Crow accepts leadership role
11/18/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
But, the banner raising ceremony will be especially meaningful to senior team co-captain Josten Crow.
The only fourth-year player on the 2010-11 men's basketball team, Crow knows that, in order for the Kats to successfully defend the championship the banner represents, he must be a leader for the younger players. In practice, Crow quietly makes adjustments. He knows his teammates will look to him both on and off the floor, as they look to improve.
"We come out with the mindset that this is our year and no one can take it from us," said Crow.
As a part of a squad that rolled up a 25-8 record last season, Crow was the "glue" to the championship team, according to teammates and coaches. The competitive streak in this season's Bearkat team will start from its senior leadership and the glue that keeps it together.
"Josten is a behind the scenes guy, always working to get better" head coach Jason Hooten said. "He's an excellent defender and a guy who does a lot of dirty work."
Hooten recruited Crow in 2006 from Westfield High School in the Houston area. But Hooten was especially impressed with Crow's tenacity on a small AAU team. His efficiency as a player showed in his 60 percent shooting and seven rebounds per game at Westfield.
However, Hooten knew Crow wouldn't be able to play in the post consistently on the Division I level. So the coaching staff offered him a chance to walk-on for one year to earn his scholarship.
Crow's family was excited about the opportunity, but he was still a bit skeptical. He was too family-oriented to let his parents pay for college, especially if he had other options.
After the Naval Academy Prep School offered Crow a spot on its roster for the 2007 season, he called Hooten to give him the news.
"We were disappointed," Hooten said. "Yet we're going, 'man what kind of kid is that' to not want to do that to his family."
Family always played an influential role in Crow's life. His cousin, who is incarcerated now, showed Crow the ropes as a basketball player. He learned fundamentals like how to bend his knees on his jump shot. Crow says his cousin even taught him how to treat a lady.
"All the experiences I had with him shaped me into who I am today," said Crow. "I remember he taught me to shake woman's hand. Stuff like that I'll never forget.
"He was his own man, wasn't a follower. He had a cool demeanor about himself; I try to do the same thing. He was never rattled so I try to perform like that."
At Navy Prep, Crow averaged 22.1 points and more than six assist over the season, as the team's point guard. Crow even scored 44 points in a game. But Crow was a bit homesick, so he reconnected with SHSU.
"It just worked out," Hooten said. "We had a scholarship to give and we gave it to him. I watched a bunch of tape of him playing the point. For a guy who developed inside out, he's as improved as any guy I've ever coached."
Crow is also a dedicated to his academics. While at Navy Prep, he knew his credits wouldn't transfer to Sam Houston and he would have to start all over as a freshman. He took courses like calculus and chemistry that were tough on him.
But Crow, with his hatred for losing, didn't quit on the books. He finished the year out strong and we he came to Sam Houston, he finished his undergraduate education in three years.
Now, Crow is taking graduate courses in finance, which he admits is difficult. Yet, he still wants to win, not just in basketball but as a person too.
"Josten Crow. I'm a leader. I'm laid back and down to earth. I hate losing and hopefully we can make some more history at Sam Houston."
Sam Houston State plays four big home games at Johnson Coliseum in an eight-day stretch beginning Wednesday, Dec. 1, against Saint Thomas. The other three games are against the University of Houston on Saturday, Dec. 4; North Texas on Wednesday, Dec. 8 and Cleveland State on Saturday, Dec. 11.
The official championship banner raising will highlight the Dec. 8 game with North Texas at 7 p.m.
The contest with the Houston Cougars will be a 2 p.m. Southland TV network game. Saturday, Dec. 11 is a 3:30 p.m. tip.
