Basketball: Jones stands out among talented Fayetteville roster

FAYETTEVILLE -- To recognize Jameisha Jones on the basketball court is not always easy. But the Fayetteville senior guard is doing her best to make sure her individual performance stands out on its own.

Jones, who goes by the name Pink, has played alongside twin sister Janeisha 'Blu' Jones throughout their Lady Bulldogs' career. And for many, telling the two identical twins apart can be a chore. Both sisters play big minutes for a Fayetteville team looking to repeat as Class 7A state champions, and both are needed in big ways to balance out a deep, talented roster which focuses more on team goals than individual stars.

But even within in the Lady'Dogs' strength-in-numbers approach, Pink Jones has developed into the key piece all her own by doing a little bit of everything.

"Last year (Pink) was a very crucial part of what we were doing, and this year it's like we can't really function without her," Fayetteville coach Vic Rimmer said. "It's pressure on her, but we know when she doesn't play well, then we don't play well."

Fayetteville (9-5, 0-1 7A-West) has no player averaging more than 6.8 points per game, and a total of nine scoring at least three points per game. But scoring aside, it's all the little things Pink Jones contributes that's helped her become as important as anyone on the floor, Rimmer said.

"I felt like last year at the end of the season it was very helpful that I contributed to the team," Jones said. "I just wanted to carry that over into this season.

"Really it goes game-by-game with me. Some games I can help on defense and in other games I can score."

The team leader in assists and steals, she is also fourth on the team in scoring rebounding. Above all the numbers, though, it's her ability to control the game flow on both sides of the ball which have made the Fayetteville senior so vital.

"She's what makes us go," Rimmer said. "Offensively she's our tempo person. Defensively she's always got a big assignment.

"If she plays well, we play well. That's just how it is."

Pink, who along with her twin sister has received a basketball scholarship offer from Alcorn State, understands that Fayetteville's success doesn't come down to one player. But the senior point guard has also come to recognize her play, more than any other Lady Bulldog, affects those around her.

"I push the ball on offense and try to create the tempo," Jones said. "And I think my speed is really helpful."

Jones, who scored a career-high 19 points in last season's state finals win over Conway, hopes to continue her career past high school on the basketball court. She and her sister will probably have options, though, as both are standout track sprinters as well.

"We consider both, but our hearts on more on basketball," Pink said. "That came lately. Younger we loved running, but now we love basketball more, with the team aspect and all."

Fayetteville battled through a tough nonconference schedule before opening up 7A-West play with a 52-45 loss at Fort Smith Northside last Friday. There's no panic in these Lady'Dogs, however, as a late season push was the key to the state championship a year ago.

Unlike last year's team, though, this year's squad relies more on speed, depth and defense -- all key areas in Pink Jones' game which help her stand out and be recognized."

"Pink is fast, jumps well, handles the ball and sees the floor," Rimmer said. "That's all there and everybody can see that. But what attributes the most to her success in her confidence level.

"When she's playing with confidence, she's as good as anybody on the floor at any position. And like I've said, when she plays well and with confidence, we can be very good."

Vernon Tarver can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @NWAVernon.

Sports on 01/12/2016