DALTON, Ga. — Entering her senior season, Northwest Whitfield High School’s Jada Griffin found herself in a new role under unexpected circumstances.

After enjoying a breakout junior season in 2018, one that saw her named the Daily Citizen-News All-Area Girls Basketball Player of the Year, Griffin learned her coach would be stepping down for her final season. Having enjoyed playing with older players during the first three years of her high school career, Griffin also faced the prospect of leading this year’s Lady Bruins team as the only senior on the roster.

The question marks and the added pressure were there, but despite the changes Griffin shined, leading Northwest to a record of 23-6 and a berth in the Sweet 16 of the Class 4A state playoffs. Along the way, she set the school record for most points in a single season at 656, tied the school single-season record for rebounds at 298, along with leading the area in points per game at 22.8 and rebounds per game at 10.1.

For her efforts, Griffin has been named the 2019 Daily Citizen-News All-Area Girls Basketball Player of the Year.

“I was really surprised last year when I won it, because there were so many great players around here,” Griffin said. “This year was tough at times, but I’m proud of what we did. Even though we didn’t win region, we had a lot of tough games where we overcame adversity and won. I’m proud of my teammates and myself for those moments.”

Griffin was the heartbeat of the Lady Bruins, serving as the unquestioned leader for a team that featured several underclassmen in key roles. After playing on teams with large senior classes for her first three seasons at Northwest, stepping into a leadership role was something new for the Lady Bruins’ star forward. A challenge from Northwest assistant coach Kelsey Ikerd last summer paved the way for Griffin to step into that role.

“I met with her one day last summer and told her we really needed her to grow up this year,” Ikerd said. “I told her all the other girls would look to her and she decided since day one that her attitude would lead the way. She took it all in stride, and her response really led her teammates.”

Griffin said no one has helped her game more than Ikerd. The player-coach relationship that allowed Ikerd to be physical in practice with Griffin, fostered a competitive spirit within Griffin which allowed her to thrive through contact in games. Griffin’s willingness to be coached and her pure athleticism made an impression on Northwest’s first-year coach Bob Williams, as well.

“She’s probably one of the best offensive players I’ve ever coached,” Williams said. “Fourty-four years (Northwest) has been open, and she set the single-season record. Every game she had her moments, and when she got going our team got going.”

Over spring break, Griffin spent plenty of time in the car making recruiting visits to Belhaven University, Georgia College and State University and Chattanooga State Community College. She said she plans on making one more visit to the University of Alabama-Birmingham before she makes her final decision on her college choice, a decision she didn’t realize was an option until this past year.

“I never really thought about playing in college,” Griffin said. “I always wanted to, but I never really thought it would be a possibility. My mom is really big on education, so we’re looking at that the most. I don’t even think she cares if play college basketball or not, just as long as I get a college education.”

Wherever she decides to attend college, Griffin said she plans on pursuing a degree in social work. According to those who know her best, Griffin’s personality shines brightest when she’s around kids. With a propensity to work with children, Griffin hopes to make a difference in the lives of others who are dealing with life’s struggles.

It was clear to see the Griffin’s selflessness on the court this season, as well. On the night she scored her 1,000th career point, the senior looked genuinely shocked to have reached the milestone. The team fed off her energy, and accord to Ikerd, the person Griffin is off the court is as impressive as the player she is when she’s in uniform.

“If you watch her from the stands you get a certain idea of who she is, but when you talk to her off the court she’s really kind of shy,” Ikerd said. “But she genuinely cares about her teammates, and you don’t see that all the time with players who score as many points as she did. She never wanted to let her teammates down, and it was never about her. That’s what I’ll remember.”