With ULM on birthday
It was a special day for Starkville High School girls basketball player Amaya Ford on Thursday.
Not only did Ford make the signing with Louisianamonroe official, but it was also her birthday.
Ford didn’t necessarily have it planned, but she was able to celebrate both occasions with refreshments that included cake at the SHS library.
“I was planning to sign later on, but I wanted to go ahead and do it,” Ford said. “I knew they were the right fit for me. “It’s a blessing to be in the position I am today and to have another coach have faith in me to help her team out. The family (at Monroe) and how they treated me just drew me in.”
Lady Yellow Jacket head coach Kristie Williams was not surprised to see Ford reach this point in her life.
Williams said Ford will be a success because of the way she handles business on and off the court.
“I could go on and on about how well she has performed for us,” Williams said. “The great thing that I love is she not only performs well on the court, but she is the perfect example of a student-athlete. She gets her grades and has a very high GPA. That only shows her commitment to doing everything well. I can’t wait to see what she does at the next level.”
Ford has been very good for SHS the last two seasons. She averaged 20 points per game last season, including scoring a record 46 points against South Panola. Ford also had five rebounds, two assists per game and shot 80% from the free-throw line.
So far this season, Ford has averaged 17 points and 3.5 boards per outing for the Lady Jackets.
Ford said SHS taught her that when the going gets tough to just “keep going.”
She knows that lesson will also help her at the next level.
“It’s going to be a challenge and a transition into it,” Ford said. “I just need to pick up the tempo and get on track to what they are doing.”