Family, teammates, fellow students, coaches, and faculty joined senior Lucy Lee this past week as she signed to continue her academic and athletic career at Sewanee – The University of the South. Her signing makes the eighth athletic signing for the senior class and more than 200 in JA history.

Currently ranked No. 3 in Girls 18s in Mississippi, she won the 6A singles title this year and served as captain of the JA varsity tennis team. She was the 6A doubles champion in 2022 and 2023. Lucy has been playing tennis for three years at JA. 

Lucy received the George Wilkinson Memorial Award from USTA Mississippi for exemplifying the qualities of composure under physical stress and emotional discipline in recognition of desire, integrity, perseverance, maturity, character, conduct, and appearance. In the classroom she has been on the honor roll and a member of the JA ACT 29+ Club.

Congratulations, Lucy!

The post Lucy Lee Signs with Sewanee appeared first on Jackson Academy.

Jackson Academy is proud and excited to announce that Brandt Walker was recently named athletic director. Currently in his seventh year at JA, he has served in a variety of coaching and administrative capacities, including overseeing the daily operations of JA’s athletic department. Walker came to JA with 14 years of coaching experience, including a decade of coaching football and track. His talents will provide the necessary leadership to ensure the Athletic Department’s success.

Since being named athletic director, Walker has filled two key positions. Brittany Ford was named head softball coach and David Duggan was named the varsity football coach.

“Leading the proud tradition of JA athletics is a great honor for me,” said Coach Walker. “My role and that of our athletic program is to equip and inspire each student athlete to achieve their God-given potential in all areas of their lives, not just sports. We want to cultivate student athletes who are prepared to make a difference in our communities, their families, and careers. JA has a championship history and I am honored to lead the charge as we continue our legacy. Go Raiders!”

The post Walker Moves Programs Forward as Athletic Director appeared first on Jackson Academy.

Head Football Coach Position Announced

Jackson Academy announced that Coach David Duggan has returned to Jackson Academy to serve as the school’s head football coach. A dedicated and veteran leader on and off the field, Coach Duggan first came to JA in the fall of 2022, armed with a wealth of knowledge, experience, and an impressive college and professional football record. 

Having just completed a term as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Kent State under Head Coach Kenni Burns, Duggan now returns to oversee the development of JA’s football program encompassing fifth through twelfth grades. He is dedicated to continuing the school’s focus on building scholar-athletes of character who reach their peak potential both inside and outside the classroom.

“I’m very excited to return to Jackson Academy as the head football coach. When I was here previously as the defensive coordinator, I really enjoyed being part of the JA community,” said Coach Duggan. “I fully support the JA philosophy of helping students to identify their talents and develop their gifts. I hope to make an impact on the student athletes by inspiring them to reach their goals and challenging them to do their best daily. I believe that developing student-athletes of character off the field and creating a positive environment will lead to winning championships on the field. I can’t wait to get started!”

A previous recruiter at Troy University, Duggan served as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Arkansas State University from 2019-2020. During that time, he helped lead the Red Wolves to a Camellia Bowl appearance in the 2019 season. Before Arkansas State, Duggan was at Western Michigan from 2016-2018. He was linebackers coach for all three seasons and the special teams coordinator for his final two. Duggan helped to lead the Broncos to two bowl appearances during his tenure and a Mid-American Conference Championship in 2016. The 2016 Broncos team finished with an undefeated regular season. It was ranked as high as 12th in the nation, leading to a berth in the Cotton Bowl for that season. The Broncos also made the Idaho Potato Bowl in the 2018 season. Duggan also had two stints at the University of Southern Mississippi from 2013-2016 and 2008-2011, with a stop at the University of North Carolina from 2012-2013. While at USM, Duggan was linebackers coach every year, special teams coordinator from 2009-2010, co-defensive coordinator in 2011, and defensive coordinator from 2013-16. Duggan and his wife, Lynne, have two daughters, Olivia and Grace.

In his announcement, Athletic Director Brandt Walker said, “I look forward to Coach Duggan’s leadership, expertise, and guidance not only at the helm of JA’s football program but also within the school and community.”

Brittany Ford to Become Head Softball Coach 

Jackson Academy announced that Brittany Ford has been selected as the new head softball coach for next year’s season. Coach Ford has been an assistant coach for the softball and basketball teams, as well as the head girls track coach team during the past three years. Her love and passion for JA speak volumes about her as a coach and a person. 

Coach Ford confirms her mission “is to teach young girls life lessons of character, respect, faith, and love through the game of softball. I will work every day to develop confidence, accountability, and work ethic in each athlete through discipline, expectation, and love. I will work hard to help this program produce young women of character who will one day be women of power, have undeniable FAITH, and take true pride in their school.” 

Athletic director Brandt Walker said in his announcement, “I look forward to having Coach Ford, a proven leader at JA, as the next head coach of our softball program. Her coaching ability and proven work ethic will be a great asset to our team, athletic department and school.”

The post Head Coaching Positions Announced for 2024-2025 appeared first on Jackson Academy.

Color Me Raider is an annual fundraiser for the JA Athletic Booster Club. Registration is now open at jacksonacademy.org/colormeraider for this event! The races will be on Thursday, April 4 with the 5k starting at 5:30 p.m. and the Fun Run starting at 6:30 p.m. Registration is $40 per person and includes race entry, admission to the Kids Zone, and admission to the JA vs. Hartfield baseball game at Raider Park. Registration will close online March 28, but walk-up registration is available at packet pick-up April 3-4. We encourage you to register early as shirt sizes are limited! For more information, email colormeraider@jacksonacademy.org. 

The post Color Me Raider: April 4, 2024 appeared first on Jackson Academy.

On Wednesday night at Mississippi College, the Raiders defeated MRA for their fifth MAIS Overall Basketball Championship. The Raiders won their last 22 games in a row, finishing the season at 36-1, which is the best record in school history. The team’s lone loss came to 7A Pascagoula in December.

On Wednesday, the Raiders fell behind early to a hot shooting MRA team as they trailed by 10 at the end of the first quarter. JA turned up the defensive pressure in the second and third quarters and pulled away from the Patriots as they won 70-59 and defeated MRA for the third time this season. The Raiders did not lose to a team from the MAIS the entire season.

JA had five members of the team selected to the All-Tournament Team. Schyler Chambers, Caleb Gaitor, Fisher Waldrop, Mason Williams, and Mike Williams. The Raiders had four players in double figures for the game Mason (23), Mike (18), Gaitor (11) and Goodloe (10). 

Coach Taylor is in his fifth year at Jackson Academy, and second year as head coach. He has now compiled a 58-11 record in his two seasons at the helm. 

To read the story at goraiders.org, click here.

The post Raiders Complete School Record Season with Overall Title appeared first on Jackson Academy.

JA won the MAIS Overall Semifinal game over Oak Forest 38-35. JA advances to the MAIS Overall Tournament championship game on Wednesday, February 28, at 7:45 p.m. in a match-up vs. MRA. JA held a pep rally on Wednesday during break to cheer on the team! Come to Mississippi College to support the Raiders. Watch the action online for no charge at maisnetwork.org.

The post JA Advances to MAIS Overall Finals appeared first on Jackson Academy.

The Raiders capped off a successful weekend in Madison Saturday night with JA’s tenth MAIS State Basketball Championship. They took home the 6A crown with a thrilling 54-53 victory over Jackson Prep. JA had four players make the All-Tournament Team: Caleb Gaitor, Mike Williams, Tyler Lyles, and Marcus Goodloe. The team begins its pursuit of the fifth Overall State Championship tonight in Clinton as they host Lamar Christian at 7:15 p.m. Watch all the action at maisnetwork.org. You can click here to view the bracket.

The post Boys Basketball Captures 6A State Title appeared first on Jackson Academy.

The Raiders were in Flowood on Monday night as they began their final push to the postseason. Down 1-0 in the late stages of the second half, JA found the equalizing goal from freshman Steven Hederman as his shot from 30 yards out deflected off a defender and into the goal to tie the game at 1-1. The game found its way into overtime, and in the closing moments of the first ten-minute half, Ben Jones sent in a corner kick that Zachary Elinski headed down, and it found the foot of Nicholas Harris for the game-winning goal. Next up is senior night on Thursday at The Brickyard, as JA will host St. Joseph. 

Ben Jones was honored along with two other Raider athletes as JA had three Capital Sports Top Performers:

• Ben Jones totaled 4 goals and 2 assists in wins over MRA and Madison St. Joseph and in a loss to PCS. Click here to vote for Ben for Boys High School Athlete of the Week! 
• Schyler Chambers had 18 points, 6 rebounds, 1 block, and 1 assist in the Raiders 83-40 win over Hartfield Academy.
• Marcus Goodloe scored 21 points in the Raiders 83-40 win over Hartfield Academy.

Click here to continue reading at goraiders.org. 

The post Raiders Making A Push for Soccer Playoffs appeared first on Jackson Academy.

With the conference schedule reaching the halfway mark tonight in Hattiesburg, the Raiders and Lady Raiders are both performing well. The Raiders are still unbeaten in 6A play at 4-0, while the Lady Raiders are sitting at 3-1 in second place. Last week, the Raiders were perfect at 3-0, which included three convincing wins over previously unbeaten MRA, 69-47, St. Joseph 63-36, and even an MHSAA 7A squad in Madison Central, 80-48, during The Rumble in the South. The Lady Raiders responded after their first conference loss on Wednesday with a 65-39 win over St. Joseph.

This success on the court led to some well-deserved recognition off the court. This week JA had three Capital Sports Top Performers:

• Mason Williams scored a career-high 27 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals in the win over previously unbeaten MRA.
• Mike Williams netted 24 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals against Madison Central.
• Ella King scored a career-high of 19 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists in the victory over St. Joseph.
• Ella King and Mason Williams were also chosen as nominees for Clarion Ledger Athletes of the Week. Vote below!

Vote for Players

• Vote for Ella King – Click Here
• Vote for Mason Williams – Click Here

For stories on games, scores, and more, visit GoRaiders.org.

The post Basketball Heating Up in Conference Play appeared first on Jackson Academy.

The Gatorade Player of The Year Award recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the court. Since the program’s inception in 1985, Gatorade Player of the Year award recipients have won hundreds of professional and college championships, and many have also turned into pillars in their communities, becoming coaches, business owners, and educators.

For the fifth consecutive year, the Lady Raider volleyball program boasts the top player in the state. Senior Kaylee Lowther was named the 2023-2024 Gatorade Mississippi Volleyball Player of the Year. This is the tenth time in the last 11 years a Jackson Academy athlete has received a Gatorade Mississippi Player of The Year distinction. Kaylee is also the first Libero to ever win the coveted award in the state of Mississippi. The Lady Raiders have now received the Gatorade State Award for volleyball a staggering six times.

This season, JA also continued its dominant run in the MAIS and took home the fifth straight MAIS State Volleyball Championship as the team finished 35-13. JA has now won nine state titles since volleyball began at Jackson Academy in the 2011-12 school year, and in the current five-year title run, the Lady Raiders have amassed a record of 185-33.

Volleyball Magazine recognized Kaylee as the Mississippi Player of the Year. Kaylee was named a 2023 Maxpreps Preseason 2nd Team All-American, 2023 Maxpreps Best Player in the state, 2023 SBLive Top Libero in the Nation, 2023 All-Star, AVCA Best and Brightest 1st Team, and 2023 & 2021 Under Armour Next Camp. She was also named the Scorebook Live National Libero of the Year, an American Volleyball Coaches Association 1st Team All-American, and a MaxPreps 2nd Team All-American. Kaylee is one of 50 athletes from across the country to receive this AVCA All-American title and the only Mississippian on the 1st team. Kaylee is one of 60 athletes from across the country to be named a 2nd Team MaxPreps All-American.  She is the only athlete from Mississippi to be named to that list.

Considered among the top four defenders in the nation, Kaylee finished this season with a new school season record as she logged 719 digs. She also recorded 86 aces, 122 assists, and 605 receptions this year. The MAIS Division I Player of the Year, she concluded her prep volleyball career with 1,642 digs. In the classroom, she has earned a spot on the JA Academy Honor Roll and Honor Roll multiple times and was the 2022 & 2023 AAU Academic All American. She will be continuing her academic and athletic career in volleyball with the University of Southern Mississippi in the fall.

Other Volleyball Recognitions

South All-Region Team by prepvolleyball.com 

• Ava Antonaros
• Harper Griffin
• Sophia Sosa

2026 Fall Star by prepvolleyball.com

• Keira Hariel 

AVCA Honorable Mention All-American- one of 150 athletes from across the country to be named to the Honorable Mention Team and one of 300 named to an All-American List. 

• Harper Griffin 
• Ava Antonaros

MaxPreps Freshman All-American Team (15 freshmen in the nation)

• Carson Caraway

Vballrecruiter.com Freshman All-American

• Carson Caraway

Freshman of the Year Finalist by vballrecruiter.com (1 of 9)

• Carson Caraway 

Other Athletic Recognitions

Capital Sports Performers of the Week

• Gracelyn Carmichael – December 11
• Ben Jones -Soccer, December 18 
• Mike Williams – December 18
• Ella King – January 8
• Mason Williams – January 8

Mississippi Scoreboard PriorityOne Bank Metro Jackson Boys Player of the Week

• Mike Williams – December 15

The post Athlete Named JA’s 10th Gatorade Player of the Year appeared first on Jackson Academy.