VB's Jones connects on long-range shots

In the first half of Saturday's Van Buren Classic game against Ozark, Van Buren's Bailey Jones was held scoreless. Then to begin the second half, Jones hit a 3-pointer, which got her, and the Lady Pointers, going. Jones ended up scoring 18 points and hit five 3's as Van Buren, which led by just four at halftime, pulled away for a 56-30 win. The Lady Pointers also had nine 3's in the second half. "With me, I had to just keep shooting and my teammates believe in me and they always try to find me. ... It took me a while to get going, but once I did, I did (make shots) and I thank my teammates for getting me the ball," Jones, a senior guard, said. For the two-game Van Buren Classic, Jones - selected as the Times Record's Athlete of the Week - had 27 points and hit eight 3's. She had three 3's in Van Buren's 59-52 win against Huntsville on Thursday. In perhaps her biggest shot in Saturday's win, Jones hit a 3-pointer as she was fouled with time running out in the third. She went to the foul line to complete the four-point play, which gave Van Buren a 38-23 lead. "I would (say that was my best 3) because I think that was a momentum shot," Jones said. "It picked all of us up and that was a great pass from Jamilyn (Kinney); she found the open person because (my defender) helped off. ... It was a momentum swing for us." Jones then hit back-to-back 3's to begin the scoring in the fourth, as the Lady Pointers were in control, going up 44-23. It was the second-highest point total for Jones, a two-year starter for the Lady Pointers after moving to Van Buren from Alma before her junior season. She had 29 points last season in a game against Greenwood. In three games this season, Jones has connected on 10-of-17 3-point shots. "I work on (shooting) every single day," she said. "It definitely always has been my biggest strength. ... Also as a team, every day we're shooting as much as we can." Van Buren (2-1) will take part in this weekend's Tournament of Champions being held at Southside. The Lady Pointers open up Thursday night against Tulsa (Okla.) East Central.

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VB'S JONES CONNECTS ON LONG-RANGE SHOTS

BUCK RINGGOLD

Times Record | 12/6/2016