BY JIM MISUNAS
Nickerson’s Ava Jones verbally committed to play basketball at the University of Iowa Sunday, ending a lengthy recruiting battle between dozens of Division 1 schools.
Simply put, the 6-2 Jones is the most talented girls post player I remember since Litte River’s Nicky Ramage. Her skill is diverse with the ability to beat double-teams along with a deft passing touch. She’s a gifted ballhandler and rebounder.
Life was perfect for the Jones family.
On July 4, the family traveled to Louisville, Ky. for one of Ava’s summer basketball tournaments with Wheat State Elite.
On July 5, the family’s life was forever altered when they were struck in Louisville by a driver arrested for impaired driving.
Their youngest son Creek Jones is OK, but the lives of Ava, her father Trey Jones and mother Amy Jones have all been dramatically affected. Trey and Amy have spent days in critical condition with life-threatening injuries.
All face uncertain futures while Ava’s all-state athletic career in volleyball and basketball is on hold while she recovers.
Great Bend’s connection with the family is Mary (Hoss) Jones, Trey’s mother, who attended Great Bend schools,
Prayers are raining down for the Jones family, as well as the driver who caused the accident.
A Sunday night candlelight vigil is scheduled at 8:45 p.m. at the high school. The United Methodist Church is building a prayer wall. The “Jones Family Fund” features donations at the Peoples Bank & Trust. A July 21 fundraiser is scheduled at Gambino’s Pizza in Sterling and South Hutchinson.
Guardian angels like Wheat State director Dylan Evans have stepped up. Evans coordinated a flight for family members to quickly travel to Kentucky.
Dozens of friends and family have journeyed to Louisville, a 740-mile trip from Nickerson.
I’m awfully proud that my son Seth Misunas has traveled to Kentucky to see his good friend Trey.
A kids basketball game offers my favorite memory of the Amy and Trey Jones family.
Their son Creek plays basketball with our grandson Adam. Creek owes his parents for his height, which he typically uses to dominate the boards. Adam is a skilled ballhandler with shooting range.
Their coach is Amy Jones. Their referee that day is Ava Jones, Creek’s older sister. Ava officiates the kids game perfectly, making the obvious calls. Between timeouts, Ava slams down dunks on the 9-foot goals.
When kids baseball started, their coaches were Trey and Amy Jones.
It’s no surprise because Amy and Trey are devoted parents.
When Amy Jones secured a job with the Nickerson school district six years ago, people grew to love the talented family with roots at Hugoton and Nickerson. Amy and her husband Trey captured state high school high jump championships.
When their son Hunter and daughter Ava also captured state high jump championships everyone understood it’s all in the genes.
Nickerson Elementary School principal Amy Jones recently earned a promotion as Nickerson USD 309 assistant superintendent. Trey is the head track coach who teaches woodshop classes at Nickerson High School.
Just a few days ago in our backyard, Creek Jones jumped for joy every time he lit a firework with his good friend Adam.
To break up the day, we welcomed the boys to our family tennis night, keyed by my son Jordan.
Trey stopped for a moment to check on Creek in the family’s golf cart.
He was thankful for the newly-constructed track and field facility at Nickerson, which has never featured a first-class facility. Jones has coached three state champions — Ava Jones and Brayden Miller (high jump) and Phillippe Manga (long jump).
