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ECHS’ Kyjana Jordan pours in a career-high 39 in a loss
Kyjana Jordan
Effingham County Kyjana Jordan (No. 10) looks to score in the paint as teammate Kera Hawkins (No. 5) and Richmond Hills' Cullen McCormick (No. 22) watch during the Wildcats' 71-55 victory Dec. 15. Jordan finished with a career-high 39 points. (Photo by Mark Lastinger for the Effingham Herald.)

By Donald Heath

Special for the Effingham Herald


SPRINGFIELD – Effingham County’s Kyjana Jordan said she came into Friday’s basketball game with the mindset, “We’re going to have fun.”

Her team fell short against Richmond Hill, 71-55, but Jordan sure did have fun torching the Wildcats for a career-high 39 points.

The scoring burst is believed to be the most points by an ECHS girl since MaKayla Robinson scored 43 points in a loss to Camden County on Feb. 10, 2016.

“Before the game, I came out with a lot of energy and if I have a lot of energy, I’m going to have a good game,” said Jordan, a 5-foot-6 junior guard. “I knew it was going to be a tough game, but (I thought) do the best you can. Don’t get mad at anything, just keep going.”

Jordan, who leads the Rebels with a 15.7-point scoring average, may have had an idea she’d have to step up her scoring against Richmond Hill, one of the better teams (a 7-3 record) in the area. ECHS lost to the Wildcats 62-34 on Dec. 1. The 28-point margin of defeat was the Rebels’ largest this season.

Friday’s game started out looking worse. RHHS led 22-4 after the first quarter.

But Jordan’s double-digit scoring in each of the subsequent three quarters somewhat stabilized the Wildcats’ early blitz.

“Kyjana did exactly what we told her to do, ‘Just have fun,’ ” ECHS coach Danetia Jefferson-Howard said. “She had a great game and I’m proud of her. Her teammates did a great job getting the ball to her. They did some scoring too.”

Jordan, a second-team all-region performer last season, also had five 3-pointers.

She said her high-scoring game wasn’t the result of frustrations and the need to take the game into her own hands.

“It has been a little frustrating, but I know my team has my back and we’re going to keep working every day,” Jordan said. “I’m going to hit the open man. They’re going to get their shots.”

Last season, Jordan had six 20-point games and had 31 points in a win over Evans.

But she’s never had a scoring game like Friday night’s.

“(39), that’s hitting it,” she said. “I just came out to hoops for real.”

The next day, Jordan poured in 18 points in a 29-27 win over St. Andrew’s.