Leadership
with a laugh

By Joe Mason
For the Times

Malik Ballard knows exactly where he gets it from.
Ballard is the senior point guard on the Frankford High School basketball team and he is known for two things. One, he’s the unquestioned leader of the Pioneers — both on and off the court. Also, he’s known as the team comedian.
Both traits have been passed on by his mother, Monica Bass.
"I’m the youngest of four children and my mom was and is everything," he said. "She raised the four of us, she paid the bills and she worked. She did everything.
"And she always does it and still stays happy," Ballard continued. "I always tell her that she should be a comedian, but she says ‘Nah.’ She teaches me everything."
While there are no stats for funniest players, it’s apparent Ballard’s role as team leader worked out well. He helped guide Frankford to a 22-6 record and led the team to the Public League championship game.
The season came to an end Saturday when Frankford fell to Ridley, 76-38, in a Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association Class AAAA playoff game, but Ballard wasn’t too upset about the loss. He was more impressed with the way his troops followed him all year.
"I kind of took it upon myself to be the leader because when you’re the point guard, that’s what you have to do," he said. "And we had a bunch of guys who loved to play and played hard. They did all the work, I just went out and ran the offense.
"All I did was get the ball to the hot guy," he said. "First I got it to the open guy. If no one was open, I just got it to the guy who was hot. I wasn’t worried about keeping people happy, I was worried about getting wins. That’s how I played."
Ballard’s leadership, coupled with the dynamic play of Malik Tinsley, kept Frankford rolling throughout the season, especially in Public League play, where the Pioneers dropped just two games, both to eventual Public League champs, Communications Tech.
"We had a bunch of great kids on the team, but Malik (Ballard) was definitely the leader," said Frankford coach Ben Dubin. "He was our guy and a big reason for our success. We had a few seniors and a bunch of younger guys, so the seniors did a great job of leading the way and Malik was the ultimate leader.
"This team probably wasn’t one of the best teams, on paper, but they played really well together and it was a great run," Dubin said. "A lot of that is because of the leadership."
Ballard knows all about leadership and he knows even more about disappointment.
During the fall, Ballard decided to go out for the football team.
Championship dreams were alive and well until the Pioneers were forced to forfeit four victories because they had used an ineligible player.
"That was tough because I really wanted to get a jacket," said Ballard, a starting defensive back. "I felt bad and all, but I felt worse for the guys who were football players. I knew I still had basketball. They had nothing, all they had was college, so I felt bad for them. I was just happy I had basketball."
And while Ballard’s winter sport didn’t provide a jacket, it was still a positive experience.
A trip to a title game, a trip to states and, individually, a fantastic year running the point, Ballard will have memories and also some film to show scouts.
Next year, he hopes to continue his basketball career — possibly at a junior college — where he also hopes to study business.
Down the line, he hopes to give back to the woman who gave him everything he has.
"I’d love to play professionally, but if I have to get a job, I’ll get a job," Ballard said. "My mom always tells me that when I go pro, all she wants is a condo. I’ll get that for her, even if I’m not playing.
"She’s done a lot for me. I have to get her that condo." ••
Joe Mason can be reached at joemason70@hotmail.com