Holmwood’s Ricketts happy to ‘lead from the front’
Published:Sunday | December 15, 2024 | 12:10 AMRaymond Graham - Sunday Gleaner Writer
Holmwood Technical’s netballer Jada Ricketts got the perfect send-off to her high school career, playing major roles in her team winning the rural and all-island senior titles in the ISSA competitions.
“This was my last year playing for the team, and being the defending champions for both titles, I was determined and motivated to ensure we retained both,” she admitted. “And knowing that I am the team leader, I had to lead from the front.”
Normally, it is the goal shooter who does most of the scoring, but the exceptional Ricketts, who plays in the goal attack position, has been carrying her team as main scorer and provider.
“I love playing the goal attacking role as it helps me to be very good in both defence and in attack as my role is to break up the various attacks from my opponents and at the same time combine well with my goal shooter to ensure that we score the goals to make our team win,” Ricketts stated.
She was at the helm again on Wednesday when Holmwood defeated St Catherine High 43-32 to lift the all-island title. Ricketts, named MVP, led with 34 goals from 39 attempts, supported by Reneica Jones with nine from 13.
Train with the best
Captain of the team, Ricketts was also the chief protagonist in Holmwood’s 38-30 win over Denbigh High in the rural under-19 final, scoring 33 of 39 attempts.
A member of the national under 21 team, she credits her outstanding performances for Holmwood through playing alongside the country’s leading talent.
“Training with some of the best from other teams helped me a lot as I was able to draw a lot of experience playing with them and also getting instructions from those coaches involved in the programme (national),” she shared.
In both finals this season, Holmwood proved to be strongest in the fourth quarter, a quality she attributes to their superior athleticism.
“Because of the team’s athletic prowess we knew coming into the competition that for any team to beat us, they would need a big lead going into the fourth quarter because of our solid background work.”
Apart from the coaching support at the national level, Ricketts says Carline Graham-Powell, Holmwood Technical’s long-time coach, has impacted her career both on and off the court.
“Our coach is our second mother, and we know the sacrifices she has made over the years. Winning titles is our payback for her, and this is definitely a positive way to end my high school career,” said Ricketts, who is looking forward to a solid collegiate career.
“I hope I can carry this same kind of energy in my local college career as many top high school players have gone on to do well there, and I am hoping for a bright career there, too.”