ROCKINGHAM — Freshman basketball player Madisen Jackson has been named the Official Richmond County Female Student-Athlete of the Week presented by Rockingham NC Self Storage.
Jackson’s efforts during a three-game stretch helped the Lady Raider basketball team reach the championship game of the Cumberland County Basketball Holiday Classic tournament
Netting a single-game career-high in scoring during the middle of the three games helped Jackson earn her first career selection.
Athletic Profile
Year: Freshman
Winter sport: Basketball
Position: Forward
Varsity experience: 1 season
Other sports: Volleyball, soccer
CLASSROOM CREDITS WITH MADISEN JACKSON
Jackson is one of two freshmen on the Lady Raider varsity basketball team this season and she’s nearing the end of her first semester of high school at the Ninth Grade Academy.
With finals week quickly approaching, Jackson is looking to close up her four classes with high marks. She was an A honor roll student during the first nine weeks of the school year and is a member of the FFA.
An honors student, Jackson is currently enrolled in English I Honors, World History Honors, Weight Training Honors and takes Agriscience Applications Honors at the high school.
Next semester, Jackson will take Earth and Environmental Science Honors, Math II Honors, Weight Training Honors and Computer Science I.
“Transitioning to high school was pretty easy, but it’s a little bit more difficult than middle school,” Jackson said. “I have to make sure I’m staying on top of my work and I get encouragement from my parents and my sister. My first semester has been really good.
“My favorite class is weight training because I get to work out and get stronger for athletics,” she added. “I also really like how big high school is and getting the chance to meet new people.”
“CAREER HIGH” WITH MADISEN JACKSON
The Lady Raiders finished at the runner-up in the latest edition of Cumberland County’s holiday tournament, winning their first two games before falling to tournament champion Cape Fear High School.
During those three games, Jackson averaged 13.3 points per game to go along with 6.6 rebounds per game.
In a 62-58 win over Overhills High School to start the tournament, Jackson scored eight points, four in each half. She collected five rebounds and one assist in the win.
She followed that with her best scoring performance of her high school career, netting 23 points in a 56-38 bruising of Jack Britt High School. Jackson added seven rebounds and two steals.
Playing a big part of the offense early against the Lady Buccaneers, Jackson scored 14 points in the first half. She scored 10 points in the first quarter on five field goals. In the second half, she recorded her final nine points.
Despite holding a lead late against Cape Fear, the Lady Raiders lost the championship game 61-51. Jackson capped her tournament with nearly a double-double, finishing with nine points and eight rebounds.
Through 11 games this season, Jackson is averaging 8.4 points per game, which is third on the team. She’s also averaging 5.3 rebounds per four quarters (second on the team) and leads the team’s starters with a 53% shooting clip.
The Lady Raiders (7-4, 2-0 SAC) will head to Hoke County High School (2-10, 0-2 SAC) on Friday and start play at 6 p.m.
RAPID RESPONSE VIDEO WITH MADISEN JACKSON In her video interview, Jackson talks about her holiday tournament success, shares what the Lady Raiders need to continue to do to chase a conference title and reveals who is the most athletic person in her family. The Richmond Observer will publish its Official Richmond County Male Student-Athlete of the Week soon.
