NORWOOD, MO - In the history of Norwood basketball, no one has ever been better than Riley Jenkins.
Earlier this season the senior broke the school's scoring record of 2,034 points. Although he tried not to think about the record, sometimes it was hard to ignore.
"I was like I don't really want to know, but if it was just me and my mom I was like how close am I?"
The success comes as no surprise to his coach, because he's also his dad. Morris Jenkins saw the potential in his son at a young age.
"I remember when he was a kindergardner they'd bounce down the steps after school. And they'd immediately get a basketball. They wouldn't visit, they'd get a ball and at that point we thought these kids like to play and they've got a chance to be good players someday."
Having your dad as your coach can pose some unique challenges, but Riley wouldn't have it any other way.
"I love having my dad on the sideline with me. I know what he wants done. Sometimes I don't do it, but I know what he wants done. Really in the end it just makes you better. I really appreciate what he's done."
As Riley's high school career winds down, both father and son realize that their time together on the court is also drawing to a close.
"I'd be lying if I said that hasn't crossed my mind. It'll be an emotional time. I've heard different people say when they get to the point they're moving on, it's something to be thankful for. It'll be emotional and I'll miss him, but I'm glad he'll have opportunities to move on."
"It's going to be tough. I don't think he'll ever quit being my dad or my coach."
Norwood senior Riley Jenkins is this week's Arby's High School Athlete of the Week.
Earlier this season the senior broke the school's scoring record of 2,034 points. Although he tried not to think about the record, sometimes it was hard to ignore.
"I was like I don't really want to know, but if it was just me and my mom I was like how close am I?"
The success comes as no surprise to his coach, because he's also his dad. Morris Jenkins saw the potential in his son at a young age.
"I remember when he was a kindergardner they'd bounce down the steps after school. And they'd immediately get a basketball. They wouldn't visit, they'd get a ball and at that point we thought these kids like to play and they've got a chance to be good players someday."
Having your dad as your coach can pose some unique challenges, but Riley wouldn't have it any other way.
"I love having my dad on the sideline with me. I know what he wants done. Sometimes I don't do it, but I know what he wants done. Really in the end it just makes you better. I really appreciate what he's done."
As Riley's high school career winds down, both father and son realize that their time together on the court is also drawing to a close.
"I'd be lying if I said that hasn't crossed my mind. It'll be an emotional time. I've heard different people say when they get to the point they're moving on, it's something to be thankful for. It'll be emotional and I'll miss him, but I'm glad he'll have opportunities to move on."
"It's going to be tough. I don't think he'll ever quit being my dad or my coach."
Norwood senior Riley Jenkins is this week's Arby's High School Athlete of the Week.
