By Robert Wilson
Callaway senior guard Jahanna “JoJo” Wilson wanted to show the rest of the MHSAA Class 6A she was one of the best, if not the best, player this season.
And the 5-foot-4 Wilson proved it on the biggest stage of public school girls basketball last week, at the state tournament at the Mississippi Coliseum in Jackson.
Wilson averaged 20.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals in the semifinals and finals and led the Callaway girls to their first state championship in school history.
For her outstanding performance, Wilson was named the Junction Deli/Mississippi Scoreboard Metro Jackson Girls Basketball Player of the Week.
Wilson had 20 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal n a 40-37 victory over Terry in the Class 6A semifinals and 21 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals in a 51-46 victory over West Jones in the 6A championship game. The win over West Jones was a rematch of the 2023 state championship game that West Jones won 53-31.
Wilson – a member of the Tatum and Wade/Mississippi Scoreboard Preseason Metro Jackson Elite 11 Team – averaged 17.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 4.5 steals and led Callaway to a school record 30 wins (and three defeats) this season.
“Jahanna played with something to prove,” said Callaway coach Ashli Sutton, who was in her fourth season and was the 2023 Mississippi Scoreboard Metro Jackson Coach of the Year. “She helped her team to a historic championship run, delivering when it mattered most. Jahanna proved to be an unstoppable force on both ends of the floor. After being overlooked for Miss 6A Basketball (West Jones’ Jakera Ducksworth won the MHSAA/Mississippi Association of Coaches award), Jahanna used the snub as fuel, channeling that fire into her game. Every drive, every shot, every defensive stop was a statement. She wasn’t just good, she was great. And in the end, it wasn’t about awards, it was about winning, about making history, and about proving that the best always rise when the moment is the biggest.”
Wilson averaged 13.6 points, 5.1 assists and 3.5 steals and led Callaway to 22-9 record and the MSHAA Class 6A quarterfinals and was a first team selection on the All-Metro Jackson team last season as a junior. She had season highs of 25 points, 11 assists, 10 steals and 9 rebounds.
“Jahanna is the definition of heart over height,” Sutton said. “She does not let her size dictate her performance or her future. Jahanna can hang with the best of them, and she definitely can lead and encourage the ones who are not there yet. Jo can get to the basket at will, make timely decisions, defend the length of the floor, rebound like a post player and can shoot the ball well. Her character off the court is just as bold and defined as she is on the court. Jo is truly a blessing to coach the last six years.”
Wilson has offers from Jackson State, Mississippi Valley State, Mississippi University for Women, West Alabama, Lane College, Coahoma CC, Copiah-Lincoln CC, East Mississippi CC, Itawamba CC, Jones County JC, Meridian CC, Mississippi Delta CC, Mississippi Gulf Coast CC, Northeast Mississippi CC, Kilgore (Texas) CC, Seward County (Kansas) CC and Trinity Valley (Texas) CC.
Wilson is the daughter of Larry and Krystle Wilson. Larry played basketball at Jim Hill High and graduated from Jackson State. Larry is also an assistant on the Callaway girls basketball team. Krystle played soccer and track at Jim Hill High and attended Tougaloo. Wilson has five brothers and sisters, brother Jalen, brother Larry Jacob, sister Juleigh, brother Jonisaac, and brother JonPaul. Juleigh, 11, plays basketball. Wilson’s grandmother, Irene Knowles, played basketball at Newton High.
Mississippi Scoreboard selects a girls basketball player from Hinds, Madison, or Rankin counties each week. Coaches can nominate a player by text or call to Robert Wilson at 601.506.2276.
WEEK ONE: Shamira Morton, Canton
WEEK TWO: Alya Benson, Germantown
WEEK THREE: Karley Robinson, Madison Central
WEEK FOUR: Anna Morgan Anderson, MRA
WEEK FIVE: Jayden Rhymes, Jackson Academy
WEEK SIX: Shamira Morton, Canton
WEEK SEVEN: Liz Stevens, East Rankin Academy
WEEK EIGHT: Madison Jones, Terry
WEEK NINE: Jahanna “JoJo” Wilson, Callaway
WEEK TEN: Malia McCelleis, Northwest Rankin
WEEK ELEVEN: Meg Barbour, Jackson Prep
WEEK TWELVE: Presley Hughes, MRA
