Eric Hampford:
Future150 GM / Senior National Analyst. Covering high and middle school basketball.
Williamsport, PA (Future150) -- In the state of Pennsylvania, it doesn't get any harder to win a state championship than at the AAAA level, which is the biggest classification in the state.
Each and every season, when the state playoff brackets are released, you can expect to find state powerhouses such as Chester, Harrisburg, Lower Merion, and York High to be just a few of the big name programs littered among the field of 32 teams.
Another one of the most prestigious programs in the history of the state is Williamsport High School, nestled in the north central mountains of the state. They have won two state titles in their illustrious history, in 1984 as well as 1999.
Some of the most talented teams the school has ever assembled came during a string of four straight District 2-4 championships from the late '90's into the early 2000's which saw the program churning out division I talent on a yearly basis.
Now, behind the play of star senior Jahad Thomas, the Millionaires are again kings of northern Pennsylvania basketball.
The 6'2", 220-pound muscular swingman has led Williamsport to a 22-2 record this season, including their first back-to-back district titles since the Millionaires teams at the turn of the century were dominating the Keystone State hardwood.
The third-team Class AAAA all-state selection from a year ago has had an outstanding senior campaign, one which should land him first-team all-state honors this season. To date, he is averaging 18 points, nine rebounds, and five assists per game this season.
The athletic wing is being courted by several division two programs in the state, while also garnering some interest from Georgia State, but he isn't concerned about all-state selections or his college destination. Right now, it's all about his team and his city.His uncle even played for the successful Williamsport teams in the late 90's.
"To me Williamsport basketball means a lot. It means to go out there and give it your all, getting in the passing lanes on defense, and sending a message. I'm just really glad I'm a Millionaire, It's a great day baby!" This, he told Future150 the day after his team defeated Scranton for the district title.
Now, the division one basketball talent has his sight set on leading his team in their first round state playoff matchup against Bethlehem Liberty on Saturday, March 9th.
The 1,000 point career scorer credits his mom with his work ethic and his success to date.
"My mother is my role model because she is a strong, independent woman and strives for success," he told me. The senior who carries a 3.1 GPA off the court, refuses to get caught up in his lack of attention from division one programs, showing exactly the type of high character kid he is.
When I asked him if he wished more big name programs showed interest in him, his response was blunt.
"Yes I do, but it is what is. It's just gonna motivate me to grind even harder."
Grinding is what Jahad Thomas does best. So far, he has grinded his way to one of the most successful careers in the storied history of Williamsport basketball, and a state championship run may just be what brings more college coaches knocking on his door.
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