Mabe’s return from broken hand gives UCA boys more power

UCA senior Jaxon Mabe has returned from an injury and made a big impact on area basketball courts this month. (Jann Ortiz / For Randolph Record)

ASHEBORO — Jaxon Mabe tends to go full tilt on the basketball court and baseball field.

So when the Uwharrie Charter Academy senior was sidelined and had to miss the beginning of the basketball season, that didn’t seem right.

“I’ve never missed that much time, so that was really hard on me,” Mabe said.

Now after recovering from a broken hand, he’s in action and the Eagles have been on an upward tick.

A powerful 6-foot-2, 180-pound guard, who’s apt to be shifted to any position other than center, leads the Eagles in scoring, rebounding, steals and assists. Mabe said it’s better to be leading from the court than as a spectator on the bench.

“Being able to get back on the court and as more of a leader by actions than by words,” the team captain said.

Mabe suffered the injury on a head-first slide in a fall baseball game in October at McCrary Park. A broken left hand in two spots resulted in surgery that required a plate and four screws.

“He made it back in seven weeks,” said UCA basketball coach Roger Mabe, his father.

Yet Jaxon Mabe’s absence from playing in games resulted in a significant shift in plans for the Eagles. With three seniors on the roster, there are a few younger players who needed time to adjust at the varsity level.

“All through summer work and going into the fall, the plan was to let them come along slowly,” Coach Mabe said. “Then we’ve got to go with the guys we have.”

Jaxon Mabe missed the first six games before playing Dec. 19 at North Stanly, beginning a stretch of four games with a minutes limitation. Since then, UCA had won six of eight games – with last week’s two-point loss at Ledford coming with a lead disappearing after Mabe fouled out late in the game. The Eagles try to avenge a Four Rivers Conference loss to Southwestern Randolph on Friday night at home.

“I’ve knocked some of the rust off,” Mabe said. “I feel I’ve got back to my ability to handle the ball and get past my guy and make a layup.”

As part of his rehabilitation from the injury, Mabe went through a virtual training program with an instructor beaming in from Wisconsin. While much of training regimen didn’t seem natural, it might have proved beneficial. He shoots right-handed.

“I was doing a lot of form shooting,” he said. “It has made me a completely different shooter.”

Coach Mabe said he’s pleased with how the Eagles have adjusted the last few weeks with Jaxon Mabe playing a critical role.

“Our team has really embraced him being back,” Coach Mabe said. “Just the leadership part more than anything has changed everything. … Now he doesn’t come out unless he fouls out. He runs until he can’t run anymore.”

UCA entered the week with a 12-6 overall record and a second-place spot in the Four Rivers Conference.

“We’re finally finding some rhythm,” Coach Mabe said.

He said part of the upgrade has come with how UCA has improved on defense.

“It has the potential to be the best defensive team that I’ve had,” the coach said. “We’re locked in on defense.”

Coach Mabe said the Eagles are nearly back to full health as they hope to have backup guard Zay Collins in action soon following a broken finger.

“We’re really learning to hate losing,” Coach Mabe said.

Jaxon Mabe, who’s a middle infielder for UCA’s three-time reigning state championship baseball team, has been receiving recruiting interest in both sports.

But for now, the focus is helping the Eagles achieve as much as possible in basketball.

“We’re really hitting the turning point right now,” Jaxon Mabe said. “I think our guys have responded well. We’re really beginning to fight for one another. We’ve shown so much grown over a short amount of time.”