Webster wrapping up at JCM before going to UTM
Nyjha Webster is one of the tallest members of the girls' basketball team at Jackson Central-Merry.
She's also one of the oldest and more experienced players since she's a senior and has been on the team since the school's rebirth in the fall of 2021.
She's also the type of player Lady Cougars' head coach Jeremy Simmons - or just about any other coach - loves to coach.
"She's almost always the first one in here when it's time for practice, and she's always the last to leave," Simmons said. "When we get through with this interview, I'll be shocked if we walk out there and she's not out there working on some part of her game."
The interview for this story was done on Nov. 25, the first day of Jackson-Madison County Schools' Thanksgiving break.
The Lady Cougars practiced that afternoon and were preparing to gather at the school the next morning at 8 a.m. to head out to Memphis for a game with an 11 a.m. tipoff time.
"I'm glad I love playing this game," Webster said laughing when asked about practicing one afternoon then showing up early the next morning for a game during a break from classes. "No but it's OK because this tournament is one we need to really test ourselves as a team and see where we are early in the season."
Before the season started, Webster signed her National Letter of Intent to play college basketball at UT Martin.
Head coach Kevin McMillan and Jasmine Newsome - a former Lady Skyhawk standout player-turned assistant coach - have been the main ones communicating with Webster and Simmons since they saw her play in games and in summer camps and were impressed with her versatility.
"I'm a tall girl, so I can play the 5 (position on the court)," Webster said. "But I'm usually somewhere low playing the 4 or out on the edge playing a 3.
"Sometimes I will be out playing the 1 or 2, too."
Simmons said it's never an accident having Webster out in front - defensively trying to stop a quick point guard of offense running the point.
"She's a good enough dribbler and is quick enough that she can make it work and do a good job for us," Simmons said. "The main reason we don't have her out there more is because we need her size and post-up ability down low.
"But wherever she is on the floor at any given moment, we're putting her there for a matchup advantage for us, and most of the time, that advantage works out for us."
Both Simmons and Webster have high hopes for her final season as a Lady Cougar.
The team has been in contention for the District 13-2A championship in the regular season and the postseason tournament without being able to claim a championship.
“I feel like this team is built for a championship run, but there are some quality teams in our district we’ve got to contend with to get there,” Simmons said. “But I feel like our non-district schedule in November and December will hopefully prepare us for that competition in January and February.”
The Lady Cougars went 1-1 in the Thanksgiving tournament in Memphis later that week.
But sure enough, on that Monday before Thanksgiving when the interview with Simmons was over, Webster returned to the court after practice and her interview was done, working on her outside shooting.
Brandon Shields, brandon@jacksonpost.news
