Focus is Key For Jaysean Morgan’s Journey

POUGHKEEPSIE – Jaysean Morgan Sr. has his sights set on his future and knows what he needs to do to get there.

“I’ve got a bigger goal than high school basketball. I know I have to put in the time in other areas to get myself better,” said January’s athlete of the month and a shooting guard for the Pioneers.

Morgan wants to play basketball in college and, while it is too early to pick a career, said he likes economics so that is a possibility.

During the off-season he ran track with his brother “to get my stamina higher because I was bad at that. I also did pushups and worked out in the weight room.”

Last year, when instruction was largely remote, Morgan struggled a bit with his academics and therefore didn’t get much court time.

“This year helped me because I knew that to play I had to perform in the classroom. I increased my focus so I pay attention more and limit the distractions,” he said. “I learned that to get what you want you have to limit your distractions and work hard on yourself. Sometimes that means losing friends but you need to better yourself to succeed in life.”

Morgan’s character and skills on the court is why Coach Cody Moffett nominated him for the recognition.

“Honestly, the first thing is that he had a lot of potential and he’s a great kid,” Moffett said, adding, “Every coach wants to help a coachable kid. He has good character and a love for basketball.”

While basketball and academics take up much of his time, Morgan volunteers as part of the team to help in the community. In November he joined other athletes to help cleanup around the city.

For younger students who are contemplating joining a team, Morgan had this piece of advice:

“If you want to be on the court or the field, academics have to come first, you have to really pay attention to get where you want you have to work hard and no one can stop you.”

Congratulations, Jaysean, for being chosen as January 2022’s Poughkeepsie High School Athlete of the Month.