Heading into the 2024-25 basketball season, the Gainesville High School women's basketball team set a collective goal: to reach the state championship. Mission accomplished.
After falling to Lincoln in last year's district finals, the Lady Canes avenged that loss in impressive fashion, defeating Lincoln by 38 points this year. Two more victories secured their trip to Lakeland and the final four. A 54-52 win over Northeast sent them to the state championship game, where they faced top-seeded New Smyrna Beach. In a back-and-forth contest, New Smyrna Beach edged out the Lady Canes to end their eight-game winning streak, but Gainesville's season was one to remember.
"To make it as far as we did was incredible," said senior guard Jayden Terry. "We all worked extremely hard to accomplish the goals we set at the beginning of the year, and to finish my high school career getting to the finals was amazing."
Terry played a pivotal role in Gainesville’s success, scoring 14 points and pulling down 7 rebounds in the semifinals. She followed that performance with 18 points in the championship game, earning this week’s UF Health Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine Athlete of the Week honor.
"I’ve been playing with a lot of these girls since the 5th grade, and we all know how to support and play with each other," Terry said. "It’s the best group of girls, and we all have different personalities that mesh and allow us to hold each other accountable."
Terry, who transferred to Gainesville High School after playing her freshman year at The Rock, had the opportunity to play for her longtime AAU coach, Jazlynd Rollins. She credits much of her success to Rollins, who has had a significant influence on her both on and off the court.
"Coach Jazz has been such a big part of everything I do in basketball, but she’s not just a coach—she’s helped me grow into the person I am away from the game," said Terry. "I’m so happy to be with her and be a part of this run we got to make. She’s always been there for me."
Terry’s family also played a major role in her decision to pursue basketball. All of her siblings played the game, and she chose to wear the number 11 jersey after her older brother, who wore it during his time as a Purple Hurricane. It’s that strong family environment that Terry cherishes, which is part of why she decided to continue her basketball career at Louisiana Tech.
"I fell in love with the culture and the way they made me feel when I stepped on campus," Terry said. "I don’t know any of the other girls yet, but I really look forward to getting there and being a part of something special."
During her 63-game career at Gainesville High, Terry averaged just shy of 15 points per game. She also recorded a career-high 38 points and, of course, made it to the state championship game. Her accomplishments, along with being named UF Health Athlete of the Week, are a testament to her hard work and dedication.
Each weekly winner of the UF Health Athlete of the Week award is eligible for a $2,500 scholarship as the UF Health High School Athlete of the Year. The winner will be announced at the conclusion of the 2024-25 academic year.