SHOOTING STAR: Hun School girls’ basketball player Jada Jones puts up a shot in recent action. Last Saturday, junior guard and team captain Jones scored 20 points to help Hun defeat Mercersburg Academy (Pa.) 66-40. The Raiders, who improved to 4-6 with the win, play Immaculate Conception High at Felician University on January 18, host Sinai Christian Academy on January 20, and then play at Nottingham High on January 22. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Jada Jones was looking to fit in with the Hun School girls’ basketball team last winter as she joined the program after transferring from Randolph High.

The sharp-shooting guard emerged as a go-to scorer, bonding quickly with her new teammates.

This season, junior Jones has moved up the pecking order, serving as the team’s sole captain. “Last year I was getting used to the team,” said Jones. “This year, it is me really trying to evolve as a player and learn my playing type.”

For Jones, assuming the role of captain has been a natural progression.

“Last season I didn’t have the name captain but I did hold a strong leadership position,” said Jones. “This year, having that position made me open my eyes and realize it is time to step it up and time to start growing up.”

Jones stepped up in the early going last Wednesday against the Blair Academy, scoring 12 points in the first half.

“In the beginning of the game we were showing we could compete, but we didn’t keep that energy through the whole game,” said Jones, reflecting on the contest which saw Hun trailing 8-5 late in the first quarter before finding itself down 31-15 at halftime.

Unable to dig out of that hole, the Raiders ultimately fell 58-35. “We knew that this is a beatable team because they are human just like us,” said Jones.

“We knew we would have to work; our mindsets could have been better. We were a little thrown off knowing that they have more talent. It all comes down to what we do as a team. If we get it together as a team, we will win more games.”

Jones has enjoyed working with post-graduate 6’4 center Kai Volcy, a newcomer to the Hun program this winter.

“This is my second year playing point so having someone like her really helps because she is a dominant post player,” said Jones, who scored 20 points to help Hun defeat Mercersburg Academy (Pa.) 66-40 last Saturday as the Raiders improved to 4-6. “That is helping me evolve my game and learn how to play my position better. I really do look up to her.”

Jones is hopeful that Hun can evolve into a title contender this winter.

“Going forward, we need to understand that the game is really mental and physical is second,” said Jones, who will look to keep Hun on the winning track as it plays Immaculate Conception High at Felician University on January 18, hosts Sinai Christian Academy on January 20, and then plays at Nottingham High on January 22.

“If we have it in our minds that we have got this, we can do this and it will really show. That is something we have to work on because overall, we have a stronger chemistry this year than last year. We just have to put it all together and we are struggling with that.”