Ford transitions into leadership role for Jackets

It was a different kind of season for all involved with Starkville Lady Yellow Jacket basketball.

SHS has rolled through the competition most seasons under Kristie Williams including back-to-back Class 6A State championships in 2017 and 2018.

This year, Williams was in the middle of a transition season.

The toll had been taken having lost players like Dandy Dozen players like Kelsey Jones, Jariyah Covington, Tabreea Gandy and Jalisa Outlaw over the last three seasons and Amaya Ford, her next star player up, was adjusting on her own.

“I had to learn quick and pick it up from the other girls that came before me how to handle that responsibility,” Ford said. “It opened opportunities for my teammates, and it wasn't just me scoring. It was other teammates.”

After getting her feet wet last season as a sophomore and flashing some big-time ability, Ford settled into her leadership role. The silent assassin looked to be more and more comfortable with each passing game as the Yellow Jackets took early lumps before contending for the Class 6A, Region 3 crown.

The leader for SHS was chosen the Starkville Daily News High School Girls Basketball Player of the Year for 2019-20.

Ford scored a careerhigh 46 points against South Panola in one game in June showing off her skill level and players began to really jump on her back the rest of the way.

“I think starting off the season she wasn't quite aware of how big of an impact her junior year would be,” Williams said. “She came in during her sophomore year riding the coattails of the other players in 2019. This year, her skill level was magnified. She went through a stage of trying to understand how big of an impact she was going to