A boisterous, standing-room only crowd filled up Benson Gymnasium – the home of Rivers basketball – in early March. But by halftime, it was silenced.
Rivers, in its quest for a NEPSAC Class B title three-peat, trailed rival Brooks by 13 at halftime in the semifinals. The favorites were on the ropes. The Red Wings needed a big second half to keep their dream alive.
And just like he did so many times, Jay Jones answered the call.
A day later, Jones and Rivers claimed their third consecutive championship.
It wouldn’t have been possible without Jones. The run personified the 6-foot-5, do-it-all, Penn-bound combo guard with a knack for big plays who became one of the best talents in the region. It didn’t come as a surprise. Jones comes from a basketball family. His father, Joe Jones, is the longtime head coach at Boston University. His uncle, James Jones, is the longtime head coach at Yale. And his sister, Sydney Jones, plays at Bowdoin College. Jay has always breathed basketball.
But it also didn’t come by accident. While Jay has great pride for his family and his roots, he never wanted to be given anything he didn’t deserve because of his name. He earned everything he got.
“He never wants anyone to think he’s getting anything because of who I am,” Joe said. “He wants to be acknowledged for who he is and what he brings to the table.”
