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Slam dunk

Hubbard high jumper Southern also plays basketball for Eagles

Tribune Chronicle / John Vargo Jared Southern of Hubbard clears the high jump bar during the All-American Conference White Tier meet held Monday at Poland.

POLAND — Jared Southern loves basketball.

The Hubbard High School junior loves the swishing sound the ball makes going through the hoop. The accomplishment is like no other.

He brings that same passion when he competing in the high jump.

The two-time Trumbull County Champion shares his love of the game as he waits for each attempt.

“Usually when I’m talking to people that are at the higher heights with me, I like to talk about basketball, because they do play,” Southern said.

“Like different dunks you like to do and different moves. Pick their head because I like basketball. That’s pretty much it.”

Hubbard jumps coach Jim Phibbs said Southern stays calm, cool and collected, which works well for athletes in this event.

“He’s running around the field playing basketball,” Phibbs said. “He was jumping at the goal post earlier trying to dunk.

“He just enjoys the sport.”

Phibbs said Southern, who is 6-feet, 165 pounds, has the athletic ability for the high jump, but his form isn’t so great. His height on his jumps compensates for that setback.

His love of basketball pays off in the spring.

“Kids these days play one sport and one sport only, while Jared is a multi-sport athlete. I think that helps him tremendously,” Phibbs said.

Southern finished second at Monday’s All-American Conference White Tier meet at Poland with a jump of 6-feet. Struthers’ Kylel Griffin took first because of fewer misses.

The weather hasn’t been warm enough where Southern has the opportunity to jump 6-6 like he’s done in practice. He’s reached 6-2 in a meet.

Getting to the Division II state meet in Columbus on June 2-3 is his focus.

“Just to get down there at least and experience Jesse Owens Stadium,” Southern said.

So who does he pretend he is when he’s playing basketball? Cleveland Cavaliers’ guard Kyrie Irving?

“You’d like to dream to be like that,” Southern said. “I’ll never be like that. They’re pretty good.”

He just has fun playing the game he loves.

“Thinking about the different things I can do like dunking,” Southern said.

“That’s always fun, the adrenaline rush you get from it. It’s just fun to me. It relaxes me.”

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