By Brandon King
Jackson’s State’s success gained national attention after the team earned a vote in the most recent Associated Press Top 25 women’s basketball poll for the first time in program history.
In addition to drawing the attention of at least one pollster, the on-court exploits of the team have earned it at least one very notable supporter. Dawn Staley, the head coach of the undefeated and No.1 ranked South Carolina Gamecocks, took time to acknowledge the Tigers.
The best coach in the country replied to a post on X from JSU head coach Tomekia Reed that celebrated the Tigers’ first-ever AP vote, writing, “You’d have another vote if I was a voter! Keep doing the BELIEVABLE!”
Reed discussed the team receiving the AP vote in Thursday’s postgame news conference.
“Right now, our record is the best we have had in school history,” Reed said. “That is what we have been focusing on. But to have an AP vote, one vote, that’s enough. You know, when Taylor [Lewis], the women’s sports information director, called me and told me that we had received an email, I thought she was kidding. So I said, ‘Send me a copy of the email.’ And when she sent it, I was smiling ear-to-ear. I was so excited that our program had gained national respect. It may have been one person, but that one person matters. So, I am just truly thankful for where we are with this program.”
On Thursday night, Jackson State handily took care of Arkansas-Pine Bluff 82-67. The win lifted the Tigers to a 22-6 overall record, and they remain undefeated in SWAC at 17-0.
The Tigers’ winning and on-court excellence is not limited to the confines of the Southwestern Athletic Conference. Jackson State has wins over teams from multiple conferences, including St. John’s of the Big East.
Jackson State will seek to finish the regular season undefeated in SWAC play when they face Mississippi Valley State on Saturday. The Tigers also ran through the SWAC unblemished in 2021 with a 23-7 overall and 18-0 within the conference.
