By Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

SOUTH POINT — When it came to playing soccer, Jasmyn Jones really didn’t have much of a say-so in the matter.

Jones began playing soccer in the first grade as she followed her sister Kaelyn into the sport. She said her mother, Tamara Jones, was the key reason why she began playing soccer.

“Mom just threw me in to see if I would like it because she threw Kaelyn in,” Jones said with a chuckle. “But it was an amazing sport and I knew it was going to be my passion. I’m just really glad I stuck with it,”

The South Point Lady Pointers senior All-Ohio soccer standout wasn’t thrown into her future college. She had narrowed her college choice to Kentucky Christian University, Shawnee State University and the University of Pikeville and on Thursday she signed a letter-of-intent to play for the Bears.

“(KCU and Shawnee) didn’t stick out like UPike did,” said Jones. “UPike was just a very nice school and everyone there was very sweet and I just loved the environment that they had.”

Jones has also played basketball and ran track but soccer was always her favorite sport.

“Playing soccer it just feels like the whole world is in my hands. I feel like I glorify God in the sport more than another sport” said Jones.

“It gave me the love that basketball and track didn’t. I was happy that God showed me the passion for soccer.”

The Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year, Jones has played several positions in soccer but she doesn’t care what position she plays at UPike.

“I played little league and middle school and I played some midfield my freshman year. I like striker more. I just feel that where I work best with my team and that’s where my team can use me the most,” said Jones.

However, UPike head coach Logan Langseth said that watching Jones’ speed has given him different thoughts on where she will play.

“I came here for her last basketball game on senior night,” said Langseth. “The position we’re looking for her to play outside player and her speed is something I think will help us in the fall and in the future.

“I’m a little similar to her in basketball. I’m very fast, I can get any ball, any rebound even being a short guy, and I can get to the other side really fast. But I can’t shoot a basket. I can’t score a goal. And she was just like that. She would steal every ball and get down there all alone and shoot and miss.”

Langseth said he wants to utilize her speed because it’s an asset that you can’t really teach.

“It seems like from the basketball game and some of her film and seeing her play, there’s a lot of leadership qualities that come with her. Combining those two will help us in the future,” said Jones.

Although Jones is South Point’s all-time leading scorer in soccer, she said her goals are very simple.

“I just want to continue glorifying God, continue working hard, not giving up on myself, and continue keeping my head up when things get hard,” said Jones.

While sports — mainly soccer — dominate Jones’ time along with school, she said her leisure time is very simple as well.

“I lay in bed, watching TicToc, but other times I’ll goof around with my dad or hang out with my sister,” said Jones.

As for her education, Jones said she is debating between a trio of majors but she is leaning toward elementary education.

“I love working with kids,” said Jones, who is coaching a little league team now. “After I get out of college, I’ll probably take on (coaching) middle school or high school.”