NEDERLAND JUNIOR EYES BIG YEAR — Jayden Davis sparks strong start for hungry Bulldogs
Published 12:16 am Friday, January 12, 2024
- Jayden Davis lines up a shot during a Nederland High Bulldogs practice this week. (Chris Moore/The News)
|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
NEDERLAND — The Bulldogs sit at the top of the district after knocking off Memorial earlier this week to raise their district record to 4-0.
Much of that is thanks, in part, to the play of 6’6” junior forward Jayden Davis, who finished with six points and seven rebounds on Tuesday night.
Davis is averaging approximately 18 points and eight rebounds per game.
However, his skillset isn’t the only thing that shines on the court.
“He is a character, for sure,” head coach Brian English said. “He likes to play around. We have to get on him and get him right sometimes. He is focused and engaged and a really good player. He is fun to be around. Smiling is contagious, and he has a good smile. For the most part, when we get him engaged, he will stay engaged. He has come a long way since he came to high school.”
Junior Jayden Davis is hoping his big season in 2023-24 puts him on the radar for college programs. (Chris Moore/The News)
English said Davis’ consistency is much improved from his sophomore season.
Davis admitted that sometimes his emotions get the best of him due to his competitive nature.
“Sometimes, I’ll get too mad in a game,” he said. “Coach English will talk to me and calm me down.”
That same fire shows when he competes against his younger sister, who is a freshman volleyball player at Nederland High.
The junior hooper has his eyes set on the next level with hopes of playing college basketball when his time at Nederland is up.
“I want to get offers,” he said. “I’m a junior, so I have one more year to get offers. I want to get my name out there, so people know who I am and what I do.”
Davis said even when he isn’t in the gym, he can be found with friends getting shots up wherever they can.
While he is a prolific scorer for the Bulldogs, Davis’ ability to crash the boards might be his best attribute.
“I try to bring a lot of energy to the team,” he said, adding he tries to be a tenacious rebounder. “You always have to box out. Even if you can’t get the board, you have to fight.”
Davis tries to model his game after an NBA player with the same last name in Lakers Anthony Davis.
The Bulldogs will get a tough test Friday when they take on Barbers Hill, who also sits atop the district with a 22-3 record and is also 4-0 in district play.
