Every time Marquez Williams has put on the Howard jersey, it's been with a great sense of pride.
"When you play for the Hustlin' Tigers, you always have to represent," said Williams, who has been a four-year starter on both the basketball and football teams. "You have to keep up the Howard legacy guys like (NFL alumni) Reggie White and Terdell Sands helped build. You have to be tough in every way."
The undersized 5-foot-9, 180-pound playmaker has defied odds and led those around him to help bring back a winning culture.
In football, the 2018 Hustlin' Tigers had the program's first winning season in region play since 2010 as Williams accounted for 1,700 yards and 20 touchdowns (12 passing, eight rushing). He had set a school record with six special-teams touchdowns as a junior.
"Marquez is probably not the best athlete on the field, but he is the best player on the field," Howard football coach John Starr said of his dual-threat quarterback. "In both sports he has the uncanny ability to get the best out of people around him. He also figures out ways to calm things down before they get out of hand."
The same vision that led him to connect with open receivers and find the holes to run through has helped the even-keeled point guard as well. As Howard prepares to begin play in the Region 3-AA tournament Saturday, Williams has averaged 12 points, seven assists, five rebounds and three steals per game this season.
Girls' region tournament games tip off tonight, and area boys' teams begin region action Saturday.
After averaging 10 wins the past three seasons on the hardwood, Howard is 22-7 going into the 7 p.m. game at Sequoyah (10-18).
"I really wanted to change the culture back to the way it used to be here," Williams said. "I want to show all the young guys they don't have to go anywhere else to build another team and win. You can build your own team and have success at Howard."
Closing in on 1,300 career points (38 in one game), Williams will carry the flame as long as it can last for the Hustlin' Tigers. At the beginning of the season he and his basketball teammates created a group text titled "State Bound."
Fighting back to again become a powerful basketball program - Howard made four consecutive trips to the state tournament from 2010 to 2013 - the Tigers have a swagger about themselves again.
"Marquez has stuck through some tough times to get where he is today," first-year head coach James Talley said. "He is the perfect kid we needed to help lead us back. You can really depend on that kid for anything you need."
Williams has a 3.7 grade point average and never has received an office referral in his life.
"My family is the reason for who I am today," he said. "They have pushed me to do better and told me to go to college. They want me to be great. My uncle, mother and cousin inspire me. My cousin passed away, but I am pushing for him."
And pushing others to follow his lead. With a steady work ethic and relentless drive, Williams is the "general" for Howard.
"I've never met anything close to this guy," Starr said. "There was something about him from the day I walked on the Howard campus. He is enjoying life and is just really amazing to me. We all can learn a lot from him."
With several college football offers on the table to consider after his basketball ride is over, Williams expects to play slotback at the next level.
"I enjoy being a strong-willed competitor," he said. "You have to go out there and not be scared of anybody.
"I am grateful for my career at Howard and really hope I can have it end at the state tournament. Even if it's in the first or second round."
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @PMacCoon.