All he needs to do on the court is react

Amiri Atkins says he doesn’t like to think on the basketball court — just react.

It’s not that he can’t think, as the Bishop Eustace Preparatory School senior is one of the best chess players in his high school. Different games just require different tactics to end up king.

“In basketball, I try not to think because if I think too much because I might mess up the play,” Atkins says with a laugh. “It’s the opposite for me in chess. It’s weird. Chess helps me stimulate the brain. Basketball is more instinct and reaction for me.”

Atkins has been a proud member of Bishop Eustace’s chess team since he arrived there freshman year. At the same time, he’s been grinding away on the basketball court and patiently waiting for his opportunity to play a bigger role for the successful program. Atkins had to wait his turn as an underclassman behind some talented older classmates on highly competitive teams.

Now, it’s his turn to shine.

“It’s been a great four years here and I really had to climb the ladder,” Atkins said. “It’s been a long journey with a lot of obstacles, there used to be 10 seniors and juniors here during my sophomore year. I had to fight for time.”

Atkins is the lone senior left after the Crusaders were hit hard by graduation last year, as five experienced players left with diplomas. His patience paid off as Atkins will be relied upon heavily this winter.

“I’m counting on (Atkins) for leadership, scoring, defense, and helping the young guys keep their composure,” Pennsauken Crusaders coach Bob Falconiero said. “We’re really leaning on him. I’m pushing him hard in practice. He doesn’t like it all the time but I’m giving him the biggest role I can give him.”

Atkins is making good of the opportunity, giving a maximum effort at practices and games, while pushing even harder at home with the weights.

“When I’m not doing homework, I’m in my workout room in my house, doing slide drills and defensive steps and squats,” Atkins said. “Coach says I need to be the best defensive player out there so I need to stay in shape all the time for that.”

Although basketball is a team sport, Atkins thrives on the one-on-one competition mentally, just like in chess. He is a defensive specialist on the court, often marking the best player on the other team. Atkins can contribute points offensively but he takes even greater pride in reading the box score to see that his opponent was held to a modest number.

“It really pushes me to see if I can guard the best player on the team,” Atkins said. “Everyone is watching the best player on the team and if he can’t score, that really says something about the defender.”

The Crusaders split their first two games of the season but held their opponents to less than 40 points in both games, led by a strong defensive effort by Atkins.

“He’s very athletic and he’s shooting the ball better and better each year,” Falconiero said. “He gets to the rim and crashes the offensive boards. And he’s one of the best defensive players in South Jersey.”

And one of the most intellectual brains at Bishop Eustace. Atkins enjoys computer science and statistics classes, which is feeding his push to study cyber security in college. He’d also like to play basketball at the next level if he can find the right situation.

I definitely want to (play in college),” Atkins said. “I’m trying to get some school’s attention with my defense. I just love the sport. It’s really fun.”

Atkins first picked up a basketball with his dad at age 4 and began playing in games at 6. He’s learned a lot along the way, especially during his last three-plus years with the Crusaders. He doesn’t need to think — just react.

“He’s grown as a player and he’s grown as a person,” Falconiero said. “We like to see that in all our kids and he’s one of our classic program kids. He’s really worked his way up.”