22 Jan 2014 Beck provides all-around leadership
by Levi Gilbert
It’s been circled on the basketball calendar from the very beginning, and Wonderview’s John Beck is looking forward to it. Sacred Heart is on the schedule Tuesday.
“Our county rivals, Sacred Heart and Nemo Vista, always make for good matchups,” Beck said. “We’re all at the top of the conference usually.”
Beck, a junior guard for Wonderview, was selected to the inaugural 501 Basketball Team after being nominated by his coach, Jerod Squires.
“John is a great leader,” Squires wrote in his nomination. “He leads by example as well as being a vocal leader. He is a very fierce competitor and will do whatever our team needs to be successful.
“Just like John is a leader on the court, he is also a great leader at school and in the community. He’s always willing to help others and leads by serving others.”
Beck led Wonderview in scoring last season and was second on the team in rebounds. His performance as a sophomore earned him all-conference, all-region and all-state honors. It was quite the campaign, and he has his hands full to try and top that in his junior season.
“I have high expectations for John this year as he looks to build off of what he did last year,” Squires said. “John made a commitment to the weight room this summer so he could be a stronger, more physical player. I expect John to continue to be that leader for this team this year.”
Before his successful sophomore run, Beck was part of an impressive season in the ninth grade.
“Two years ago in my ninth grade year, we went undefeated. That was pretty special in junior high. We went all the way 24-0.”
As good as Beck has been on the court, he may be even more impressive on the baseball field. He earned all-state honors last year in baseball, too.
“Baseball is what I want to pursue after high school, hopefully,” Beck said. “I pitch and play infield.”
Despite all his success, Beck’s focus on the court has nothing to do with physical talents.
“I just want to be the best teammate I can and to lead my team as a point guard into the battle and to keep that mentality in every game,” Beck said. “We want to win championships — conference, district, regional and state championships.”
Beck’s interpersonal qualities transcend the court and are a major reason why Squires nominated him.
“John makes others around him better by lifting them up and bringing out the best qualities in those around him both on the court and in the classroom,” Squires said. “To me, that quality is what makes a great leader in whatever one does.”
