Jade Sawyer knows a little something about winning. She’s played a key role on two straight state quarterfinalists for the Lady Tigers basketball program, and now she’s hoping to take that attitude with her to the next level. Sawyer has signed to play basketball at Webster University in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
“I’m definitely taking the winning mentality to Webster. They’re a good team, but they’re not quite to the winning level that Republic has experienced yet, so I’m hoping I can be the person to start that there,” Sawyer says.
Sawyer blew out a knee during summer basketball, but has returned to the starting lineup for the Lady Tigers, currently ranked No. 1 in Class 5. Coach Kris Flood says Sawyer’s knowledge of basketball is part of what sets her apart.
“Webster is getting a very intelligent player. She’s run point guard and been a two-year starter and has really overcome something that happened this summer with the knee,” he says. “She hopefully is going to be a big part of getting us to the goal where we want to be. It’s just been a pleasure to coach her. (She’s) a tremendous kid–a lot of heart.”
The knee injury, forcing her to miss the first half of her senior season, was an important life lesson for Sawyer.
“I was not a patient person, but the injury taught me that I just need to work hard and I need to push myself,” she says. That’s definitely going to be in college because there’s studying and there’s basketball and I’m going to be traveling a lot, so all of those together, I’m definitely going to have to put my mind to it and work hard.”
