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Hillcrest’s Crishawn Haggard has put himself on the map this season.
“Crishawn is a great player, Crishawn has really put in the work the last two years, and I really think he’s kind of cemented himself as one of the best players in Southwest Missouri,” said Hornets head coach Jordan Fielding.
“I always set another goal after I reach one. Once I hit a goal I’m never satisfied,” Haggard said.
Crishawn Haggard’s freshman year he wanted to score 1,000 points.
“A lot of people didn’t think I could reach it. I wasn’t fast, I couldn’t create like I can now,” said Haggard.
The Hillcrest senior hit that thousand mark and he’s on to the next.
“The next goal is to win as many games as possible, and win districts,” Haggard said.
“Last year it really started, when things didn’t go well for us, he was the one trying to lead by example. He would stay and put in the work and do everything he needed to do to be better,” said Fielding.
Hard work and dedication has helped him reach these goals.
“I usually get up at 5:30, hit the gym at 6, make 300-400 threes, and after that I go home, get something to eat, come to school, do schoolwork, come to practice,” said Haggard.
And basketball has helped him with everything else.
“Coming from where I come from, it’s rough, so basketball is always an outlet, and a way for me to feel like I can make it somewhere, something I’m good at,” Haggard said.
Now he hopes to inspire others coming up after him.
“I just want to be the best role model, especially for the kids on the north side. Anybody who wants to make it big, or just have dreams playing basketball, just keep grinding. Don’t worry about the outside noise, because really all that matters is you staying in the gym and being the best person you can be,” said Haggard.
But more than anything, his motivation comes from his passion.
“I don’t know, I just love the game. I love practicing and getting better. I want to take basketball as far as I can, I want to play basketball for as long as possible,” Haggard said.
