Houston’s Hemingway commits to Miss. State
Most observers only see what Jayla Hemingway does on Tuesday and Friday nights during the high school basketball season. But it’s what they don’t see that is one of the reasons she’ll be joining one of the nation’s top college programs.
In front of teammates and relatives Tuesday, the Houston High class of 2019 standout announced her commitment to Mississippi State, which has finished national runner-up in each of the last two seasons.
“I forgot who we played but it was a Friday night district game,” said Houston coach Ben Moore. “And she played well; I think it might have been one of the games where she had 30 points.
“I got (to school) about 8 o’clock (Saturday morning) to do some things and she already been here for 45 minutes. Just wringing with sweat. For a lot of
kids to play well on a Friday night and win (would be enough). But she was right back at it.”
Hemingway, one of five girls basketball nominees for The Commercial Appeal Sports Awards player of the year honor, chose the Bulldogs over Kentucky, Tennessee and Arkansas. She said that despite feeling strongly about Mississippi State for about two weeks it wasn’t an easy choice.
“It was a tough decision,” she said. “Other schools I had close relationships with as well, but I wanted to stay close to home and be near my family.”
Mississippi State coach Vic Schaefer and his staff clearly made Hemingway a priority. They were at several of Houston’s games this season and also watched her at the Class AAA state tournament, which ended with Houston finishing runner-up to Riverdale.
“They definitely made sure that I knew of their presence whenever they were around,” she said. “I have a great relationship with the staff, and It’s a great school with a great family environment.
“And they have a great program. Doing that (finishing runner-up) two years in a row shows that it’s not only a great team but a great program.”
A 5-10 guard averaged 21.7 points and 7.2 rebounds and shot 49 percent from the floor this past season while leading the Mustangs to a 28-6 record. She’ll join a Bulldogs roster that features three-time Commercial Appeal player of the year Myah Taylor of Olive Branch, who redshirted this season.
Reach John Varlas at john.varlas@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @johnvarlas