By Laura Amato
Jose Alvarado has always considered himself a leader.
This year he considered himself a leader and then some. The Christ the King senior star wasn’t just the statistical star of his squad, he was the emotional spark as well, the driving force on and off the court for a young Royals team.
It was a role he relished and one that’s earned him this year’s TimesLedger boys’ basketball Player of the Year honors.
“Everybody always thinks it’s easy because these guys can play, but it’s more than just passing the ball,” Alvarado said. “It’s on the court and off the court. You’ve got to make them all feel comfortable.”
Alvarado has always backed up his play with a solid work ethic, but this season he needed to find a way to walk the fine line between experience and direction. He had to pad his own stats while also making sure that his younger teammates – many of them in starting roles for the first time – didn’t miss a step against a CHSAA that challenged them every time they took the court.
As far as Alvarado was concerned, it was all about building relationships away from the game.
“I had class with them and I was in school with them,” he said. “So it was always about saying ‘what’s up’ or ‘how you doing?’ I didn’t want them to ever think I had a different mindset than them. They played really well this year.”
Of course, Alvarado’s stats backed up any talk he could have given his teammates.
The Georgia Tech-bound guard averaged a team-high 17.9 points per game and cracked the 20-point mark in 13 different contests this season.
“I knew we’d lost a good amount of scoring. So I had to focus on that and we needed somebody to score,” Alvarado said. “I also had a great teammate, Tyson Walker. I think he’s one of the best point guards out here. He did what he had to do and spot me up.”
Alvarado juggled a handful of high-school options four years ago, but he always knew Christ the King was the perfect fit and, now, with just a few weeks before he wraps up his career in Middle Village, the standout is certain he made the right choice.
This program defined him and, in turn, he hopes to help add a new chapter to the team’s storied history.
“This was my first time at Catholic school and I was a little nervous, but [coach Joe Arbitello] just told me to do what you’ve got to do,” Alvarado said. “It was the best choice I’ve ever made and I’ll never regret it. I’ll be repping Christ the King forever.”
Alvarado was disappointed with the end of his final season with the Royals – coming up short against Archbishop Stepinac in the CHSAA intersectional quarters – but, a few weeks removed from that loss, he wouldn’t change a moment of it. Or a moment of the last four years.
He knows this next step will be a challenge, but Alvarado has embraced every obstacle so far. He’s positive that isn’t going to change any time soon.
“I wouldn’t take anything back,” Alvarado said. “I can’t wait for [Georgia Tech]. I’m so ready to get out there.”
