Hi-Line Athlete Profile: Caden Jenkins, Havre High basketball

Heading into this season, the Havre High boys basketball team had a lot to overcome as they lost four starters from last season. However, their lone returning starter, senior Caden Jenkins looks forward to stepping up and leading the young team this winter.

"(I'm looking forward to) helping these younger guys since our team is young," Jenkins said, "(help them) build a program for the future. I just want to set an example for them."

Jenkins is one of three seniors on the team this season along with Caleb Spangler and Josh Currie. The Blue Ponies' senior leadership has been key to their first two wins of the year. In the season opening win against Laurel last week, Spangler scored 15 points while Jenkins scored 11.

"(I) had to step up and I definitely think our younger guys stepped up to help us win that game," Jenkins said about the win over Laurel.

The game of basketball is not unfamiliar for Jenkins as he grew up in a basketball family. His father played for the Ponies back in the day and his younger brother Jevin is a freshman on the varsity team. Jenkins' cousin, Kellen Detrick, was also an All-State player for the Ponies before graduating last year.

"It's just fun. I think that's the big thing for me," Jenkins said about playing with family. "It gives me confidence, especially having my brother by my side."

When he is on the court, Jenkins feels the most comfortable taking mid-range jump shots. He also likes to pass the ball around to get his teammates involved. If there is one NBA player that he tries to emulate his game off it would be Hall of Famer Larry Bird, but his favorite players are still Kobe Bryant and Derrick Rose.

Jenkins is also a multi-sport athlete as he plays baseball for the Havre Northstars American Legion baseball club in the spring and summer. Outside of sports, he loves to go fly fishing and tie flies in his spare time. After high school, he plans on attending college to major in business and journalism. While he does not plan on pursuing a career in journalism, he believes he will enjoy learning it in college.

"I just like writing and telling a story," Jenkins said. "You can tell a story from so many different perspectives."

The HHS boys basketball will finally play at home for the first time this season at Blue Pony Gymnasium this Saturday afternoon. However, the Ponies will have a tough test against a familiar foe in Billings Central. Before Jenkins gets on the court this weekend, the Havre Daily News got the chance to ask him five questions.

HDN: As the older brother, do you try to mentor your brother Jevin?

Jenkins: "Yes, I definitely mentor him. I try to push him as hard as possible because I know he has the potential to be a way better basketball player than I am."

HDN: What do you hope to teach your brother?

Jenkins: "Just hard work. No specific basketball skills. Just the mentality that he's got to put in hard work."

HDN: Do you listen to any music before a game to get yourself ready?

Jenkins: "I listen to a lot of different genres but classic rock is kind of my thing. I like some John Mellencamp but I can't think of a specific song."

HDN: Do you have a favorite sport between baseball and basketball?

Jenkins: "Basketball for sure. I think there's more exciting moments. Baseball can be a slow sport and I like the pace of basketball."

HDN: What kind of career are you hoping for after college?

Jenkins: "Guiding for fishing and hunting. That kind of stuff and then I would like to own my own fly shop eventually in life."