“I put a basketball in her hand at the age of 4,” recounts Anson Ross, Alisa Ross’s father. Since then, Alisa has been pounding the pavement, hardwood, or any other place that you can bounce a basketball. Basketball became a passion for her. That passion turned into collegiate basketball scholarship offers from schools throughout the state and beyond. Alisa has been a four-year starter at Callaway High School. Her full throttle playing style keeps spectators glued to the floor while she races from end to end, losing defenders as they cross her path.
This season was a good year for Alisa. She reached her goal of being listed as a dandy dozen, played in the high school allstar game, and helped guide the Lady Chargers to the state championship game for the first time in school history. Another element that made this season special was her dad, who was on the sidelines with her. Anson Ross assisted Head Coach Stacey Bailey this season. “I’ve coached her since the beginning, but it was a good feeling,” Anson Ross said. “I’m very proud of her and how she’s improved each year.”
Alisa waited a little longer to make arguably the most important decision in her young life. After months of thinking, she decided on Jackson State University (JSU). JSU beat out Delta State and Pearl River as the top choices. “I wanted to be home. I wanted my family to be able to see me play regularly,” said Alisa. “It was a tough decision, but I felt the right one.”
With the swirling questions about the head coach at JSU, it made sense for Alisa to take a little more time. “I thought about the coaching situation, but in the end, I decided to go ahead regardless,” she explained. She thought about rejoining her Callaway teammate from two years ago, Danielle O’Neal, who is with Alabama State. Her coach, Stacey Bailey was a guard at Jackson State some years ago and Alisa even solicited her advice. “She basically told me to go where I felt the most comfortable,” said Alisa.
Unlike their male counterparts, the Lady Tigers seem to be getting the recruiting game right. They targeted some of the top girls in the state and landed two of them. Not only that, Jackson talent will attract Jackson fans. With attendance being virtually non-existent, the Tigers need something that will attract the basketball community. “There is talent right here in Jackson, they have to be ready to go get it,” said Anson Ross.
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