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On Wednesday, Charles Henderson High School senior Jada Jones signed her letter-of-intent to continue her softball career at Xavier University of Louisiana.

Jones said her educational aspirations helped lead her to Xavier.

“They have a really good medical school,” she said of her decision. “They’re an HBCU, so that kind of geared me to go there, too, but I also want to major in chemistry, so I can go into pharmacy and that had a big impact on my decision.”

Jones also has family in Louisiana.

“I have family there, so we go (to Louisiana) sometimes and visit family,” she continued. “I also went there a few times on visits and I really liked the area. I think it will be a good fit for me.”

Jones is eying the world of pharmaceuticals post college and she’s already thinking of goals for college.

“I want to major in chemistry and go into pharmacy because I think it’s important to deal with people on the medical side of things,” Jones said. “Everyone needs medicine to stay healthy. Also, I just want to continue to play softball and have fun at the college level.”

Jones is a three-year starter for the Charles Henderson Lady Trojans softball team. She earned All-Messenger honors last season and was her team’s MVP with a .360 batting average to go along with seven doubles, three triples, her first career home run, 17 RBIs, 15 stolen bases and 44 runs. She also held a .946 fielding percentage with 51 putouts, two assists and a double play.

For her career, Jones boasts a .339 batting average with 106 career hits, 16 doubles, four triples, one homer, 42 RBIs, 32 stolen bases, 109 runs and a career .904 fielding percentage.

“She’s been an amazing player here really since 2021,” CHHS Coach Sonny Kirkpatrick said. “You could see her progression every year and the last three year’s she’s played lights out. She’s someone that is steady and reliable, you never have to worry about her preparation. She shows up every day and she’s going to give you her best effort on offense and defense and you can’t ask for a better player than that.”

Jones also plays for the CHHS flag football team and qualified for the state track meet in both indoor and outdoor track and field last season. With her college choice out of the way, Jones is setting her sights on her senior softball campaign.

“I want to in the Top 10 and keep my good grades and have a good softball and track season,” Jones emphasized. “That’s what I’m concentrating on.”