A-K Valley Senior Spotlight: Springdale’s Jackson Pribanic

By: Ted Sarneso
Monday, February 12, 2024 | 11:46 AM

Coming into basketball season, Jackson Pribanic set three goals for the year.

The first was to be named a team captain. He was voted to the position by his Springdale teammates at the start of the season.

“He leads by example, from the front,” coach Kobe Phillippi said. “It was just his hard work, getting it done in the gym. He worked this summer for a roofing company and then would come to the summer league practice at night. The work he put in is paying off now.”

“Just to be a leader, be someone that could take them further, I wanted to be that for them,” Pribanic said.

Pribanic demonstrated his leadership not just on the court but when the team was doing charitable yard work at the Rachel Carson Homestead in Springdale.

“He was there directing the team what to do and where to be,” Phillippi said. “Showing them how to efficiently rake leaves. The kids were really paying attention, and that’s just one way he’s gotten them to notice his leadership skills.”

Pribanic’s second goal was to further his teammates experiences.

Heading into the last week of the regular season, the Dynamos were 14-6 overall with a 5-5 record in Section 3-2A, fighting for a playoff spot. It’s a big improvement from last year’s 9-13, 3-9 record that saw them finish sixth in the section and out of the playoffs.

“We were underdeveloped skill and maturity-wise,” Pribanic said. “This year, we feel more like a team, especially the second half of the year. It shows that the guys really care right now.”

Pribanic’s final goal was to get to the playoffs and grab that first playoff win that has eluded this senior class for the last four years.

“We’re pretty hungry. We want to go out there and get that first one,” Pribanic said. “Not just for us, but for our coach as well because he brought us all together.”

Pribanic took a few minutes for a Senior Spotlight Q-and-A.

What do you feel is the strongest part of your game?

My willingness to work. I have a decent offensive and defensive ability, but if I just put my head to it, I can put up a good showing against anyone on the floor.

Do you relish being the guy that works extremely hard and does the little things well?

I do relish it. Anything I can do to help the team win, although it might not get mentioned or be on the stat sheet, as long as my teammates and coach sees it, that’s all that matters. That’s what keeps me going.

What was it like roofing during the day and then going to summer league practice at night?

It was doing work for my dad. I appreciate doing that. It gave me learning experiences. Being in the sun all day starting at 5 a.m. for 12-14 hours, it was tough, but it was worth it. Then going out at night and enjoying the time with my coaches and teammates, that meant the world to me.

College plans?

I am attending IUP with a major in marketing and a minor in economics.

Favorite high school memory so far?

It was a big honor when I was selected for all-section in soccer. That means a lot to me. We have a rich history in soccer at Springdale, and that’s something I take huge pride in. Soccer’s a sport that always came first for me, was free flowing and I understood the game more.

One fact about yourself that would surprise people to know?

I’m not there to put myself first. If I ever show up, it’s to put something bigger or someone else before me. I’m always second.

One piece of advice you would want to leave your teammates before graduating?

Enjoy it while you have it now. It’s in the palm of your hands now, but the next day, it’s going to be gone in a matter of no time. I remember laughing on the bench with my friends as a freshman when the game really didn’t matter to me. In two months, I’ll be walking across the stage graduating with my friends.