Harris remains on a tear after injury

Ivan McDowell, Southeast/Mid-South, Editor

Bob Jones star continues to shine despite a torn ACL

February 19, 2007 - Sophomore guard Jala Harris was taking the leadership reigns early this season enabling Bob Jones High School (Madison, AL) to amass an impressive 13-2 record by early February, and a top three ranking in Alabama’s Class 6A.

Harris and her Lady Patriots teammates had already undergone the adversity of adapting to a new coach coming into the season. Former Coach Scott St. John had resigned before the season after being convicted of changing a medication prescription.

Now, new Coach Ray Greer’s squad had to adjust to playing without its most talented player in Harris. During a match up with rival Austin High, young Jala tore knee ligaments that would sideline her for the remainder of the year.

With Harris on the shelf Bob Jones lost the leader of one of the state’s top teams and a young lady who averaged 10.6 points and six assists a game.

“I’ve spoken to China [Antoine] about the injury and she just told me to rehab very hard”, said Harris.

Antoine suffered a similar injury last season as a junior and has since recovered for her senior season.

Major colleges are willing to look past Jala Harris' knee injury. (Picture courtesy of Harris)

While Jala was preliminarily devastated by the first major injury of her career, she has since bounced back and is supporting her teammates in their quest for a state championship. She’s also eager to get back on the floor.

“My recovery is going pretty well. I have my good days and bad days, but I’m going to continue to work hard in my rehabilitation.”

Some high major schools can’t wait for her to get back on the floor either, as she is receiving interest from Vanderbilt, Notre Dame, LSU, Alabama, UAB, Northwestern, Rice and Middle Tennessee.

“I don’t have a favorite because it’s early, but I’m interested right now in Vandy, Notre Dame and LSU”, said Harris, who also sports an remarkable 4.0 GPA and wants to major in physical therapy once she matriculates to a college campus in three years.

Over her first year and a half of prep ball, Jala is shown the skill set and maturity of girls’ years her senior. Handling the point, but not dominating the ball, Harris see’s the floor well, evidenced by her lofty assist average and sticks the jumper either off the bounce or via the pass. Harris’ biggest asset, her selflessness, may also be her biggest weakness.

Jala must be more aggressive in looking for her own shot; a shot that is deadly from behind the arc and inside of it, if she wants to play at the highest level down the road.

“I know I need to be assertive and look to score more, but I also feel I need to work on my defense too. “Once I do those things I’ll be okay.”

Fortunately for Harris time is on her side in both her recovery and in her development.