ON GUARD!

SEBRING - Basketball isn't all glitz and glamour.

After all, somebody has to take out the garbage.

Sebring backcourt mates Javier Medina and junior Chris Grubb have done just that for the Streaks this season, with Grubb earning the nickname "Garbage Man" by head coach Princeton Harris for his ability to do the dirty things to help his team.

Grubb is a natural baller and consummate team player, who can be an explosive offensive threat one minute and diving on the floor for a loose ball the next. His nickname is a moniker he's proud to wear.

"I'm the type of player that'll do anything my team needs," Grubb said. "I play hard at both ends and am always working hard to improve."

Medina, a point guard that can deliver laser passes with deadly accuracy, joined the Blue Streaks this season after a year in Avon Park, where he starred for the rival Red Devils.

"I look good in blue," Medina joked. "I really liked playing for Avon Park, but my family moved to Sebring, and I fit in really well with my new team."

The Puerto Rico native learned his craft in his homeland, where he played in tournaments and basketball camps before coming to the States. The language barrier was a hurdle he had to cross and his English has improved as much as his ball handling skills this year.

"I took English classes in Puerto Rico for two hours a day to get better," Medina said. "Basketball is the same no matter in what language. Coach [Harris] has instilled confidence in me to run the offense."

With the addition of Medina, Grubb moved to the shooting guard position, a move that's been smooth for the junior.

"I'm interchangeable," Grubb said. "I just like to play ball, so it doesn't matter where I play."

The two teammates have mixed the perfect combination of speed, ball handling and defense into a powerful chemistry, one that was forged on the courts at the Sebring YMCA and now has Harris smiling about their potential.

"You can't ask for more than they're giving me," the SHS skipper said. "They give me everything they have and then some."

Each scored 13 points in Tuesday's controversial loss to Frostproof with Medina dishing out six assists and Grubb hauling in five rebounds for the Streaks.

Harris' assessment of Grubb and what he brings to the floor every night for the Blue Streaks is one of shock and awe.

"He [Chris] has exceeded and surpassed all my expectations as a player," Harris said. "I've had coaches call me and say, who's the white kid out there, what grade's he in?

"He's going to turn some head with some coaches, because he's focused, he's disciplined, and he has a desire to work and does the same thing in practice, he works hard, and it's showing."

No matter the reasons for why the mixture is working, so long as it continues to foster wins and a competitive spirit in their teammates that have put their trust in their backcourt.

"This team believes in themselves," Harris said. "Chris and Javier have shown that they can help this
team win. Now we have to go out and do it."

Grubb, Medina and the rest of the Blue Streaks are in action tonight, when they host Class 4A-District 10 foe Braden River at 7:30 p.m.