43rd article at the Independent

Andrea Jones brings spirit to Marshall sports

Chris Drummond

cdrummond@marshallindependent.com

If you spend five minutes around Marshall girls basketball senior guard Andrea Jones, you too would be captivated by her spirit. She is the one that has a smile that lights up any room, a personality that makes any gloomy day sunny and a spirit that touches anyone that she meets. Jones’ role was defined as the spirit of the Tigers, which ultimately played a part in the girls team making it to the Section 2AAA championship game this season and how she lives her life.

Jones, the daughter of Kelly (An assistant coach of Marshall volleyball) and Brian Jones (Principal of Marshall High School), is a Marshall native who was born with the condition of down syndrome, yet that didn’t stop her from competing in some of her favorite sports like basketball and swimming. Jones started playing basketball at the age of four and also started swimming at the age of seven and it was destined for her to play sports at an early age with both parents being former athletes themselves.

Jones also has three siblings, with older sister Erica, younger sister Leah, (who played on the basketball team as well) and younger brother Clayton. One of the main reasons Jones started playing basketball was she felt she was great at it and loved shooting threes. One of her favorite memories of basketball included her getting into games, and doing what she does best. Another favorite memory of hers was the final game of her basketball career as a Tiger. Jones came out from the locker room after a tough loss with the opposing team’s players coming over to personally hug her and say good job. Also, Jones elaborated on how meaningful it is to play with her younger sister Leah on the basketball team.

“It’s pretty fun,” Jones said. “When we play basketball games together, she passes me the ball and I just love everything about her.”

Jones also competed in swimming this year for Marshall, dreading the early meet events on Saturday mornings but stuck with it by riding with friends to meets. Jones did four different events: Backstroke, freestyle, breaststroke and butterfly. Both Kelly and Brian Jones spoke proudly of their daughters wanting to compete in sports.

“(We’re) extremely (proud), there’s nothing better than seeing your kids enjoy being part of a team, working hard and having success as a group,” Kelly Jones said.

“The opportunity the kids have to be a part of a team, they’re creating lifelong memories,” Brian Jones said. “They’re also learning life lessons through sport along the way.”

There were many coaches and teammates that had an impact in Jones’ life from the sports she participated in, as sports are a way to bring people together and make lifelong connections.

Jones, who has already been a participant before in the Special Olympics, will once again compete in the event in basketball, swimming and track. Upon graduation, Jones will be working with Avera in a program called Project Search, where they rotate in different areas of the hospital to learn about the occupations that they’ll be doing. From there, Jones would love to attend Augustana University.

The Jones family is a competitive and supportive family of one another. Jones spoke about the impact of her parents in her life.

“I don’t have enough words to say,” Jones said. “But they’re the best parents in my life.” However, before we moved on to the next question, Jones quipped on Brian Jones saying “But this one, not so much.” The room broke out in laughter as it was another moment in time.

Jones is an amazing example of how to do what you love and be yourself, despite dealing with limitations. Whether it is the confidence exhibited throughout the sports she played, the sass she illustrated to dad throughout the interview, her spirit is undeniable and something that captivates you anytime you’re around her. Although this is her last year as a Marshall Tiger, she will always be deemed in my eyes as the spirit of the Tigers.