STARKVILLE — Starkville High School girls basketball coach Kristie Williams had an idea four seasons ago.
While her theory sounded good to her, there was still some selling to do.
“Really thought Jariyah Covington would be the point guard of our future,” Williams said. “We were losing Blair Schaefer at the end of the 2014 season and we needed somebody to step up and take her place. I thought Jariyah had those kinds of skills, as far as leadership, being able to play the point guard position.
“When I told her family (about moving Covington to the varsity team as a freshman), they looked at me like I was little crazy. They trusted me and certainly it worked out.”
Covington went on to thrive at point guard. On Monday afternoon, her hard work and perseverance paid off as she signed a scholarship to play at East Central Community College in Decatur.
“East Central is a great opportunity,” Covington said. “It will be a good fit academically and athletically, When I went on my visit, the school’s president was there. It meant a lot to me to see him actively involved with the student-athletes. It was a great visit. It’s a family. Basketball is important to them.”
Covington continued to grow at point guard and leaves Starkville High as one of the state’s best players. As a senior, Covington averaged 13.1 points, 3.7 assists, and 3.0 steals for the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 6A State champions.
“Like a coach on the floor,” Williams said. “You have to have trust in your point guard because that is your leader on the floor. You have to have someone who knows the strengths of each player on the team and can put everything together so the team has its best chance at success.”
As an eighth-grader, Covington remembers watching Schaefer play for the Lady Yellow Jackets and being impressed with her toughness and leadership skills. She earned some playing time as a freshman and quickly realized her vocal skills would be an asset to the team.
“Coach took a chance on me from a young age,” Covington said. “The seniors this year grew up together. We played together for quite some time. Even though my time is done here, I will always be a Lady Jacket. This was a special group. To be able to leave with two gold balls is special.”
After a couple of flirtations with a state championship, Starkville finally broke through in Covington’s junior year — winning the first girls basketball state title since 1992.
“The work ethic of this year’s team was remarkable,” Williams said. “Even though we won the championship a year ago, they were determined to get back and win another one. Everybody worked hard and took pride in what they were doing. The program now has an expectation of competing for state championships.
“(Covington) and her teammates established that type of reputation.”
Covington hopes to earn playing time as a freshman at East Central C.C. and to begin preparations to play at a senior college after two seasons.
“Everybody wants a special day like this,” Covington said. “A lot of hard work got me to this point. My family, friends, and teammates have supported me and kept pushing me through the tough times. It’s great to see that hard work pay off. However, you can’t stop here. You want to keep going to become an even better player.”
Follow Dispatch sports writer Scott Walters on Twitter @dispatchscott
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 37 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.