A Hometown Connection
Jan 22, 2021 | Women's Basketball
With the late start to the 2020-21 season this year, Tulane's women's basketball team had ample time to build relationships within the team. But for junior Dynah Jones, sophomore Salma Bates and freshman Jerkaila Jordan the foundation had already been laid during their time at John Curtis Christian in New Orleans.
Jones was the first of the trio to come to Tulane following in her high school coach, Barbara Farris's, footsteps as a native New Orleanian to play for her hometown team. She led John Curtis to back-to-back Louisiana 5A State Championships.
"She is very intense," Jones said of Farris. "She was very hard on me, Salma and Jerkaila because she wanted us to be great. That is something that pushed me and made my work ethic even more important to me. She really groomed me into the player I am today."
Bates carried the legacy for the Patriots capturing a third straight state title for John Curtis then joined Jones for the 2019-20 season Uptown.
"I think my senior year, when Dynah left and it was just me and Jerkaila, she challenged us the most because she knew all the weight was on our shoulders," Bates said of her final year at John Curtis. "She made me grow as a player. She made me more mentally tough because coach Barbara is that type of coach who will get on you. I am just thankful I played for her because she is a great coach."
Jones welcomed the opportunity to play with her high school teammate.
"It was really cool to just have her under my wing," Jones said of Bates. "I was just pushing her in practice and making sure she had her head on straight. Coming in as a freshman and playing minutes and doing big things is very tough. It can be very nerve racking. It is just really easy to play with her because I've been playing with her for so long."
Jordan was the last remaining at John Curtis and the most decorated. She won four consecutive state championships and was named 2020 Gatorade Player of the Year in the state of Louisiana.
"Since coach Barbara had played at Tulane, she already knew what I was going to come here and do," Jordan said. "She got me ready for the college level. She knew what it was going to be. That just made it easier, especially since we all had the Tulane connection."
Their connection has only grown with their time Uptown together. Jones, as the most veteran of the bunch, has helped guide the two younger players through the adjustment to college life.
"Yeah, it was definitely comforting to have Dynah here," Bates said. "She was probably the main reason I chose Tulane. She made it easy for me."
Jordan's transition to the college life was eased by the presence of Bates and Jones.
"I think that just made my adjustment much easier because I have been building chemistry with them since 2016," Jordan said. "It is 2021 now, so they have already been here and had the experience and able to help me."
When the trio was finally reconnected, it was a joyous day.
"They were really excited when I committed here," Jordan said. "I think they were trying to be easy on me. They told me it was going to be fun and we were going to win a lot of games. They also said we were going to have that Curtis connection and win some championships here like we did at Curtis. They get on me sometimes, which is good because we have that type of connection. We can get on each other and not take offense to it. We are just trying to make each other better."
All three have made their presence felt for the Green Wave. Jones earned American Athletic Conference All-Freshman Team in 2019 and was named the conference's Sixth Player of the Year in 2020. She has also become a regular starter for the Olive and Blue in the 2020-21 season.
Bates is currently second on the team with 32 assists this season. She has also logged multiple assists in 15 games in her young career.
Jordan has made an immediate impact for the Green Wave this season. She is one of two players that have started every game in the 2020-21 season. The New Orleans native has also been named Freshman of the Week by the American Athletic Conference four times and the Player of the Week once. She leads the team in scoring and assists.
Although they may have a great on-court relationship, the impact reaches far beyond.
"That is my girl forever," Jones said of the relationship. "They are like my little sisters. It is really a family atmosphere with us."
Bates feels the same about their connection.
"It is just like having a big sister on and off the court," Bates said of Jones. "I can learn from her. She is always pushing me and getting on me when I need that. It is just more encouraging and makes me want to work harder every day."
Jordan entered her college career with different challenges. She came in during the COVID-19 pandemic. The freshman guard was navigating a new team and a new way of learning in the classroom.
"In the classroom, they also helped a lot," Jordan said. "My first semester here was a little rough because of COVID-19. We had to do it online. They both helped me make sure everything was turned in on time and study for my exams. Salma and I have some classes together so that was comforting."
The connection these three have built during their time in high school and at Tulane will only have time to grow as they all have at least two years of eligibility left Uptown.
The trio and the rest of the Green Wave will be back in action on Wednesday, Jan. 27, against Houston. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. at Avron B. Fogelman in the Devlin Fieldhouse.
Jones was the first of the trio to come to Tulane following in her high school coach, Barbara Farris's, footsteps as a native New Orleanian to play for her hometown team. She led John Curtis to back-to-back Louisiana 5A State Championships.
"She is very intense," Jones said of Farris. "She was very hard on me, Salma and Jerkaila because she wanted us to be great. That is something that pushed me and made my work ethic even more important to me. She really groomed me into the player I am today."
Bates carried the legacy for the Patriots capturing a third straight state title for John Curtis then joined Jones for the 2019-20 season Uptown.
"I think my senior year, when Dynah left and it was just me and Jerkaila, she challenged us the most because she knew all the weight was on our shoulders," Bates said of her final year at John Curtis. "She made me grow as a player. She made me more mentally tough because coach Barbara is that type of coach who will get on you. I am just thankful I played for her because she is a great coach."
Jones welcomed the opportunity to play with her high school teammate.
"It was really cool to just have her under my wing," Jones said of Bates. "I was just pushing her in practice and making sure she had her head on straight. Coming in as a freshman and playing minutes and doing big things is very tough. It can be very nerve racking. It is just really easy to play with her because I've been playing with her for so long."
Jordan was the last remaining at John Curtis and the most decorated. She won four consecutive state championships and was named 2020 Gatorade Player of the Year in the state of Louisiana.
"Since coach Barbara had played at Tulane, she already knew what I was going to come here and do," Jordan said. "She got me ready for the college level. She knew what it was going to be. That just made it easier, especially since we all had the Tulane connection."
Their connection has only grown with their time Uptown together. Jones, as the most veteran of the bunch, has helped guide the two younger players through the adjustment to college life.
"Yeah, it was definitely comforting to have Dynah here," Bates said. "She was probably the main reason I chose Tulane. She made it easy for me."
Jordan's transition to the college life was eased by the presence of Bates and Jones.
"I think that just made my adjustment much easier because I have been building chemistry with them since 2016," Jordan said. "It is 2021 now, so they have already been here and had the experience and able to help me."
When the trio was finally reconnected, it was a joyous day.
"They were really excited when I committed here," Jordan said. "I think they were trying to be easy on me. They told me it was going to be fun and we were going to win a lot of games. They also said we were going to have that Curtis connection and win some championships here like we did at Curtis. They get on me sometimes, which is good because we have that type of connection. We can get on each other and not take offense to it. We are just trying to make each other better."
All three have made their presence felt for the Green Wave. Jones earned American Athletic Conference All-Freshman Team in 2019 and was named the conference's Sixth Player of the Year in 2020. She has also become a regular starter for the Olive and Blue in the 2020-21 season.
Bates is currently second on the team with 32 assists this season. She has also logged multiple assists in 15 games in her young career.
Jordan has made an immediate impact for the Green Wave this season. She is one of two players that have started every game in the 2020-21 season. The New Orleans native has also been named Freshman of the Week by the American Athletic Conference four times and the Player of the Week once. She leads the team in scoring and assists.
Although they may have a great on-court relationship, the impact reaches far beyond.
"That is my girl forever," Jones said of the relationship. "They are like my little sisters. It is really a family atmosphere with us."
Bates feels the same about their connection.
"It is just like having a big sister on and off the court," Bates said of Jones. "I can learn from her. She is always pushing me and getting on me when I need that. It is just more encouraging and makes me want to work harder every day."
Jordan entered her college career with different challenges. She came in during the COVID-19 pandemic. The freshman guard was navigating a new team and a new way of learning in the classroom.
"In the classroom, they also helped a lot," Jordan said. "My first semester here was a little rough because of COVID-19. We had to do it online. They both helped me make sure everything was turned in on time and study for my exams. Salma and I have some classes together so that was comforting."
The connection these three have built during their time in high school and at Tulane will only have time to grow as they all have at least two years of eligibility left Uptown.
The trio and the rest of the Green Wave will be back in action on Wednesday, Jan. 27, against Houston. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. at Avron B. Fogelman in the Devlin Fieldhouse.
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