At 6-foot-6, Jamarion Warren is an imposing figure in the middle for the Stigler Panthers basketball team. But last year when he became a starter, the senior was slow out of the gate according to his coach Chris Parker. “Jamarion struggled in the early part of the season last year but over the Christmas break it was like someone flipped a light switch and he just kind of went nuts when he came back and finished the season strong. He was a double-double machine and ended up being one of our better players averaging around eight points, 10 rebounds and three blocks a game and becoming our best defender.” 

According to Warren that holiday break just gave him time to do some introspection, “I think last year I heard a lot of doubters question my ability early on, so when I came back, I just set out to prove them wrong,” said Jamarion who also plays wide out and corner back in football. He didn’t really start playing roundball until around the sixth grade after watching some older cousins play and he has developed a one-of-a-kind leadership ethic to go along with his basketball abilities. “I’ve coached for 26 years and he’s one of the best kids I’ve ever had practice-wise,” said Parker. “He always comes with a smile on his face and a good attitude and sets an example with his hard work. I told one of my assistants the other day, ‘You better get a good look at “J” because we won’t ever coach a kid like that again.’ He’ll be terribly missed when he’s gone.” When the discussion turns to role models, Warren says he doesn’t have to look far for that example. “Will Rose (the only other senior on the team) is probably the guy I look up to. He’s real vocal and enthusiastic about what he does. He’s a friendly guy who always tries to help people in and out of basketball.” Jamarion also takes part in drama at Stigler High and has some accolades in that area as well. “I started drama last year and we won a state championship for one-act plays and this year I’m part of our Christmas production.” As far as the upcoming season, Warren says he would like to get a triple-double and help lead the team to state and with all their starters returning, anything is possible for the Panthers.