Jalen Williams is conscious of one very particular thing.

Since being established just five years ago, Delta Charter School is still in the early stages of its athletic programs. Now a senior guard, Williams is doing his best to make his mark.

“Last year we got put out in the first round of the playoffs,” he said. “This year, I don’t want that to happen because we are one of the first to come around. I want to put something in this gym — something on these walls.”

While Williams has his mind set on sprucing up the décor, he knows he it’s not going to come without hard work.

The Storm (10-23, 3-11) currently sit at No. 22 in the most recent LHSAA Class 1A Power Ratings, but will await its final seeding following Tuesday’s regular-season finale against Mangham.

“I really pray that we can do something in the playoffs,” Williams said.

While Delta Charter doesn’t know what it will have to do quite yet to notch a playoff win this season, Williams must think about how to prepare for whoever comes his way. When on the court, however, he said everything just becomes easier.

“With basketball, you’re just out there,” Williams said. “Everything is really individual — free. I feel like I’m just by myself.”

An of course, Williams feeds off his teammates, too.

“I love when people encourage me to just drive to the hole or tell me that I’m better than someone,” he said.

“For me, it’s all about the DC family. The fans lift us up, the coaches lift us up and the players lift each other up,” he said. “We all just look after each other.”

Whatever happens this year, Williams said he will definitely miss the fans.

“When you score, you can always hear them cheering,” he said. “It makes you want to come back and do it again.”

To make sure the fans keep cheering for years to come, Williams isn’t going to leave the younger players blindsided.

“I know our school is going to continue to get better each year,” he said. “I feel like if I’m not doing right, then they aren’t either. If I don’t leave anything for them, they won’t pass the good around either.

“To think I was one of the first people here, it means a lot.”