Hernandez points way for South Houston
Trojans 16-1 since senior’s return from illness
Most kids would be overcome with anxiety if they had to miss nearly two months of their favorite sport.
Nick Hernandez is not like most kids. Always a mature leader among his peers, the South Houston senior knew the beginning of this season was no time to sulk just because he could not be on the basketball court.
Hernandez, a two-time all-district pick for the Trojans, missed a bulk of the non-district schedule with a serious case of the flu. Two practices a day and late nights full of homework deprived him of needed rest.
He said he did not recognize or even feel the symptoms so he kept pushing it. Hernandez eventually felt overheated and would sweat for seemingly no reason.
Doctor knows best
Diagnosed with the flu, which was accompanied by an extreme fever, Hernandez was told by his doctor to stay off the court.
“We were really scared for a while, but we took the proper procedures,” Hernandez said. “I took time to appreciate that I was now a student of the game. I didn’t come into every practice feeling down about the fact I couldn’t play. I saw it as a time to learn.”
That learning appears to have paid off. South Houston is 16-1 since Hernandez’s return Dec. 11. Counting four victories in a row before that, the Trojans have won 20 of their last 21 games.
Their biggest test comes Friday when they host Pearland Dawson in a matchup of District 22-6A co-leaders. The winner clinches the district title.
For South Houston, it would be the third in school history and first since 2011. The Trojans (23-8, 13-1) beat Dawson 52-47 on the road Jan. 12.
Hernandez likely will be a huge factor if the Trojans are going to complete the sweep. In 17 games, the 6-4 forward is averaging 10.5 points and 5.7 rebounds.
The numbers look modest, but Trojans coach Patrick McCoy said Hernandez’s biggest contributions are intangible.
“It’s his demeanor, his competitiveness,” McCoy said. “He’s calm on the court. His leadership is what our kids need. They look to him late in the game for defense and rebounding. That’s what we were struggling with early in the season. Once he got back, everyone relaxed, and the kids realized they were good now.”
Hernandez always has been a talented player, but it hasn’t translated to much college interest. He said he has been talking to one college coach but has yet to receive a scholarship offer
If that offer never comes, Hernandez won’t let it get him down. He is in the top 8 percent of his class academically and hopes to pursue a degree in physical education so he can become a coach.
Saving his best for last
In the meantime, Hernandez is glad to be back on the court. He is cherishing his team’s upcoming opportunity and is happy that he has at least a couple of more weeks to play with teammates he says are as close as brothers.
“This could be it for me. I realize that,” Hernandez said. “I’m completely OK with it. I’m willing to leave everything on the line with my team trying to make history.”