Columbus Valley - In The Game High School Sports Magazine

Michael Pickard has never had much trouble with math or science. To the Carver High School senior, courses other students might find difficult aren’t a big deal. During his elementary school days, Pickard participated in the Muscogee County School District’s program for Gifted and Exceptional Students. Today, the classroom isn’t the only place Pickard excels. He is pretty gifted when it comes to basketball as well.

Pickard has been playing basketball since he was about eight years old. He picked up the basics while playing street ball with friends. “It was the only sport I could play all year round. Football is kind of a seasonal sport but my mom bought me a basketball goal and I played in the rain, in the cold. All the time,” says Pickard.

At age ten he started playing organized sports by way of the Georgia Jaguars team under coach Mike Woods. Later he graduated to the Georgia Blazers program. Once Pickard reached middle school age, he tried out for the basketball team at Fort Middle School.

For two years Pickard played basketball at Fort. Although he gave soccer a run in the seventh grade, Pickard mostly considers himself a one-sport athlete. He was cast as a shooting guard until a growth spurt changed things. “When I grew up, I got taller so they moved me to small forward,” says the 6’3”, 172-pound athlete.

Alternating between the two positions in middle school play, Pickard developed talent and fondness for the small forward role. Typically, the small forward is not as tall as the power forward, but has versatility as a main tool. Pickard realized he fit the position and began honing his skills while looking to high school.

Despite that his parents, Michael and Pamela, are Kendrick High School alums, Pickard chose to attend Carver. He wanted to play on coach Warren Beaulah’s boys team. He also had watched his sister Malaika forge a path in basketball at Carver. His sister attended Auburn University on a basketball scholarship and Pickard surmised that if the athletic program at Carver worked out well for his sister, it could for him too.

Pickard made the cut for the junior varsity team his freshman year and was also a member of the Tigers varsity team. He followed suit his sophomore year. Pickard moved solely to playing on the varsity in 2010.

Last year Pickard started the first three games, but according to his coach, he suffered a hip flexor injury in the third game against Central High School.

“That hindered him for the remainder of the year,” recalls Beaulah. “Even if he is not in the starting lineup (this season) he will play a very valuable role coming off the bench as the six man.”

Following a season that was not as good as Pickard had hoped because of the injury, he made the decision to become a two-sport athlete. Although he had never played baseball, Pickard set his sights on making the school’s varsity baseball team mainly because he wanted to stay active. When spring rolled around, Pickard could be found in the outfield as a centerfielder.

He enjoyed the experience and will most likely repeat it. Pickard has quick feet and is blessed with speed, which enabled him to field the ball but he will be the first to admit his talents and abilities are better suited for handling a basketball rather than a bat.

“It was a lot of fun and I had a good time but I am not good at batting. I don’t think I ever actually hit the ball,” he says with a good-natured laugh.

Where Pickard’s abilities lie is well known to him. Basketball is so much a part of his life, he could practically play the game in his sleep. The senior sees his strengths as shooting and rebounding. His coach agrees. “He is a good defender and he rebounds well. Mike averaged five rebounds per game last year. Michael has a good basketball IQ,” says Beaulah.

Pickard is working on his dribbling and becoming more aggressive with his game. Perhaps because he has been playing so long or because he is so comfortable with a basketball in his hands or maybe even just because he has a laid-back personality, Pickard says he has received the message he needs to turn up the heat.

“Coach tells me all the time I need to get a killer attitude. I am kind of chill on the court but I am learning to have some aggression,” says Pickard.

Decisions about college and the future are not settled although Pickard confesses he just wants to play at the next level no matter where that may be.

“Michael has a chance to play small college or junior college basketball,” says Beaulah. But he also is confident Pickard will be college bound even if he isn’t on a team roster. “Michael is the type of student/athlete that will not have to depend on sports in order to attend college. He is a very personable and intelligent young man with a strong academic background which will allow him to be successful in any endeavor that he might choose after high school.”

If his plans to become a college athlete don’t pan out, Pickard would like to attend Morehouse University and pursue architectural engineering studies. His days of attending the gifted program at St. Elmo School are in the past but his inquisitive mind and intelligence fuel Pickard’s keen interest in learning.

Until the end of basketball season, Pickard’s game plan is to work hard in the classroom and on the court. He knows colleges are looking at his academic standing and he has a goal for his team during this last year before he leaves Carver: “To be the best in the city,” he says. ITG