Jay’s journey

Isaiah Jay has had quite a journey the past four years. However, it appears the Harvesters' starting forward has maneuvered past all roadblocks and is on his way to reaching his full potential.

Jay's journey began at Arlington Bowie High School, where he started his senior year until a late-season confrontation with his head coach during a game against Cedar Hill.

 "Near the end of the fourth quarter I shot an open shot, and he really didn't want me to shoot it," Jay said. "I just said I wasn't going to pass up an open shot, but that wasn't what he wanted. That's when I stopped playing, and he took me out of the starting lineup."

Although Jay wasn't highly recruited, he received interest from several schools after playing Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) basketball for DFW Select Elite and eventually earned a scholarship to play at Mississippi Valley State.

That's when Jay's basketball career hit a detour. After living in Arlington his whole life, he was unable to adjust to living in rural Itta Bena, Miss.

"I didn't take a visit up there, I just signed," Jay said. "I should have taken a visit. The whole coaching staff was good, but I just didn't like where the school was at."

After two months, he left Mississippi. The following year, Jay took his talents to Tyler Junior College, but because there were no more scholarships available, he was asked to wait another season before playing.

Jay finished the school year, but fate landed him at Eastfield the following season. Andrew Jones, a sophomore at Bowie during Jay's senior year, knew Harvesters assistant coach Antonio Richardson from AAU basketball and invited Jay to try out with him. Both made the team.

So, after striking out twice, Jay was given a third opportunity to continue his basketball career.

Last year was Jay's first college season, and he played well despite taking two years off. He was third on the team in scoring, averaging 12.7 points, and also pulled down six rebounds per game.

"I had to get back into the swing of things," Jay said. "It was kind of difficult. I couldn't do things like I really wanted to do because I wasn't in as good of shape as I am now."

In his second season, Jay is showing why he was worthy of a Division I scholarship, leading Eastfield to a 9-1 record and pacing the team with 17 points and 6 rebounds per game.

Although he contributed last year, this is Jay's first season as a go-to player. He said he learned from last year's leaders, Kevin Arnold and Kevin Harvey, how to take that next step.

"They showed me a lot," Jay said. "They showed me how to lead a team, how to just keep pushing no matter what, and not to be scared to take the last shot."

Despite his success, Jay remains humble and knows it will take a team effort for the Harvesters to reach their goals.

"I know it's not just about me. It's about the whole team," Jay said. "I just complement them. I don't have to be the leading scorer every time. I do what the team needs me to do."

Over the Thanksgiving break Jay and the Harvesters showed they were prepared to handle adversity in two nail-biting victories. In a 72-71 win over Coastal Bend, Eastfield's defense buckled down for the final two minutes and finished with an 8-0 run.

The next game was a 71-66 overtime win against Bossier Parish as  Jones hit two clutch free throws to send the game into overtime.

Jones credits his relationship with Jay for their mutual success this year.

"We're like brothers on the court," Jones said. "He knows where I'm at, and I know where he's at all the time. We've been playing together since my sophomore year, and that's how we got connected on the court."

So far, Jay appears to be making the best of his opportunity.

"He's a very talented player. He's a big kid that can shoot the ball, has good size to him, is strong, understands the game and has a good basketball IQ," coach Anthony Fletcher said. "There's been some maturation from high school to now. It's been two or three years, so you were talking about a 17-year-old kid and now you're talking about a 21-year-old man. There's a difference."

Jay may have taken the scenic route to Eastfield, but he is doing well on the court and in the classroom and appears at home with this team.

"I've had a whole bunch of time to think about it," Jay said. "I've made mistakes in my past, but I've matured over the years, so I feel like I'm a better fit now. I'm really happy. I like all my teammates, and the coaching staff is really good. I'm having a great time and doing really well."