By Derrick Smith 

Jaken Weedn has had numerous people that have been a part of his life. While each of them played a role in who he is, some had a much bigger impact than others. He says that there are a few that he still looks up to as role models.

“My parents have always had the biggest influence on my life and they are my biggest role models,” he said. “They taught me my work ethic both on the basketball floor and in the classroom. Another would have to be Mrs. Bivens. She was an excellent math teacher and taught me robotics and coding.”

Weedn is a junior at Glencoe High School. He is a shooting guard for the Panthers. He has a pretty good reason why basketball is key in his life.

“My dad is a basketball coach,” he said. “So I have always been around the game of basketball and played the game of basketball as far back as I can remember.”

While he has been around the game most of his life, Jaken has also invested a lot in order to become the best player that he can be. 

“The road to being successful is not easy, but it can be worth it,” he said. “It takes hard work, dedication, and consistency. Those are the keys to the success that I have experienced on the basketball court.”

Over the length of his career, Jaken has been a part of a lot of memorable games and reached some great personal achievements. There are a few that stand out as his favorite. 

“It is difficult to choose a single highlight moment in my high school career,” he said. “I have had many 30-plus point games during my freshman and sophomore seasons, with a career-high of 34.  The most efficient game I have played would be a playoff win over #12 ranked Ripley, as I scored 28 points on nine of 10 shooting. I hit all seven three-pointers that I shot and I made three of four free throws.”

Along with sports, Weedn is also a part of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the student council, the academic team, and National Honor Society.