I've been wondering about her since she moved from Edmond SF . Great kid.
By Scottie Bordelon
Times Record • sbordelon@swtimes.com
Aahliyah Jackson just wants to enjoy her senior season at Northside.
As one of the top 100 girls basketball players in the nation in the class of 2016, she has been contacted and offered by nearly every elite college program around.
But now, Jackson has slimmed her list of offers entering her final season with the Lady Bears.
“I’m cutting it down to three. It’s Texas A&M, Mississippi State and Washington,” she said. “I just felt like it was that time to cut it down because I do plan to sign during the November signing period.”
Jackson is the No. 67 overall player in the nation, according to the 2016 HoopGurlz recruiting rankings, earning herself a 4-star rating.
“She’s one of the highest rated players I’ve ever had,” Northside girls basketball coach Rickey Smith said of his superstar. “She’s had over 50, 60 offers from almost every major college in the country and she really deserves all of them.”
The senior guard/forward received offers from Kansas, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Texas A&M, Washington, Georgia Tech, Houston, in-state Arkansas and Texas Christian University, just to name a few.
But in order for her to enjoy her final season with coach Smith and her team, cutting her list was necessary. Jackson’s goals as a senior would be considered unreachable to the average high school player.
“(I want to) win a state championship, strive to try to get Gatorade Player of the Year this year and just do my best,” she said.
Over the last 22 years with Smith as the head coach, the Lady Bears have been regulars, to say the least, in the postseason. Smith has led his teams to four state quarterfinals appearances and 18 finals or semifinals appearances.
That fact attracted Jackson, a Santa Fe, Oklahoma native, to Fort Smith. Now, Northside is set up for another run at a state title and Jackson is able to live out her dream of playing high-level Division I women’s basketball.
“She’s a Malik Monk kind of player and just a great kid,” Smith said. “She comes from a great family, and I’m proud of her. She moved to Fort Smith for this opportunity.”
Jackson led the Lady Bears to a 27-2 record last season, 13-1 in 7A-West action, while averaging 16 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game as a junior.
As for her college finalists, she says the family-oriented atmosphere stuck out at all three places when she visited. Being one of the highest rated players to ever come out of Northside comes with a lot of pressure, she says. But she’s handling it with maturity.
“It’s just a blessing,” she said
By Scottie Bordelon
Times Record • sbordelon@swtimes.com
Aahliyah Jackson just wants to enjoy her senior season at Northside.
As one of the top 100 girls basketball players in the nation in the class of 2016, she has been contacted and offered by nearly every elite college program around.
But now, Jackson has slimmed her list of offers entering her final season with the Lady Bears.
“I’m cutting it down to three. It’s Texas A&M, Mississippi State and Washington,” she said. “I just felt like it was that time to cut it down because I do plan to sign during the November signing period.”
Jackson is the No. 67 overall player in the nation, according to the 2016 HoopGurlz recruiting rankings, earning herself a 4-star rating.
“She’s one of the highest rated players I’ve ever had,” Northside girls basketball coach Rickey Smith said of his superstar. “She’s had over 50, 60 offers from almost every major college in the country and she really deserves all of them.”
The senior guard/forward received offers from Kansas, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Texas A&M, Washington, Georgia Tech, Houston, in-state Arkansas and Texas Christian University, just to name a few.
But in order for her to enjoy her final season with coach Smith and her team, cutting her list was necessary. Jackson’s goals as a senior would be considered unreachable to the average high school player.
“(I want to) win a state championship, strive to try to get Gatorade Player of the Year this year and just do my best,” she said.
Over the last 22 years with Smith as the head coach, the Lady Bears have been regulars, to say the least, in the postseason. Smith has led his teams to four state quarterfinals appearances and 18 finals or semifinals appearances.
That fact attracted Jackson, a Santa Fe, Oklahoma native, to Fort Smith. Now, Northside is set up for another run at a state title and Jackson is able to live out her dream of playing high-level Division I women’s basketball.
“She’s a Malik Monk kind of player and just a great kid,” Smith said. “She comes from a great family, and I’m proud of her. She moved to Fort Smith for this opportunity.”
Jackson led the Lady Bears to a 27-2 record last season, 13-1 in 7A-West action, while averaging 16 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game as a junior.
As for her college finalists, she says the family-oriented atmosphere stuck out at all three places when she visited. Being one of the highest rated players to ever come out of Northside comes with a lot of pressure, she says. But she’s handling it with maturity.
“It’s just a blessing,” she said