Following his stellar performances during February, basketball superstar Jayden Holmes Cotter was named as one of the FTHS February Athletes of the Month!

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First of all, congratulations! How does it feel to be athlete of the month?

– It’s super exciting. It’s my first time getting, so it’s always an exciting experience.

Cool! What position do you play?

– I’m a forward.

Do you like that position? What is its most challenging part?

– The most challenging part is that you’re going up against bigger guys most of the time so there are a lot fewer foul calls. Also, you have a bigger role in rebounding the ball.

So is it hard [to be a forward] competing with bigger players?

– It’s hard but I always love a challenge.

What’s your favorite part about basketball in general?

– The competitiveness and the togetherness on the court. I mean, you can basically have a war with someone on the court and then still be friends after the game. So, definitely the comradery.

What is your favorite memory at Township?

– It would probably be my buzzer-beater to win the game versus Middletown North in the Shore Conference Tournament.

I saw you had 43 points and 22 rebounds. How was that?

– I didn’t even know. I was honestly surprised. I didn’t know I had 43 until the end of the game when I asked the manager. I was more excited about the 22 rebounds and winning the game.

How did you into basketball?

– My brother played football and my sister played basketball. I was playing football with my brother and he tackled me and I just didn’t want to play football. It was basketball right away.

How do you train in the offseason?

– In the offseason, I lift a lot of weights and I go on runs. I do a lot of yoga and stretching to make sure my body is ready for the season.

Do you have any superstitions or pregame rituals? 

– On game days, I eat the same sandwich from the cafeteria.

What sandwich?

– It’s an Italian. I also drink apple juice and eat apples before the game. Also, I eat a Pop-Tart before every game.

Interesting. What kind of Pop-Tart?

– S’mores.

Has anything materialized in terms of playing in college?

– Yes, I plan on playing in college. Whether it’s Division I, II, or III, just playing at the next level is my main goal.

What is your favorite hobby outside of basketball?

– Probably hanging out with friends and playing video games. I’m always playing video games in my room.

What’s your favorite game?

– I play Fortnite, Call of Duty, 2K, I play it all.

Do you have a favorite professional team or player?

– My favorite professional team is the Boston Celtics and my favorite player would be LeBron James.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

– I would say New York. The basketball culture there is crazy and the support your get is one of a kind.

What are you most looking forward to in your senior season?

– I’m looking forward to winning games and winning a championship!

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Here are some of Jayden’s February accomplishments:

• Scored 30 points and recorded 24 rebounds in the team’s win in the Kuhnert Classic vs. Freehold Boro
• Scored a career-high 43 points to go along with 22 rebounds in a game vs. Donovan Catholic.

Here’s what Coach Golub had to say about Jayden:

“Jayden was the team’s leading scorer and rebounder through the season. The offense ran through him and he produced. His 43-point night is a top 5 output in school history and his 24 rebounds against Freehold Boro are the most in at least the last 25 years. Jayden was named 2nd Team All-Shore and 1st Team All-Division by the Shore Conference coaches.”