Jackson Progress-Argus

Jackson’s junior forward Chelsie Wilson (center) has provided toughness and leadership for a young Lady Red Devils squad.

Jackson — One doesn’t have to sit down and talk with Jackson High School junior Chelsie Wilson to know she is passionate about sports. That’s evident from the tenacity and exuberance she displays on the court or field.

“I just love being around sports,” she said before practice last week. “I’ve been playing softball basically my whole life -- ever since I can remember. I didn’t pick up a basketball until seventh-grade, but I’ve been playing it ever since.”

And she was just coming from a pre-season meeting with the tennis team.

Wilson is a tenacious worker off the court as well. As the daughter of a teacher, she has been well-drilled throughout her life about where her priorities should lie.

“Outside of sports, I really focus on school,” said Wilson. “Schoolwork definitely comes first. Making good grades is something that is really important to me.”

That background seems to have led her to become a determined individual in many facets of her life. Whether it is a fight for a loose ball or boxing out for a rebound on the basketball court, she plays basketball with enthusiasm and determination. She pushes herself to compete athletically in three sports that require almost constant involvement. She loves to travel, and has visited at least five foreign countries on two different continents. When Wilson decides to do something, she goes “all in,” she said.

Despite her best efforts, the Lady Red Devils’ basketball season has not quite gone the way Wilson would have wished. The team has struggled mightily, and injuries and player attrition have not helped matters. Yet still it’s Wilson who is keeping her head up, and making sure her teammates do as well.

“We have a real young team, so when you have people that look up to you, it makes you feel good,” said Wilson, who has played an increasing amount of minutes as the season has progressed. “It makes me want to do better and stick with it. When I come out here with the girls, I'm the kind of person that doesn't want to say, 'Dang, we've lost all these games' and how bad it all is. I like to push the younger girls to do better.”

Wilson’s coach, Corey Johnson, said Wilson has been improving as a player and as a leader throughout the season.

“She is a very important player for us, and since we don’t have any seniors, she has come out and provided that upperclassman leadership,” Johnson said. “She has done a great job of coming out and improving. She’s done everything I’ve asked of her, which include things she isn’t used to. Coming into the season, if you would’ve told her that she’d be dribbling the ball and handling the ball, she probably would’ve laughed at you. She has improved and had a positive attitude from day one.

“But like I said, Chelsie is helping lead this team by taking the younger girls under her wings. She doesn’t complain, she just works hard in practices and in games every day and gives it her all.”

Wilson said that even though her team hasn’t achieved as much as they thought they would, she still loves to play the game.

“Even though we aren't having the greatest season, it's still fun,” Wilson said. “Some people like to say we’re struggling, but I like to say we are fighting.”