As a 7th grader, she sat on the bench. As an 8th grader, she started to take basketball more seriously.
Now, just five seasons later, junior center Jaelencia Williams has received a Division I offer, is getting interest from other multiple Division I schools and she is very close to setting an SHS girls basketball record.
According to Williams, the difference was her approach to the game.
Very rarely getting into games in the 7th grade, Williams is now a starter on varsity and a Junior All Star candidate. Her 7th grade year she just came in and wanted to have fun. She started to condition and stay after school to work with her coaches in 8th grade. Williams stands six feet and three inches tall and averages 14 points and 11 rebounds a game.
“I just came a long way, and I fell in love with (basketball),” Williams said.
Assistant Varsity coach Greg Burton has known Williams since 7th grade when he was coaching at Southport Middle School. Burton says he remembers Williams trying out and thought she had potential.
“I saw potential and she had a lot of size,” Burton said. “She was very new to basketball and had a long way to go.”
Williams has an offer from IPFW (Indiana Purdue Fort Wayne) and many other Division I interests. With basketball season almost coming to an end, AAU basketball season will be coming up in the summer and Williams will be seeing more of college scouts.
Alumni Lady Card Erica Fall holds the single season rebound record at here SHS. Williams was just a few rebounds away from breaking Fall’s record after having played and lost to Roncalli High School in the sectional championship game.
Williams has one more year of high school left, which means she has one more chance to prove that she has what it takes. She then has to decide where she is going to further her basketball career.