Published: March 15, 2008 11:20 pm      

New Waverly’s Jones picks up hoops honors

Lady Dogs’ star to play in all-star game Saturday

New Waverly’s Didra Jones had a pretty exciting spring break.

First, she was invited to the play in the ninth Texas Roundup All-Star Game, one of the state’s most prestigious high school basketball events. A day or two later, Jones was told she earned a spot on the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches girls all-region team.

The Texas Roundup selects the state’s top 24 girls and 24 boys from Class A, 2A and 3A schools. A senior who led the Lady Bulldogs to the area round of the Class 2A playoffs in 2008, Jones is looking at the Texas Roundup as another opportunity to show her skills to potential college coaches.

“Scouts and coaches from all kinds of colleges will be there,” Jones said of the March 22 all-star game in Maypearl, which is south of Dallas. “I’m really excited about that — it should be a great opportunity for me.”

The girls game is scheduled for 3 p.m., and the boys game will follow at 5. Admission is $5.

Maypearl is located on FM 66, approximately 10 miles west of Waxahachie and 15 miles north of Hillsboro.

Jones and her head coach, Eldridge McAdams, have been sending tapes and letters to colleges all across Texas in hopes of drawing some interest. New Waverly’s steady, and sturdy center is looking for a chance to play at the college level.

“I want to play very badly,” Jones said. “It’s at the point now, whoever will take me, that’s where I’m going.”

Jones, who earned all-region honors as a junior last season, was picked by the TABC again this year.

“I was hoping for more, but I’ll take what I can get,” she said.