Jones High School’s Luke DeBusk – Baseball Spotlight – Presented by Blue & Gold Sausage Co.

Jones is a community where everyone knows and supports one another. Luke DeBusk is a student-athlete at Jones High School who sees this support firsthand. “I’ve grown up in this town and been able to watch all the players before me. In towns like this the whole town knows you. Jones proudly supports all of the programs here, and it’s made JHS a great place,” he said.

Luke is a junior who plays catcher and first base on the JHS baseball team. He started playing baseball when he was four years old.

He is a strong athlete who says his strengths are his bat and leadership skills. “I can hit it to all sides of the field and can adjust to any pitch I need to.” Becoming a more vocal leader for the team is a role Luke is growing into and continues to develop.

Being a student-athlete comes with rewards but also many challenges. Dealing with adversity and overcoming it is one challenge Luke has faced. Athletics teach students to persevere, helping them to face challenges.

Luke works diligently to maintain his academic and athletic goals. This is not always easy but it is a necessary part of being a student-athlete. The accomplishment Luke is most proud of is being in the National Honor Society while excelling as a multi-sport athlete.

The support from parents, coaches and fans makes the difficulties of playing baseball worth it. “It means a lot to me. Especially my parents being there for me every step of the way. It’s been fun getting and giving support to the young fans here. I remember what it was like to be in their shoes,” says Luke.

The bonds built on the baseball field are what he loves most about his teammates. Off the field, Luke is most inspired by his dad. “He’s always pushed me to be at my best. He’s always got my back.”

Preparation is key to success in any sport. Practice and dedication are a must. It is also important to be mentally ready. Part of Luke’s game prep is simply staying relaxed. “I just get in the right state of mind, whether it’s with music or just staying calm and preparing myself mentally,” he says.

After high school, Luke wants to attend college on a sports scholarship and obtain a degree. Most importantly, he says, is to do his best at becoming a successful human being.