Jackson aims to be the right match for Shawnee

SOUTH POINT — SOUTH POINT — Saratina Jackson is a basketball player, a volleyball player, a softball player and a track thrower. But there is another thing that has helped her realize her dream: she’s a mismatch.

The 5-foot-9 senior has the unique ability as a pivot player in basketball to create mismatches for opponents and that talent led to her signing a letter-of-intent on Friday to play for the Shawnee State Bears.

“The schools I talked to all say that I’m a mismatch,” said Jackson. “They say I’m a mismatch because I can shoot the 3-ball so it’s hard for post players to come out and guard me. And when I’m a post player, I’m quick and it’s hard for the bigger girls to guard me.”

South Point's Saratina Jackson

“Saratina had a lot of talent. She can play inside and she can play outside,” said Lady Pointers’ coach Dave Adams. “The next level is going to be a step up like everything else. It’s a little quicker.”

Besides Shawnee State, Jackson talked to several schools including Bethany College and Indiana Tech.

Although she had multiple options, she settled on the Bears.

“Shawnee felt more like home,” said Jackson.

Jackson was a second team Division 4 All-District selection and was honorable mention All-Ohio her senior season.

The Lady Pointers’ center and power forward averaged 11.5 points and 9.0 rebounds along with 2.5 assists this past season.

For her career, Jackson scored more than 900 points and pulled down 500-plus rebounds despite missing half of her freshman season due to an injury.

The idea of playing at the next level planted its seed in Jackson even before high school.

“In middle school, I told myself this summer I’ll do great and put in the work,” said Jackson. “I put in the work and I saw potential and people always gave me compliments and I was ‘OK, I can do something with this.’”

Adams was smiling as he watched Jackson sign.

“I’m excited for her because this has always been her dream,” said Adams.

Jackson said she just wants to keep working and pointed toward the goal of getting freshman of the year and reaching 1,000 points by her senior year.

Although Jackson plays four sports, basketball is her true love.

South Point Lady Pointers’ senior All-Ohio basketball standout Saratina Jackson signed a letter-of-intent on Friday to play for the Shawnee State University Bears. Attending the signing ceremony were: seated left to right, mother Julia Murphy, Saratina, and father Johnnie Jackson; standing left to right, Shawnee State assistant coach Keisha Anderson and assistant head coach Marnae Holland. (Photo by Tim Gearhart)

“Basketball for sure,” said Jackson. “Basketball has always been my problem solver. It’s something I could always go to outside whenever I felt stress. I started to like it and it just took off from there.”

Playing basketball was ingrained in Jackson’s mind from an early age. Jackson said she started playing at the age of two.

“I had a mini-basketball hoop in my house and it was always so fun,” Jackson said.

Besides sports, Jackson has other talents.

“I can draw. Some say I’m an artist,” she said. “I like to draw and paint. I also like to build. I was thinking about physical work before college.”

Jackson plans to major in health and science.

“I’m planning on being a doctor,” said Jackson.