PITTSBURG — The net barely has time to settle these days. 

Every flick of Jakayla Davis’ wrist feels historic, and every basket put her deeper into St. Mary’s Colgan lore. And through it all — the records, the rankings, the roar of rival gyms — Davis rarely changes expression. 

She just lives in the moment. 

Late last month against Girard, the Colgan senior guard etched her name permanently atop the school’s scoring list, surpassing the previous mark of 1,773 points set two years ago by former teammate Lily Brown.  

Davis didn’t celebrate much. In fact, she didn’t even know she had done it until after the final horn. 

“I didn’t even realize it until after the game,” Colgan coach Abby Farabi said. “To be completely honest she had no idea. Kay is a very humble kid. You never see her gloat, flex, really show any emotion. She just expects to be good.” 

Now, Davis stands just 22 points shy of another milestone — 2,000 career points. If she reaches it, she would become only the 31st player in Kansas girls basketball history to do so. The opportunity could come tonight in a rematch with rival Frontenac, the same team she torched for 41 points on Feb. 12. 

It’s the latest chapter in what has become a dazzling senior season. 

Davis is averaging 30 points per game to go along with 6 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 3.4 steals, powering the Panthers to an 18-2 record and a No. 6 ranking in Class 2A. Colgan’s only losses have come against larger schools in Topeka-Hayden and Nevada (Mo.) 
 

“I just try to trust my teammates and my coaches,” Davis said. “Knowing that they have my back helps a lot. I have had a great experience here at Colgan. I love the atmosphere and I love the coaches and my teammates. Everyone here supports each other and it is just a great community to be a part of.” 

Her scoring record was never a stated goal. 

“It wasn’t necessarily a goal of mine to break the record and it is just something that happens along the journey for me,” Davis said. “I know that I am a big scoring part of my team, but there is no way that I could do it without my teammates.” 

If anything, Davis has broadened her game in her final season. 

About a week after breaking the all-time scoring mark, she buried 10 3-pointers in a win over Baxter Springs, setting a new school record for most 3s in a single game. She missed only three shots that night. 

“She doesn’t usually get nine open looks in a game — she’s usually having to create her own,” Farabi said. “But she only missed three shots. It speaks volumes of the shooter that she is. This is where she has improved her game the most, her ability to shoot the deep ball and get rid of it quickly.” 

Farabi admits she’s often left in awe. 

“I didn’t know how she could improve her game more than she had, but she has,” Farabi said. “She is such a threat in all areas — driving, shooting, defending. She just has become the all-around player this season.” 

Davis’ evolution hasn’t just been statistical. 

After Colgan graduated five seniors from last year’s state tournament team, Davis was thrust into a new role as the unquestioned leader. For someone who admits she isn’t naturally vocal, it required growth. 

“My leadership role definitely had to change for me this year,” Davis said. “I really don’t like talking very much, so I have just tried to let my teammates know what they should do and expect. I just want to make sure that they know that I have their back.” 

Farabi has noticed the difference. 

“Leadership by far,” Farabi said when asked about Davis’ growth. “She’s been on everyone’s scouting report since freshman year. She has seen more junk defense over her career than a lot of good players see in a season. But this year she has really stepped up as a vocal leader for us. She leads those younger kids by example.” 

Through it all, Davis remains even-keeled. She rarely smiles after a big shot. She rarely hangs her head after a miss. 

“I just try to be humble, but at the same time have a lot of confidence in myself,” she said. “I try to pick myself up as much as I can and my teammates do a really good job of that too.” 
 

Basketball has long been her refuge. Davis describes herself as not very social, happiest in a gym with a ball in her hands.  

Her family has supported countless hours of travel ball and extra workouts. And she shares the court with her twin sister, Janessa, — a bond that needs no explanation. 

“It is awesome having a twin sister on the team,” Davis said. “We just always know where each other is on the court. I wish everyone could experience playing with a twin." 

Yet for all the individual milestones, Davis’ focus remains fixed elsewhere. 

“Definitely the goal is to make it to state and win a championship,” she said. “Overall we just want to get better as a team and just trust each other. I feel like we all want the same thing which is win and be successful. I think we can do some special things.” 

She has already helped Colgan reach three straight state tournaments, including a pair of third-place finishes. Now, as the Panthers inch closer to postseason play again, Davis is on the verge of adding another number to her résumé — 2,000 — while chasing something that matters far more to her. 

Another shot at a state championship. 

Other basketball standouts: 
 

• Mill Valley junior Riley Marshall continued her special season on Tuesday as she eclipsed her 1,000th career point in a win over Shawnee Mission West. She has helped the Jaguars to a 13-7 record on the season after winning just 11 games a year ago and five her freshman season. She turned in a highlight performance earlier this month against Olathe East where she scored 32 points. She had 34 points against East earlier this season. 
   

  

• Blue Valley Southwest freshman Kylie Workizer is certainly making a name for herself in her first season with the Timberwolves. Last Friday, Workizer set a school record for rebounds in a single game with 23 in a win over Blue Valley. She is averaging 10.8 rebounds a game to lead the Eastern Kansas League.