By Robert Wilson
Madison Central’s Jaydia Morris has come a long way since last season, and last week showed just how far she has come.
The 5-foot-7 junior forward averaged 17.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3 steals and 1 assist in three games last week.
For her outstanding performances, Morris has been named the Performance Therapy Metro Jackson Girls Basketball Player of the Week.
Morris had a career-high 26 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals and 1 assist against Madison County rival Canton. Possibly her biggest achievement last week was a 12-rebound performance against 2021 MHSAA Class 6A runner-up Germantown, which has 6-foot Madison Booker (the 2021 Mississippi Gatorade Player of the Year), 6-foot Alana Rouser (one of the top sophomores in Mississippi) and 5-11 senior forward Marian Jenkins (one of the top rebounders and shot blockers in Mississippi).
Morris is averaging 11.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 1.7 assists for 12-11 Madison Central going into this week. It was quite an improvement over last season when Morris averaged 4.4 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 0.8 steal as a sophomore.
“Jaydia has grown a lot as a player this season,” Madison Central coach Tameika Brown said. “She has become a better shooter, rebounder and defender. Jaydia is more confident and comfortable on the floor and is emerging as a leader for us.”
Morris has really become one of Madison Central’s top players this season. She leads the team in points, rebounds, and blocked shots.
“Jaydia is a very skilled player and can put up big numbers,” Brown said. “She works on both ends of the floor and loves to crash the boards.”
Madison Central’s next game is at undefeated Neshoba Central – ranked No. 2 in Mississippi by MaxPreps – Friday night in Philadelphia.
Robert Wilson selects a deserving girls basketball player from schools in Hinds, Madison, and Rankin counties each week. Coaches can nominate players by contacting Robert via his cell phone with text or call (601.506.2276) or email ([email protected]).
