When Jordan Scott jumps, his hand stretches out higher than anyone else’s. When he runs, it’s faster and more fluid than his competitors. And when he talks about himself, it’s short and in a soft voice.

Scott, 14, was one of many who competed in basketball Friday at the State Games of America. But with his 6-foot-3 frame, agile feet and soft hands, he stood out.

“I guess I got my athleticism from my parents,” said Scott, who will be a freshman at Lewis-Palmer High School in the fall. “My dad played football at the Air Force Academy and my mom played basketball there too.”

Scott suited up for team Pine Creek on Friday at Cheyenne Mountain High School and led them to a 2-0 day with victories over Fort Carson 8 and Cañon City Tigers 8B in the 8th Boys Pool A. Before games, he would soar to the rim and throw down dunks with ease.

His skills were more jaw-dropping considering he started playing basketball just 21/2 years ago.

“Jordan’s always been long and athletic,” said Jordan’s father, A.J., who played football at Air Force from 1981-85. “He got a late start in basketball, but he’s getting better and better every time he plays.”

Jordan’s mother, Theresa, said she volunteered as a coach for a youth team at the academy and put Jordan, then 12, on a team that played in a 13-15 league.

“I didn’t put him on the team because he was good, just because I was coaching,” said Theresa, who played basketball at Air Force from 1981-85. “He wasn’t good… now he’s very good.”

Jordan plans to run track as well as play basketball at Lewis-Palmer, but he has bigger plans for the future.

“My dream is to go (Division I) for basketball,” said Jordan, who still dons a boyish face and braces. “I just started a couple years ago, but I want to go higher.”

Dianna-Lynne Wells of Colorado Springs skated to a silver medal Friday at World Arena. Photo by COLE W. EBERLE, THE GAZETTE