The Preston Pirates are off and running on a successful basketball season. 

As the second semester begins, they are ranked No. 2 in Class 2A with their only losses coming to fifth-ranked Oklahoma Christian Academy and to Class A sixth-ranked Okay in the finals of their own tournament. 

Part of the reason for that success has to go to junior point guard Jervais Goree, who is averaging 27 points and nearly five assists per game.

“He’s one of the easiest players I’ve ever coached because he’s the best player and hardest worker on the team,” said head coach Chase Littlejohn. “As a freshman, he was asked to carry a lot of the scoring load for us, which was a big ask, but last year we had a senior that really stepped up in that area, and so Jervais concentrated more on his assists but still did his share of scoring and we fell just short of making it to state. This year, we’re more balanced and he’s doing a great job in both areas.”

For Goree, it’s been all about basketball from an early age.

“I played on the playground when I was little but when I was in fourth grade a coach invited me to play AAU ball and that’s when I started taking the game seriously,” Goree said.

With the loss of senior leadership from last year, Goree has had to assume the role of team leader this year.

“I’ve had to step up more this year, particularly vocally on the floor and in practice,” he said. “I think a good leader needs to have good energy and play good defense.”

Coming into this season, Goree knows what was expected of him and what his goals for the year would be.

“As the point guard, I know coach expects me to penetrate more, and if I can’t get to the rim, to dish it out and create more shots for everyone else,” Goree said. “My goals coming into the season were to average at least 20 points a game and at least four assists per game, hit the 1000-point career mark, and make it to state. I’ve hit the 1000-point mark, and so far, I’m meeting my other goals and I think we’ve got a good shot at making state the way we’re playing.”