As LeBron prepares for the finals, we look at the achievements that got him here. Today: his high school years at SVSM.

Before LeBron even became a student at St. Vincent – St. Mary High School, his skills were starting to draw attention. SVSM coaches saw him working out in an open gym and realized that something special was about to happen to the game.

Words like “unreal” were thrown around with no sense of exaggeration or hyperbole.

LeBron was just that good.

FRESHMAN YEAR
Already a two-time MVP at the AAU level, LeBron’s arrival at SVSM in Fall of 1999 put him together with the same AAU players he’d bonded with over the years. The chemistry was undeniable, as LeBron averaged 18.1 points and 6.1 rebounds per game to lead SVSM to a perfect 27-0 record and the 2000 state championship.

Just like that, the quality that has been so readily apparent in the 2007 postseason – LeBron’s ability to lead and to inspire others to step their game up – became evident to the many who witnessed his incredible first year at SVSM. “By the end of freshman year, LeBron knew more about basketball than 90% of the college players I have had,” said his high school coach. “He had a knack of making other players better.” Akron, Ohio would never be the same.

SOPHOMORE YEAR
Before LeBron would take the court again, he returned to his other sport at the time: football. As a soon-to-be all-state wide receiver on the football team, LeBron caught 42 passes for 840 yards and 11 touchdowns. His football coach would later say, “I have no doubt LeBron could have played pro football.”

But basketball kept calling, and LeBron could only answer the call. In his second season with SVSM, he averaged 25.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 3.8 steals to lead his squad to their second straight state title in 2001. He was named Ohio’s player of the year and named to the all-USA first team by a major national newspaper – the first sophomore ever to do both.

JUNIOR YEAR
As a national audience and major media began to take notice, LeBron continued to give them something to talk about. Despite the many voices advising him to put football aside and devote himself strictly to basketball, LeBron once again suited up to take the field. Fifty-two receptions, 1310 yards and 15 touchdowns later, LeBron earned another first-team all-state selection.

Once basketball season began, the excitement around LeBron swelled along with his performance. More hype and publicity meant SVSM had to play at the nearby college arena to handle the crowds. Ohio fans who couldn’t get in watched LeBron play on pay-per-view. Once again, he was named Ohio’s player of the year with 29 points, 8.3 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 3.3 steals per game. He also received multiple national player of the year awards. And he wasn’t done yet.

SENIOR YEAR
As the 2002-2003 season commenced, LeBron excitement reached an all-time high. The biggest sports mags in the land had all put LeBron on the cover at that point. In December, SVSM faced off against – and soundly defeated – a rival powerhouse on national TV. Now the speed, strength and high-flying excitement that was LeBron James was reaching an entirely new audience.

Would the nonstop hype and attention faze him? Apparently not, as LeBron put up an unbelievable 31.6 points, 9.6 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 3.4 steals per game. In doing so, he took SVSM to their third state title in four years, captured his third straight player of the year award in Ohio and capped off back-to-back national player of the year titles as well.

Then, at the age of 18, LeBron James became the #1 pick in the draft, selected by a Cleveland franchise hungry for a star and happy to keep the state’s best player, arguably of all time, among the friends and fans that supported his dizzying ascent to the top.

Would LeBron be able to bring his impetuous style to the professional level?

Only time would tell…

Tune in Tuesday for the next chapter in the WITNESS series, when we follow LeBron’s remarkable transition from high school to the league.

More LeBron Links

• BE A WITNESS: Share your LeBron stories
• WE ARE ALL WITNESSES: The new TV spot
• WITNESS: Five years of LeBron wallpapers
• WITNESS: Rise to Power: 2006-2007
• WITNESS: The Next Level, 2005-2006
• WITNESS: Heir to the Throne, 2003-2005
• The LeBrons Game Pack
• Ask The LeBrons: Scene 1 (Ticket Booth)
• Ask The LeBrons: Scene 2 (Pizzeria)
• Ask The LeBrons: Scene 3 (Playground Court)
• Ask The LeBrons: Scene 4 (Dance Floor)
• Ask The LeBrons: Scene 5 (The Big Game)