With three straight state championships in football and another this year in basketball, St. Joseph Catholic School athletics represent the gold standard in achievement. The class of 2020 has easily become the most accomplished on the field of play in the school’s history.
Yet there is an emerging leader who shows promise of setting the stage for another noticeable run — Jerrian ‘Stank’ King.
“I played point guard and shooting guard in basketball and defensive back and slot receiver in football,” said King, a sophomore. “I was the only freshman to start on defense.”
Before attending St. Joe, King turned heads on the hardwood for the O’Bannon Greenwaves. He was poised to step into a major role with O’Bannon during his freshman campaign, but the Irish persuaded the talented two-sport athlete to dawn their shade of green.
“I was set to have a starting position at O’Bannon, but St. Joe recruited me to come play with them,” he recalled. “The thing that I miss the most about not being at O’Bannon is not playing alongside my friends, Deshaun Scott and Trayveon Rhodes.”
Playing alongside Trey Benson and Dillon Johnson, King has gained some valuable insight into what his future might look like in a couple of years when it comes time to choose a college.
And he’s already taking full advantage of the opportunity.
“Since we’ve been out of school because of COVID-19, I’ve been working out twice a day and eating right,” he said. “I’ve also been putting together my videos to send to Mississippi State, Southern Miss and other schools.
“I went with Dillion to Mississippi State on a campus visit and really liked it in Starkville. I wanted to start the process of communicating with colleges now so that when the time comes, I can choose wisely.”
In a couple of months, King will return to the football field with a year of experience under his belt, poised to bring more championship glory to St. Joe.
“I see myself as one of the team’s leaders this fall because last year, I played with Division I athletes and performed well,” King said.
“My dad always supported me and encouraged me to be the best that I can be. My mom’s dad, Aaron Ford of Rosedale played professional baseball and that’s where I get my athletic ability from.”
