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Keith High guard JaKayla Moore no longer has to fight for recognition and respect.

Moore is named The Selma Times-Journal girls’ basketball player of the year after leading the Lady Bears to the Class 1A state tournament.

“I feel real good about that,” Moore said “I put in a lot of hard work.”

In a few seasons. Moore went from unknown to becoming the best player in Dallas County following a stellar junior season.  She became known across the state.

During the season, Moore averaged 16 points, seven rebounds, six assists and four steals a game for the Lady Bears (19-10). She made the Area 5, Class 1A tournament team and was Central Regional MVP. She also made the Alabama Sports Writers Association All-State team. 

Keith’s coach Cecil Williams noticed the growth in Moore each season since joining the team as a seventh grader.

“From the seventh grade until now which is the eleventh, her skills and confidence have improved and this year has been the best,” Williams said. “JaKayla is a very talented young lady.”

Moore insists the Lady Bears run to the Final Four was just about her. Aniyah Richardson, Shania Moore, Adasia Atkins, and Janiyah King are the other Lady Bears’ starters. Moore credited Williams and assistant coach Salisha Robinson. 

“We worked hard, put in extra work,” Moore said. “We came together as a team and bonded. We went through everything together, and it showed.”

With the return of Moore, Shania Moore, Atkins and King. Keith will be in position to make another state championship run next year

“We’re going to work hard during the summer, come back and win another area title and play for the state title and win it,” Moore said.

For the moment, Moore is concentrating on her current sport, softball. During the fall, she plays volleyball.. Basketball is always in the middle of her busy sports schedule, which she enjoys.