Optimistic attitude drives Warriors boys hoopsters on the hardwood

CLS Boys Basketball photos

By Shaun Scott, Puyallup Tribal News

Chief Leschi boys basketball coach David Jenkins Jr. isn’t the kind of coach who only cares about wins and losses.

Jenkins, who played for the University of Utah, University of Nevada Las Vegas and Purdue University throughout his collegiate hoops career, is determined to ensure his players succeed off and on the court. Jenkins grew up just down the road in Tacoma and is a proud 2016 alumnus of Wilson High School, since renamed Silas High School.

“It is essential to stay consistent with certain habits. Honestly, for me, it is really about teaching them certain things that are going to help them not only with basketball, but with their future endeavors in general,” Jenkins said. “The biggest thing in life is staying consistent with your habits and what you are doing. I believe the things you are doing off the court will translate onto the court.”

The Warriors, who captured their first victory of the 2024-25 season against North Beach on Jan. 22, are the kind of team who takes pride in their hard work and physical fitness. Jenkins’ keen focus on physical conditioning is one of the Warriors’ hallmarks. They don’t get outhustled and they don’t get tired. Warriors’ senior Kevin Gallo-Paul said running lines and constant sprints are the norm throughout practice sessions.

“We do a lot of running. It’s been different and challenging,” Gallo-Paul said.
Jenkins said the sport of basketball at the end of the day is about being in shape.

“You can have guys that may not be as skillful, but if they are in shape you can outrun teams,” he said.

Warriors senior Jaevion Taraya is leaving it all on the floor in his final year of high school basketball with his friends he grew up with.

“I have been enjoying it a lot and am learning how to be a leader and be more patient with things. I’m just a quiet guy who likes to help them (teammates) out,” Taraya said.

With the regular season schedule inching closer to completion in early February, Jenkins wants to see his guys continue to move in the right direction as the season concludes.

“At this point it’s not about wins and losses for me, it’s helping them build habits, not just in basketball, but as young men that are going to help them in their next years as sophomores, juniors and seniors, and when they get out of high school, as well,” Jenkins said.

The 2024-25 Warriors varsity roster consists of Dakota Case, Joseph Earl, Treshaunjaye-Shepard Alexander, Jaevion Taraya, Dontae Simmons, Dyami Jacobsen, Kevin Gallo-Paul, Gorden Wright, Tobiahs Davis-McCloud, Anthony Castillo, Malachi Mowat, Harold Chad Tom and Malakai Basillo.