By: Kiley Langford
Kolby Howard, ‘22, is a varsity two sport athlete who plays football and basketball. As of right now, Howard is training for football. Throughout his entire sports career, he’s had the dream to play football or basketball in college.
Howard says, “I want to keep playing past high school because it will allow me to do what I love for a longer time.” He has developed a passion for both sports and through this passion he believes both could potentially “provide an education” for him.
Last year, Howard spent his first year on the Varsity Boys Baksetball team as a sophomore and starting guard. He helped lead the team to a West Yosemite League Championship, 17-12 overall season, and all the way to the Division II Central Section Valley Championship game.
Going into the Valley Championship, the team was hot off a 10 game winning streak but unfortunately fell to Independence at Selland Area.
Howard as well as the rest of the team remain hopeful for season this year so they can return to that gym and this time take the title.
Howard was a key piece on the Frosh and JV teams his first two years and was prepared to move into the starting tight end position on Varsity this year.
Although the future of this year’s sports is still up in the air, Howard continues to work out at home, conditioning with the football team, and playing pick up basketball games.
Not only does Howard value his training, but he takes his academics seriously. Howard has always made sure to “put school first” so that he meets all of the sports eligibility requirements. Howard realizes the importance of managing his grades and he says by keeping his grades up he can, “focus on playing and training to my best ability without distraction.
He has hopes of majoring in “business or financing.” Howard has “always been interested in business and making money.” This is something he plans to further educate himself on while playing football or basketball at the college level.
Although Howard has worked hard throughout his football and basketball career, COVID-19 has proposed a challenge. Unfortunately, this pandemic has resulted in the cancellation of many important events when looking to be recruited for either football or basketball.
One of the biggest ways players are able to be discovered and recruited is through camps and scouts at games. Despite these events being canceled, Howard has adapted to the change. Instead, Howard says he “I send film through email and talk on the phone or in-person with coaches.” This has allowed Howard to maintain a connection with college coaches, giving him a better shot at being recruited.
As of now, Howard has had some contact with college coaches and recruiters. Unfortunately, he is unable to give us any more information on who he has been in contact with.
Not only has the pandemic posed a threat to his recruiting process and the recruiting process of many more Redwood athletes, it has also been a battle to maintain practicing throughout quarantine.
However, Howard, a determined athlete, has used the extra time to really focus on improving. He says, “I workout and train with friends”. He has continued to train to make sure when game time comes, he will be ready to perform to his best ability. The possibility of having a game has been Howard’s motivation throughout quarantine.
Howard had an amazing season last year, in both football and basketball. He has learned “anything can happen” and that “the beginning of the season does not determine the entire season.”
Howard also developed “leadership skills” as he “sat back and watched and listened.” These are important and useful learning experiences that will make Howard a better player on both fields.