Countdown to tipoff: Captain Jack ready to lead Liberty boys basketball team to more success

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LIBERTY, Ill. — Even though the first film in the series had already been out for three years and the second was released the year before, Dan Sparrow had not seen any of the “Pirates of the Caribbean” movies before choosing a name for his third child and first son.

He just liked the name Jack.

“People call me a liar, but my wife and I didn’t see anything about the ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ when we decided on a name,” Dan Sparrow said. “We went through a list of names, and we felt like Jack was just a good, strong name, so that’s what we opted for. Lo and behold, we find out all the other stuff.”

Either way, Captain Jack Sparrow has a nice ring to it.

The senior forward was named one of the captains — along with his younger brother, sophomore forward Reed Sparrow, sophomore Vince Cramsey and sophomore Tate Huber — for this year’s Eagles squad, of which Dan Sparrow is the first-year coach.

“When we talked to all of our kids, they pointed to those four as being strong leaders in what they do and how they represent themselves on and off the floor,” Dan Sparrow said.

Unlike the main character from the movies, Liberty’s Jack Sparrow is rather reserved, but that did not by any means diminish his candidacy for team captain.

“He’s actually a quiet kid for the most part,” Dan Sparrow said. “He does his leading in a different way. It’s not like a vocal leader where he’s going to be jumping at your case and doing that kind of thing. It’s more of just encouragement.”

Jack has embraced the role.

“I’m the only senior on the team, so a lot of people will look up to me like that,” Jack Sparrow said. “You just have to pick up the people who are sometimes slacking behind, make sure everyone is doing their job and that we’re getting after it.”

Jack Sparrow provides that veteran presence along with a solid 6-foot-4 frame in the post.

“He’s able to take a hit and be the enforcer around the basket,” Dan Sparrow said.

Reed Sparrow has caught up to his older brother in terms of height, and he feels that he can match Jack in the skill department, as well.

“He was better until I got a little bit bigger and matched him height wise around eighth grade,” Reed Sparrow said.

Jack begged to differ.

“I’ve always had the edge on him,” Jack Sparrow said. “I think I still do have the edge on him.”

A little friendly, brotherly competition never hurt.

“We hate to lose, especially to each other more than anyone else,” Reed Sparrow said.

Jack Sparrow said their back-and-forth translates to success on the court, not only for the Sparrows, but for the rest of the Eagles.

“We get after it at practice,” Jack Sparrow said. “When he scores on me, I’ll come right back and try to do the same. It gets really physical, and I think that carries over to the rest of the team because everybody else starts getting more physical, which is good. We can’t be going soft in practice. We have to hammer it down so we’re ready for game time.”

The Sparrows’ fellow captains provide the Eagles with dynamic athleticism and playmaking ability.

“(Cramsey) brings a lot of scoring potential,” Dan Sparrow said. “He’s got great length. He’s very agile, quick off his feet. (Huber) is quick as lightning. We’re going to be able to put the ball in his hands and make things happen. His defense is top-rate. He gets after it.”

Dan Sparrow is trusting those captains to help keep the ship on course.