New MHSAA steals leader Jadin Mix a longtime defensive rock for Onaway boys basketball

ONAWAY – Heading into Wednesday, Jadin Mix knew he was closing in on 1,000 points.

What he had no idea about was he was also nearing the MHSAA’s record for steals in a career.

About a minute into the second quarter, Mix, one of Onaway’s senior stars, reached 1,000 by scoring a tough bucket, which stopped the game in the process. With some of those he's closest with around him, he realized he wasn’t being honored for just one milestone. In addition to becoming the seventh boys player in Onaway history to hit 1,000, he surpassed former St. Ignace state record holder Gage Kreski by going over 450 steals during a home victory over Gaylord St. Mary.

“I knew coming into the season that it was going to take some grinding and that I was going to need to work to try and get it or come close,” Mix said. “When my dad (Marty) was telling me, ‘Oh, you run track,’ a couple weeks back, I was on a slow pace for my 1,000 and steals, and I knew I needed to step it up for this, so I just kept grinding and grinding and grinding. When it happened, it was so cool.

“It was such a relief off my back.”

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Embracing Mix was his brother Jager, a former Onaway star who hit 1,000 just a couple seasons ago. Currently, Jager is a member of the Alpena Community College men’s basketball squad.

To receive a hug from his older brother meant the world to Jadin, who was treated to a standing ovation from the home crowd.

“I’m not the most emotional guy. I try to hide it with who I am, but when I just hugged Jager, I was just feeling it and it was one of the coolest moments of my life,” Mix said.

Mix has consistently provided offense for an Onaway program that’s won multiple Ski Valley Conference and district titles in recent seasons. But if you’re a regular watcher of the Cardinals, Mix’s biggest strength really isn’t putting the ball in the basket. It’s his ferocious defense that’s seen him lock down opposing stars on a regular basis.

“I feel like I’m a better defender than scorer,” Mix said. “I just love being able to go over and get that little wrap-around, that little poke and being able to score off it, especially with my team being able to help with that and pushing towards me so I get a steal or vice versa, so it’s just a super cool thing.”

When Mix began his high school career, he was like most kids – very nervous. But once he gained experience, he became a regular starter and big-time contributor by his sophomore campaign, when the Cardinals captured a Ski Valley crown for the first time since 1963.

"I’m grateful Coach Eddy (Szymoniak) took a chance on me as a freshman, pulling me up for districts, because I know on (junior varsity) I was still a little all over the place,” Mix said. “Being able to join the high schoolers was super cool. It was great to see all the people I look up to and be able to join them on the court was super cool.”

Right there to hug Mix on Wednesday was Szymoniak, who was overjoyed to see another one of his players reach a milestone. Szymoniak has coached some great ones over the years, and Mix is right up there with the best of them.

“He just flies all over the place,” Szymoniak said. “He’s long, he’s fast, he’s smart. He’s been here for four years working his butt off and I’m so proud of him. He means so much on the court, but people don’t even understand what he is off the court. He has so many kids that are looking up to him, that he mentors. It’s this whole community looking up to him and he’s followed in Jager’s footsteps.

“He’s a great example of what we want in our program.”

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With his high school career winding down, Mix wants to make the most of what's left. He also admitted it’ll be tough to say goodbye when it ends.

“I’m going to miss it a lot,” Mix said. “Granted, I’m hoping to be going to college to play ball, but just being with the guys and the team that we had here, the relationships we had, I’m going to miss it so much.”

Onaway hosts rival Inland Lakes on Friday night.

Contact sports editor Jared Greenleaf at jgreenleaf@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @sportsCDT

This article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: Onaway basketball's Jadin Mix reflects on 1,000 points, MHSAA steals record