STARKVILLE — While Kelsey Jones has lofty college goals, her high school coach Kristie Williams sets the bar even higher.
“Kelsey re-wrote the record book here and has her name all over it,” Williams said. “I want the same at her next stop. I want her to be one of the all-time Lady Eagle greats. She is just scratching the surface of her capabilities.”
On Tuesday morning, Jones signed with Southern Mississippi in a ceremony at Starkville High.
“This is a very good place to play my college ball,” Jones said. “I think they can really help me showcase my skills. College ball is something you always dream about. I am excited about this opportunity. Southern has been real good to me during the recruiting process.
“I like the coaches. They are good people. I can tell they want what is best for me.”
Williams said the final list of schools included USM, South Alabama, Central Arkansas, Florida International, and “every junior college you could list.”
Jones waited to complete the school year to make sure she chose her best option. In the end, the chance help USM in Conference USA play won out.
“The (Southern Miss) coaches were really on her from day one,” Williams said. “They started coming to games in ninth grade. When you see coaches come a lot of your games, it has an impact. Granted, they had an advantage being in-state and having a chance to see so many games. That really stood out to Kelsey.
“She realized they wanted her if they put in that kind of effort.”
Jones, a 6-foot-3 center, helped Starkville High enjoy its greatest three-year run of history of all-time in girls basketball. The Lady Jackets lost in the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 6A state tournament semifinals twice and in the championship game this past season. Starkville won its first 31 games this past season before dropping a 57-54 heart-breaker to Olive Branch in the state championship game at the Mississippi Coliseum in Jackson.
“Even though the championship game didn’t go the way it wanted it to, it was still an incredible experience,” Jones said. “We were able to play in Jackson three-straight years, and a lot of players don’t get that opportunity. We were really blessed. We worked really hard to get to that point. Now, the program, is ready to contend every year.”
In May, Jones was chosen as The Dispatch’s Large Schools Player of Year for a third-straight year. She averaged 15 points and 10 rebounds on the way to numerous postseason honors.
“Next year is really going to be a challenge,” Williams said. “In each of the last three seasons, Jones has been the player the other team has game-planned against. She has come into the gym knowing the other team’s No. 1 purpose that is night is to stop her from scoring and rebounding. She did a great job of playing with that pressure.
“There were a lot of nights she simply carried us.”
At USM, the coaches will shift Jones to small forward, which is something more common with her size.
“I am excited about going in and becoming part of the team,” Jones said. “Whatever they need me to do, I am ready to do. My time at Starkville was great. Coach Williams really mentored me and made me a better player and a better person. Now it’s time to see what the next level has to offer.”
Follow Dispatch sports writer Scott Walters on Twitter @dispatchscott
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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