It’s a play that is noticed once or twice a game.
It’s a quick-hitter that usually leaves a defense and its coach frustrated.
The baseline inbounds play accounted for eight of Starkville High School forward Kelsey Jones’ 24 points against Harrison Central on Tuesday, and all four plays were drawn up differently in a 47-31 win at the Travis Outlaw Slam Dunk at The Hump.
As much of a focal point as Jones has been for opposing defenses — she saw constant double- and triple-teams — Jones was surprisingly open on all the plays.
“They were so focused on me,” Jones said.
But Jones’ evolution as a player has seen her force fewer shots against collapsing defenses and look to pass to open teammates lurking on the wing. So when coach Kristie Williams draws up an inbounds play designed to go to one of the team’s guards, opponents will respect Jones as a screener, even though she flashes open under the goal.
“Typically, they’re not all meant for Kelsey to get those easy buckets, but when the defense is set in such a way that, if she’s going to set a screen and she’s already open, get her the ball,” Williams said. “We were able to capitalize off (Harrison Central) not being as prepared as they should have been to cover that. We tried to utilize every facet of our game to post players and guards.”
Jones scored 17 of her 24 points in the first half, but she also led the team in assists, Williams said.
“Every time I got the ball, three would drop off on me, but other teammates were open, so I’d dish it out and we got open shots,” Jones said. “We all worked hard today.”
Starkville scored on its first four possessions and raced to a 12-6 lead behind Jones, who scored eight points and blocked a shot in the span. Jones later converted an and-one and scored seven points in a 10-2 run to close the first half and give Starkville (14-0) a 30-21 halftime lead.
“Every year Kelsey has matured each year since her freshman season,” Williams said. “She’s gotten a lot better at poise. She knows that against most teams she is going to have two or three defenders on her, and she’s been good about keeping her cool through that and maximizing that opportunity, whether it’s taking a tough shot or looking opposite and finding an open teammate.”
Jones also had two steals and three blocks against Harrison Central (12-2). While Jones locked down the post, guards Jalisa Outlaw (10 points), Jariyah Covington, and Amaria Strong spearheaded a stout player-to-player defense that locked down Harrison Central in the third quarter. Harrison Central didn’t score until the 12-second mark in the third quarter. Starkville forced 10 turnovers in the quarter, including five straight to open the period.
“I’m very excited to see my guards step up,” Williams said. “That’s one area I feel we must continue to get better. Jalisa, Jariyah, and Amaria did a really good job today of defending the ball. I’m really pleased to see they were willing to step up when we needed it.”
Outlaw said she and the other perimeter players communicated well and turned up the intensity in the second quarter.
Williams said Harrison Central tested her team’s communication on the defense.
“It makes you tougher mentally when they do the half-court game because now you have to rely on your teammates to have to tell you when that screen is coming on the ball, or you got to know that if the ball is opposite of me, I have to drop, so it teaches them to be mentally prepared,” Williams said. “You have to continue to work on it. Every day in practice, we do drills for the purpose of making our girls aware of communication.”
Outlaw added 10 points for Starkville.
n In other action Tuesday, Zaria Jenkins scored 17 points to lead the Columbus High girls to a 68-64 victory against DeSoto Central at the Alcorn Central tournament.
Hannah White had 13 points and Tori Weir had 12 for the Lady Falcons.
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