Some of Kenny Jones’ most valuable basketball lessons came on the pitch for Harrison.

Jones, this week’s Peak Performer, spent his first three years at Harrison preparing for the basketball season during the fall.

But his coach, Eric Kaiser, contacted him prior to the school year with a “unique” sports suggestion.

“I texted Kenny and said, ‘What about soccer?’” Kaiser said. “… I thought about the mental aspect and taking that personal pressure off him. I’ve seen him release some of that this year. He’s developed an ‘it is what it is’ mentality, which is great for basketball. You put your confidence to your work ethic and let it shine.”

Jones said he “dabbled” in soccer as a kid, and played one year in middle school, but never in high school, let alone on varsity.

In one season as the Panthers’ keeper, Jones made 40 saves and allowed 13 goals.

Besides the 2021 Harrison team, which allowed seven goals in eight games during the COVID-shortened season, no other Panthers team allowed fewer than 17 in a year.

“They had a lot of faith in me going into the season,” Jones said. “Coach (Bridger) Stapleton helped me a lot in the first few days of practice. Then having good kids who I could practice against helped me improve. Emmanuel Sanchez is one of the best players in the state and he’d help me a lot and that prepared me for a lot of other players on other teams who weren’t as good as him. We also had Jesus (Avalos), Andrew (Sanchez) and so many talented kids on the team who helped me get better.”

Jones loathed those 13 goals finding the net and said, “that was the worst part of my day.” However, Jones didn’t let those mishaps go to waste and gained a new perspective.

“Being able to accept that you got scored on and moving on from that as fast as you could and learning to focus on the next play was valuable,” Jones said. “I brought that to basketball and I think my composure on the court has gotten better.”

Kaiser said he’s noticed the paradigm shift in Jones’ mental game. Jones averaged 15.5 points per game as a junior and now pours in 23.3 points per contest.

While watching Jones shoot during practice, Kaiser said Jones’ mindset has soared. Whether it’s Jones’ reaction after a silky step-back fadeaway, a bank shot, celebrating or guiding his teammates, his coach recognizes the difference in the senior’s swagger.

“He openly became a more confident leader this year and started using his voice,” Kaiser said. “He has that next-play mentality that I’ve seen him develop. … Last year he had a group of seniors who showed him how to lead and his work with soccer helped him display those leadership qualities on and off the court.”

Jones showcased his mental jewels following a pair of heartbreaking losses to Coronado.

As a freshman, Jones had a statement game against the Cougars and hit three 3-pointers late in the fourth quarter to lead the Panthers past Coronado 65-63.

This season, though, Jones got a dose of reality.

Twice.

Coronado’s Realiti Smith hit a game-winning 3-pointers over Jones on Jan. 10 and Feb. 1 to give the Cougars the season sweep against Harrison.

Jones flashed a smile recalling the full circle moment.

“It’s crazy how I was the young one coming into the game hitting those 3s now it’s the other way around,” Jones said. “But you can’t be mad at those situations. Sometimes the ball bounces your way and sometimes it doesn’t. You just shake it off and move on to the next one.”

After January’s loss to the Cougars, Jones scored 23 points, grabbed nine rebounds and had five assists in an 80-77 win against Pueblo East.

Following the Feb. 1 defeat, Jones had 28, eight boards and a block in a 45-42 win against Sand Creek.

“He learned how to release that pressure,” Kaiser said. “The next-game and next-play mentality that Kenny has developed over the years really benefited him well. He’s developed a strong mental edge and he continues to shine no matter the adversity.”