“As much as people talk about the Legacy Leagues in the comments on social media, it’s very competitive and enjoyable at the same time,” Jake Morales said. “The best of both worlds.”
With the Connecticut Legacy League at the halfway mark of the Summer 2024 season, four teams are tied at the top of the standings with a 3-1 record. Within those teams the Trail Glazers stand out the most with their consistency to get better week by week, now winners of three straight.
This is a fresh team with a lot of new faces in the league, leading to a lot of question marks before the season started around how this team would fare. As the standings show, they are a force to be reckoned with, especially with their recent Week 4 win over the previously-undefeated Flint Tropics.
“I noticed how competitive this league was when I played last season, so this season I picked a team with more high IQ guys,” Jake Morales said, the team captain of Would’ve Been last season and the Trail Glazers this season.
Morales returns with the hope to win it all this year after recruiting various friends and clients of his from his day job as a barber.
“The most important thing to winning for us is playing as a unit,” Morales said.
Morales is an all-around player who can do it all not only on the court, but also off the court.
“I joined the army right after high school in 2016 when I was 17 years old,” Morales said. “I played basketball in high school all four years and won Offensive Player of the Year my senior year. At that time it was hard for me to try and get into a college to play. I knew I could’ve, but I decided to take advantage of my youth and join the military. A few years in I was promoted to sergeant at 22 years old. I was the youngest Sergeant in my unit as we were deployed overseas where I toured in Operation Spartan Shield.”
Jake’s momentous journey through the Army not only gave him a new perspective on life, but new career aspiration as well.
“During my time in the army I was able to get better at cutting hair because of all the different hair types from different people,” Morales said. “My roommate when I first joined was a barber and at this time at 17 years old I would only cut myself, so he helped me learn more and before I knew it I got good at it.”
After leaving the Army in 2021, Morales decided to pursue what was important to him, and what he knew best.
“I was cutting at a barbershop before I deployed so I wanted to give it my full attention,” Morales said. I went to barber school in 2023 and got licensed, and now cut hair in Shelton, Conn. It’s enjoyable because at the age I’m at I’m young enough to connect to the youth and old enough to mentor the youth because of my experiences.”
His journey is both inspiring and encouraging to those who are interested in pursuing various paths or endeavors. Morales did not stop there as he has recently launched a clothing brand called Lords Army.
“I plan on creating a modern street wear with both military inspiration and faith,” Morales said. “It’s exciting to have this and have a meaning behind it for people to gravitate to and understand what they are supporting. I also plan on donating proceeds to local churches or charities as well as networking with veterans and hopefully inspiring my community.”
Jake’s main goal for the Legacy Leagues season is to take a back seat and let the team mesh together, while also not letting players’ egos get in the way. It seems so far his team is rounding into form, led by Jayvon Chapman and Shawn Seda.
For those who are curious about the inspiration behind the name “Trail Glazers,” Morales had an interesting origin story.
“The Trail Glazers came about from one of my coworkers who was supposed to play with us,” Morales said. “We wanted a funny beer league-type of name that we know would get some laughs and engagement.”
After his team came up short in a close Quarterfinal loss last season, Morales worked hard to construct a team with good players who are all looking to win.
“I feel any one on the floor can get it done,” Morales said. “I tried out a fast group, a tall group, and a defensive group against the Flint Tropics. I would rather see it now before the playoffs get closer. We want to have fun, get some good highlights and win!”