It was a great day for Camp Verde’s Jason Collier as the Cowboys guard was named 2A Central Player of the Year in basketball.
“Winning player of the year felt great, it was nice to get recognized by the coaches,” Collier said. “I definitely thought I had the ability to because of my confidence and the work I had put in.”
Collier also earned a spot on the 2A all-state second team.
“My mom is the biggest reason I am where I am. She took me to the gym before I could drive,” Collier said. “She would drop me off before going to work and always made sure I got my shots up.”
Under coach Dan Wall’s tutelage, Collier helped Camp Verde improve 16 games from last season.
“Wall is a great coach because he expects a lot from us and has a game plan for everything,”
Collier said. “It is why he has won Regional Coach of the Year for the second consecutive year.”
Collier thanked Cowboys teacher and assistant coach Jeff Luera as well.
“I also want to shout out coach Luera for helping me mature both as a player and as a person,” Collier said. “He will open up the gym for me at six in the morning and put in the work with me whenever I need it.”
Collier averaged 23 points on 49 percent shooting and helped lead the Cowboys to a 26-4 record.
“I am upset with the way our season ended because I am certain we could have advanced further,” Collier said. “However, I am excited to get back in the gym for my senior season.”
With the Cowboys returning five of their six leading scorers, Collier said he has big plans for the 2019-2020 season.
“I could see us going all the way next year. It is a big goal but it is our only goal,” he said. “For myself, I want to add weight and improve my overall athleticism.”
After not playing his freshmen year, Collier came back his sophomore season and led the Cowboys with 15.4
points per game.
“I did not even make varsity until the end of my freshman year and that really messed with me,” Collier said. “I thought I deserved a spot when I did not, so I spent countless hours in the gym heading into my sophomore
year.”
Collier’s sophomore campaign earned him a spot on the 2018 2A Central all-region second team.
Since being moved up to varsity, Collier has amassed over 1,000 points and led the 2A Central region in scoring in 2019.
Collier also led the region in 3-pointers converted at 88-227, or 39 percent.
When Collier is not on the hardwood, he enjoys watching reigning NBA MVP James Harden of the Houston Rockets.
“I love watching him play because of all of his scoring outbursts this year,” Collier said. “He has led his team to a great year despite the injuries his team has had.”
Collier had many scoring outbursts of his own this season, scoring at least 30 points in seven games.
The Camp Verde guard almost outscored an entire team by himself when he rack up 39 points in the Cowboys’ 83-48 win against Williams High School on Dec. 8, 2018.
“Camp Verde basketball had not been good for a while, so hopefully we can leave a lasting legacy,” Collier said. “I hope we can inspire the kids under us that are coming up in the program.”
One play Collier said he will remember fondly this season came in the Cowboys’ 70-58 win over Parker High School on Dec. 29, 2018.
“I had previously hit two 3-pointers, so I was ready to shoot when Abelardo [Gonzalez] found me in the corner,” Collier said. “I shot it from behind the backboard and everyone was going crazy while I got back on defense.”
For Collier, basketball is a gateway and a remedy for life’s everyday issues.
“Basketball is always there for you and is a great way to clear your mind, even if you are upset,” Collier said. “It it always a quest to improve and reach your potential.”
Collier is averaging 19 points per game during his Camp Verde tenure.
