Desmar Jackson

Harding's Desmar Jackson

Video

Warren Harding senior Desmar Jackson has never stepped foot on campus at the University of Wyoming.

But he already knows what a college game feels like.

Jackson, the Raiders’ 6-foot-5 combo guard, was the biggest reason Harding advanced to its first state semifinal since 1966, stepping up his game after the team lost guard Sheldon Brogdon to injury at midseason.

Then, on the biggest stage of his career, he erupted for 29 points in a loss to eventual state champion Columbus Northland at Ohio State’s Value City Arena.

“My favorite experience was playing the state championship [weekend],” said Jackson, the soft-spoken son of former Harding standout Omar Provitt. “You don’t get the chance to play in that type of environment [often].

“It was basically like a college game. Jam-packed.”

After two years at Warren JFK, where he helped the Eagles’ football team to the Division V state championship as a sophomore wide receiver, Jackson transferred to Warren Harding to focus on basketball.

His breathtaking athleticism — Jackson seems less affected by gravity than normal human beings — and his feel for the game helped him emerge as a versatile playmaker on the Valley’s two most talented teams of the past decade. The Raiders won two straight district titles and, if not for a controversial loss to Lakewood St. Edward in 2008, would have won two straight regional titles.

“I had really good teammates here,” said Jackson, who averaged 20 points, four rebounds, four assists and three steals. “And the coaches were great, making sure you do the right thing.

“I’m really happy I came here to finish out my high school career.”

His next step is Wyoming, a Mountain West School that has 14 trips to the NCAA Tournament, including a national title in 1943.

Jackson didn’t even visit the campus before verbally committing during the season.

“It’s the next step in my chapter,” he said. “It’s something I’ve got to do and I’m ready for the challenge.”