Jakayla Bunch wasn’t the biggest player on the floor and didn’t average the most points, but Springdale girls basketball Coach Heather Hunsucker said those numbers didn’t come close to measuring her worth.
The 5-7 Bunch led a defensive charge that wreaked havoc on opponents and helped Springdale advance to the second round of the Class 6A state tournament.
“She was definitely our engine,” Hunsucker said. “I was really worried what we’re going to do because we lost some quickness on the ball and that’s what Jak provided.
“As far as an on-the-ball defender, I don’t know that I’ve ever coached a kid that was better. And I’ve coached a lot of really good kids. On the ball, she just creates so much havoc, constantly getting deflections, tips, steals, making people pick up their dribble.”
Bunch, a two-time all-conference selection, averaged 6.5 points per game along with 4 steals and 4 deflections per game.
She will close her high school basketball career Saturday playing for the West in the Arkansas High School Coaches Association All-Star game. Tip-off is slated for 1 p.m. at the Farris Center on the campus of the University of Central Arkansas in Conway.
She has signed to play at Crowder College in Neosho, Mo.
Hunsucker said Bunch was part of a senior group that provided tremendous leadership for her team.
“Nobody on our roster had ever played in a state tournament,” Hunsucker said. “So the fact that they took us there and got over that round one hump, I think just really spoke volumes of this team and the leadership of Jak and seniors.”
Hunsucker also said Bunch also had the ability to guard multiple positions despite her lack of height.
“When we played Fayetteville, she had to guard the point guard and then guard the post some,” Hunsucker said. “Jak just had this unique ability to guard multiple positions with her strength. She’s very strong.”
Bunch said she understands the importance of defense and took pride in how her team performed during her senior season.
“In my head, I feel like defense wins games,” Bunch said. “Our team was a defensive team, and our defense led to offense. I think that helped us win more games. I feel like my senior year was a success.We beat a lot of teams compared to my 10th- and 11th-grade years. Just being with my family, my teammates for that was big. It was a long journey up to that last game, then it was very sad.”
Bunch also improved her offense thanks to making an unusual change following her junior year. She had shot left-handed throughout her career, but a teammate suggested trying it with her right hand. Hunsucker took a look and liked what she saw.
“When she did shoot it that way, it was way more natural and a better shot,” Hunsucker said. “So we stuck with it.”
Bunch saw results, too, as her free throw and overall shooting percentages went up. Her confidence went up as well.
“I didn’t have to worry about me going to the free-throw line and think about making the shot,” Bunch said.
