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Branco Is Always Striving To Improve

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By CLIFF GILL

Tribune correspondent

Published: August 17, 2008

HUDSON - Hudson High freshman Jamal Branco hasn't officially played a minute of basketball at the varsity or junior varsity level, but the Branco name is well known in Pasco County.

Last season, older brother Jerrod Branco had the 15th-highest scoring average (21.3 ppg) in the state, according to MaxPreps. Standing at 5-foot-11, Jerrod averaged 5.8 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 3.8 steals per game. The first-team Tribune All-Pasco County point guard is returning for his senior year with the Cobras, and he has received interest from colleges in Florida and other states.

Jamal is hoping to follow in Jerrod's footsteps.

"Since age 5, I've wanted to be a great basketball player like my brother," Jamal Branco said. "He works hard, and I have tried to do the same."

The younger Branco, also a point guard, has followed a disciplined conditioning program of running and weightlifting. He also trains using plyometrics, an intense workout routine that builds power, speed and agility. The most common of those exercises include hops, jumps and bounding movements, which Jamal credits for improving his reaction time, giving him a quicker first step and increasing his vertical leap to more than 20 inches.

Branco's basketball regimen includes taking 300 shots and 100 free throws per day.

"My father helped me set this goal," he said. "It's difficult, but it gives me a target."

Branco also spends a minimum of an hour each day improving his ball-handling skills. He has developed a move he calls an inside-out, crossover dribble, where he fakes one direction to draw a defender, then moves in the opposite direction to drive to the basket or pass to a teammate.

"Jamal has a lot of natural ability at the point-guard position," said Cobras varsity coach Jason Vetter. "He has the necessary skills and intelligence. He can be a special player at our school."

At Hudson Middle School, Branco led his squad to a 10-2 record in seventh grade and a 9-1 mark as an eighth-grader. He averaged more than nine assists and eight points per game.

"Jamal was a great student-athlete here at HMS. A true coach on the floor," said his middle school coach, Bill Nero. "His leadership qualities were a major contribution to the team. Jamal was always uplifting other players on the team with his positive advice."

Branco also is an outstanding athlete in football and baseball. As the quarterback for his junior high football team, he once threw four touchdown passes in a game, and he had a rushing average of 5.1 yards per carry, according to Coach Tony Qualtiere.

Branco's pitching credentials include throwing a no-hitter. He plans to take those abilities and use them in each sport at Hudson High.

Entering high school, Branco is determined to maintain his straight-A average in the classroom. Last year, he was the recipient of the American Legion Award for his outstanding academic achievements.

"My parents taught me the importance of having good study habits," Branco said. "Regardless of how well I do in sports, one of the foundations for success in life is to obtain a good education."

At his church's Vacation Bible School, Branco volunteers as an assistant teacher. While working with 6- to 10-year-olds, he leads discussions on various family issues, such as divorce and addiction.

Branco also volunteers to help struggling families. He was part of a group at his church that collected canned goods and clothes. At a local pregnancy center, he has helped remodel the facilities, and he also helped put together bags containing beans and rice for the homeless.

"These efforts made me realize that many people need help," he said. "It's easy to turn and look the other way, but the only solution is, put words into action by helping others."

Teachers, coaches: If you would like to nominate an outstanding student-athlete to be featured in an upcoming In The Community article, contact Cliff Gill at reportercliffgill@yahoo.com or (727) 860-4903.

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