Oliver Jones is the new radio voice of the Rustlers.

The CMR junior is the first student in school history to do radio play-by-play commentary of Rustler boys' and girls' games.

He's wanted to do sports announcing for as long as he can remember. When other kids were watching cartoons, he was immersed in sports, imitating Dick Vitale, the famous NCAA basketball announcer.

"This is something I have always wanted to do. When I would go to sporting events as a kid, I'd announce the play-by-play to myself or others," Jones said. "People said it would never amount to anything, but I think it has."

It all started when Bonnie Huestis, mother of junior forward Josh Huestis, began looking for a radio announcer. Josh mentioned to Jones that his classmate would do a great job. Jones thought to himself, "I wonder if I could actually do that?"

The idea grew more and more appealing. Jones called Huestis, and they agreed to give him a shot. He made an audition tape, and submitted it. Before he knew it, Jones was on the air.

His first opportunity was a CMR boys' game against the Glacier High Wolfpack on Dec. 6. He said he wasn'tnervous beforethe game, but as soon as the whistle blew, that all changed. Some technical difficulties didn't make things any easier.

"By the fourth quarter I started to loosen up a bit," Jones said.

Before each game he memorizes the names and numbers of the opposing team's players. He's also responsible for setting up the broadcasting system that sends the signal to Fisher Communications.

During the game, he paints a picture for listeners of what's happening on the court. Jones announces about one game a week, rotating between the boys' and girls' teams.

A couple freshman basketball players accompany Jonesinside the booth and help him keep stats. Otherwise, it isjust him and the microphone.

He said his favoriteplays aredunks by Huestis, which he punctuates with "he drops the hammer" or"he throws it down."

His greatest challenge so far has been dealing with all the text messages that stream in during the game.

"There are so many positive ideas from students that support what I'm doing that it can be distracting at times," he said.

It's also the most rewarding part of the job.

"The best thing about it has been all the positive praise I have had from others," he said. "Students at CMR love that a student with the inside information is bringing them the statistics and the game play with a fresh and inside type of mindset," Jones said. "This has been the greatest pleasure of my year so far. I am thankful for the wonderful people in the CMR basketball program who went out on a limb and gave an awesome job to someone who was just a kid in their eyes. I think that it has been a wonderful ride so far."

Jones isn't sure whether he wants to pursue a broadcasting career after high school. For now, the future is an open book.

"Whatever I do, I want to do a job that I will enjoy for the rest of my life," he said. "I want to utilize my spiritual and intellectual gifts in a way that will best benefit others and myself. Broadcasting at the highest level would be the most fun job I could have."

The CMR Rustler basketball games can be heard on KQDI AM 1450.