It’s been a spectacular start to the new year for Colby’s Jordan Jones.
Jones returned from the holiday break by pouring in a career-high 40 points in a 75-51 win over Larned on Jan. 2, hitting the 1,000-point milestone in the process.
Four days later, the 6-foot-1 senior guard exploded for a school-record 51 points in a 97-31 win over Hoxie.
“For me, it's just about being relaxed,” Jones said. “(Before the game) a lot of people try to listen to music, not talk to anybody. I just have a good time, feel relaxed and try to be in the moment. I try not to be too serious.”
Jones immediately got into the zone against Hoxie, scoring 14 first-quarter points. He had 23 by halftime before putting up 16 in the third and 12 in the fourth. Jones hit eight 3-pointers.
Colby’s previous single-game record was believed to be held by Mike Mountford, who had a 45-point game in 1986.
“I knew I had a lot, but I try not to worry about it,” Jones said. “If I start worrying about it, I start playing bad, but it felt like I had a good game.
“I wish I could take credit, but God has given me this ability, so I continue to give Him every single game. (On Tuesday) He just decided to allow me to make a lot of shots.”
After averaging 19 points as a junior, Jones has upped his average to 27 points per game this season.
Jones is the only returning starter off a Colby team that finished 11-10 last season. Longtime Eagles coach Tom Stephens retired following the season with more than 500 career victories. His son, Reed Stephens, was promoted from assistant to head coach.
“Jordan is a very dynamic scorer and a great leader for our team,” Reed Stephens said. “We go the way he goes, so when he is hot it’s really fun to watch. Our guys feed on that and have really come together as a team so far this year. We have a really tough schedule so it’s nice to get some momentum when we can and use that in each game moving forward.”
The Eagles are 6-2 this season with losses to Life Prep (66-57) and No. 3-ranked Holcomb (67-58).
“I'm the only returning starter, but I’ve been playing with these guys since middle school and I have full confidence,” Jones said. “Unfortunately, we dropped two hard games at the beginning of the season, but this second half, I'm feeling really good about us.”
Jones, who is also the reigning Class 3A state champion in the 300 hurdles, said he’s trying to soak up his senior year.
“I put in the work, put in the hours in the gym. I just got to trust it,” Jones said. “I’m really just focused on staying relaxed and having fun this year.”
Colby will play at Goodland on Tuesday.
OTHER WESTERN KANSAS BOYS BASKETBALL STANDOUTS
– South Central’s Jack Herd recently hit the 1,000-point career milestone. The Timberwolves are 6-1 on the season and ranked No. 2 in Class 1A Division I.
– Rawlins County’s Trey Carlson is averaging 19.9 points, 14.4 rebounds, 2.9 blocks, 4.7 steals and 2.9 assists. He scored 27 points and hauled in 21 rebounds in a win against Wheatland-Grinnell and had 21 points and 17 rebounds against Wallace County.
– The Holcomb Longhorns currently sit 9-0 on the season, despite losing five seniors from last season’s 17-5 team. Holcomb has 7 seniors that all play a pivotal role in this season's early success along with a couple of sophomores that contribute key minutes as well. The Longhorns are 3-0 in GWAC play and are coming off a win over 6A Garden City. The Longhorns play Lakin and Ulysses this week before heading into the Hillsboro tournament next week.
– Hays knocked off previously-unbeaten Emporia in a 55-54 thriller on Friday. Dawson Ruder scored the game-winning bucket on a putback with 11 seconds left. The Indians moved to 7-3 on the season.
– Central Plains’ Brodie Crites poured in 36 points in a 61-42 win over Sylvan-Lucas on Saturday. Camden Stiles put up 33 against Beloit-St. John’s. The Oilers are 8-0 on the season.
– Hugoton is 6-2 on the season, with five of their eight games played against Class 5A and 6A schools. The Eagles captured the Garden City Roundball Classic title in December, beating Lawrence Free State in the title game.
– Edward Horinek is averaging 20.5 points for Beloit-St. John’s. Horinek has scored 20 or more points in five games this season with a season-high 30 against Phillipsburg.
– Victoria is 6-1 and ranked No. 4 in Class 1A Division II.
– Thunder Ridge is out to an 8-0 start. Evan Slavik was averaging 26.3 points for the Longhorns through seven games. He scored 36 against Pike Valley on Jan. 2.
– Colten Musil is averaging 22.6 points for 5-2 Deerfield. He scored 35 against Moscow.
– Kinsley is off to its best start in years at 5-2. Ty Clawson is averaging a double-double and has recorded two games with over 20 points and 20 rebounds.