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Julian's blue collar phenom
By Graham Couch Sports Editor
Before the opening tip of every Julian boy’s basketball game their point guard leads the team in a chant at the center of the court. Sean Dockery and his teammates begin chanting “We ready, we ready.” And they usually are. Julian’s preparation and attitude on the court stems from Dockery, their leader. The 6’3, 175-pound junior plays to win, loves to play defense and tries to keep his teammates happy. When one struggles, he picks them up. “If they make a mistake, I make them laugh or do something to make them feel good,” said Dockery. So far this season Julian has had plenty to feel good about. After an overtime win against Carver last Wednesday, the Jaguars improved to 10-5 overall and 2-0 in the Red South division of the Public League. Much of their early season success can be attributed to Dockery. However, Dockery’s skill and leadership are not a revelation. Julian Coach Loren Jackson knew he had a special player almost three years ago. “He came to me after his eighth grade graduation and started shooting 600 balls a day,” Jackson said of Dockery, a starter all three years at Julian. “Right then I knew he wanted to be the best to ever play here. He talked about the tradition and wanting to be one of those players who got his jersey retired.” It didn’t take long for Dockery to make an impact. According to Jackson, Dockery’s freshman season, with his team trailing late in the city quarterfinals, his young guard took over. A few minutes later Julian was on it’s way to the Final Four. While Jackson has only known of Dockery’s talents for a few years, his father, and his father’s friends, knew much earlier. “When I played ball 100-pounds lighter, I let Sean play with us,” said Steve Dockery, Sean’s father, who apparently is no longer at the weight he played at during his years at Central State University. “[Sean] was in sixth grade and he was doing well and I used to tell my partners, ‘don’t let him do that.’ They said, ‘We’re not, he’s doing it on his own.’” Dockery has developed into one of the premier guards in the country. He gets around 20 letters a day from prospective colleges, all wanting the services of the highly-touted true point guard. North Carolina, Duke, Florida, Missouri, Michigan State, DePaul and Marquette are just a few of the interested schools. According to Jackson, Dockery is scheduled to take the ACT in February and has the core requirements necessary for eligibility in college. However, there was word circulating that— due to his age—Dockery would not be eligible to play his senior year at Julian. His father disputes this. “I don’t know where that rumor came from,” he said. “It’s out there that he is 20 years old.” Dockery turned 18 on Jan. 5, meaning he will turn 19 after the start of his senior season. That would allow him to play under Public League rules. Despite all his attributes as a leader on the court, Dockery is normal teenager once he leaves the gym. He spends much of his free time playing “NBA 2K” on Sony Playstation with friends and hanging out with girls. And yes, being one of the top players in the nation has its benefits with the ladies. Girls throwing themselves at a star athlete? For Dockery, that’s not the route to his heart. “Some girls do. Some don’t,” he said. “I like the ones that don’t.” Even more important than friends and video games for Dockery is family. His father, especially, has been special to his growth as a person and a player. “He’s the reason I started playing basketball,” Dockery said of his father who is in his first year as the head coach at Corliss High School. “He had so much fun. He’s such a big part of my life.” Earlier this season Dockery got the better of his old man when Julian beat Corliss 85-68. Dockery even has something in common with Michael Jordan. And no, it’s not a silky smooth jump-shot or a cross-over dribble that is almost unfair. Although those are not bad. Dockery is planning a return to baseball this spring. Last time he stepped foot on a baseball diamond he threw a no-hitter as a 15-year-old playing Public League summer ball. Of course he will not give up basketball. It’s still his favorite sport and the one he is best at. Dockery said he understands this may be his last chance to play organized baseball for a while and he doesn’t want to give it up. Then Dockery will hang up the cleats and glove and focus on college hoops and head off to one of the return addresses on the many letters he has received. Back to top | Home Webmaster: Sal J. Barry The Columbia Chronicle is a student produced publication of Columbia College Chicago and does not necessarily represent, in whole or in part, the views of Columbia College administrators, faculty or students. |
January 16, 2001
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