Sheila Alldredge
January 22, 2008
Lillie Reed
January 24, 2008
Sterling Jones is averaging more than 23 points and eight rebounds on a talented Ellender team that is poised to make another run at a state title.
“He works hard, plays hard, can run the floor and has the ability to score from anywhere,” said coach Scott Gauthreaux. “He can drive to the basket or shoot the 3-pointer. His best asset is probably his transition from defense to offense.”
Division I universities seem to agree. Jones has received attention from the University of Louisiana-Lafayette, Georgia, the University of Louisville and a slew of junior colleges.
The SportsNet caught up with the Patriots senior last week to discuss his final season.
SportsNet: The team is off to a good start so far, with the exception of the loss to Helen Cox.
Sterling Jones: We’re working as a team and playing together and working hard individually. And we’re not being selfish about passing the ball around to one another. Helen Cox was a good game. We played hard, but we were just out-rebounded. We have players 6-foot-1 and below and they were all 6-foot-5 and above.
SN: Including Georgetown-bound Greg Monroe, who stands 6-foot-9.
SJ: Actually, 6-foot-10.
SN: What was it like playing against the top-ranked high school recruit in the country?
SJ: It felt good. I gave it all I could.
SN: Feel especially good about outscoring the guy?
SJ: (Laughs) Yeah, it felt good that I outscored him. It’s nice being able to outscore the No. 1 recruit in the nation.
SN: What did coach Gauthreaux tell the team after the loss?
SJ: He told us we shouldn’t put our heads down, but to keep them up. We gave them all we could. And even though we still lost, we’re still winners. We’ll play them again at Helen Cox. Can’t wait for that one.
SN: They were the taller team, but did you see any advantages?
SJ: Our team was quicker than they were and we were tiring them out, but we just couldn’t get the rebounds. We got them into a lot of foul trouble, too.
SN: When you say you tired Helen Cox out, is that a testament to how hard coach Gauthreaux works your team in practice?
SJ: Yeah. (Laughs) We run a lot.
SN: Is it starting to sink in that this is your last season of high school hoops?
SJ: Yeah, it is. I’m trying to enjoy every moment of it and play every game like it’s my last. It’s my last time playing some of these teams.
SN: Have you been working extra hard this season because you know it will be your last?
SJ: Yeah. I’ve been working harder in practice this year than last year. Every day I just keep running and running and practicing and playing hard. I’ve been staying after school a lot.
SN: How excited are you about going away to college and being out on your own?
SJ: Can’t wait. (Laughs) Can’t wait. I was planning on getting an apartment. I have four sisters and three brothers.
SN: So maybe that’s why you’re especially excited to leave – you’re looking to provide a little distance between you and them.
SJ: (Laughs) Yeah.
SN: Anything else you’re looking forward to about college?
SJ: Just meeting new people and making new friends.
SN: What does Sterling Jones do in his downtime?
SJ: I hang out with friends or go to work at Church’s (where I cook chicken). Sometimes I’ll play Xbox 360 or go to the movies.
SN: Any recent flicks you’d give a good review?
SJ: I really liked “The First Sunday.”
SN: Anything you care to share that people might not know about yourself?
SJ: I keep to myself a lot of times, but once people get to know me they usually like me.
SN: Will basketball always be a part of your life?
SJ: It will. I really want to play college basketball and hopefully, if I do well, play in the NBA. If that doesn’t work out, maybe I’ll try to play overseas. But I’ll always at least be playing with my friends or something like that.
Sterling Jones would like to add a state championship to his resume before moving on to play college hoops. (Photo by CHRIS SCARNATI
- Tri-Parish Times)
