Athlete of the Week – Josiah Harris-Skidmore

This Q + A with AD Lyslo is with varsity basketball captain and PC senior Josiah Harris-Skidmore.

Josiah, first off, congrats on being named Jersey Mike’s Athlete of the Week. You and the varsity boys basketball team are off to a great start. What’s been the recipe for success so far this season?

Thank you so much for this opportunity – it’s a blessing to be named Athlete of the Week, but I definitely have to give credit to my teammates and coaches for putting me in a position to succeed. Honestly, it’s just been the whole squad locked in and putting all their effort forth.

The recipe for our success so far has really been our chemistry and preparation.  Most of us have been playing together for years, so we have a lot of trust in one another on the floor and know how each other plays. We have the best coaching staff in the state, and the way they prepare us for games is crazy. The attention to detail they have during our film sessions and walk-throughs is like no other.

You came off a tough ankle injury last year and were slowed by this most of the season. You came out strong with 24 points in the first game and looked very sharp. Are you healthy and what are your goals for the season?

Dealing with that ankle injury last year was definitely a challenge, from wearing no ankle braces my sophomore year to wearing 2 my junior year was definitely a change.  But it allowed me to focus on my recovery and overall physical conditioning.

I feel 100% healthy now and can’t wait to see what our team is able to accomplish this year!  Scoring 24 points in the season opener was a great confidence booster, but more importantly, it proved that the rehabilitation process worked and that I can compete at a high level without any physical limitations. The energy for our team was high in that game, from starters all the way to the last man on the bench.

 You guys are being tested with some tough games here in the pre-season. Are you excited for these challenges, and do you think this will make the group stronger later in the season?

Our pre-season is definitely a challenge for sure, but we’re ready for any team that comes our way, and our coaching staff will do everything they can to prepare us for these games. We enjoy these high-pressure games because they force us to elevate our performance, address weaknesses early on, and really come together as one when everything is on the line. While wins are great, the main benefit is the experience we gain facing quality opponents; adversity is absolutely going to make us a much stronger, more resilient group later in the season when we begin our playoff run. 

Having a number one ranking and being two-time league champs puts a big X on your back each game. How is the team handling this, and how have you as a captain helped to keep your team humble and hungry?

Maintaining a number one ranking and defending two consecutive league titles definitely places a target on our backs, but our team views that pressure as a privilege rather than a burden. The pressure is nothing that we can’t handle. We handle this by focusing on the “process” rather than the rankings, ensuring that our internal standards for effort and execution remain higher than any external expectations. As a captain, I strive to keep the group humble and hungry by leading by example—being one of the hardest workers in every practice. By fostering a culture of accountability where we challenge one another daily, we ensure that we never become complacent and continue to play with the same intensity that got us to where we want to be. 

Your senior class has been so successful over these last four years. What’s the goal for this team, and what have you seniors talked about in your last season here at PC?

The senior class recognizes the success achieved over the past four years, and our goal for this final season is to leave a significant legacy and win it all. We are focused on securing a third consecutive league title and making a strong push for a state championship. A key topic among the seniors is the importance of “passing the torch” to the younger players, ensuring the established culture of hard work and camaraderie at PC endures after our graduation. For us seniors, this year is about cherishing our remaining time together and competing with the intensity that comes from our final opportunity to play as a team.