Catching Up With: JD Ray
6A No. 4 Midwest City’s Jaden “JD” Ray stole the show Tuesday afternoon when he notched 31 points against crosstown rival Del City (5A No. 3) in the Bombers’ 70-69 win over the Eagles. I caught up with JD after…
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Continue Reading6A No. 4 Midwest City’s Jaden “JD” Ray stole the show Tuesday afternoon when he notched 31 points against crosstown rival Del City (5A No. 3) in the Bombers’ 70-69 win over the Eagles. I caught up with JD after the performance to chat with him.
(Quick hits: craftiness, floor leadership, ball-handling)
There are few who play with the intensity and consistency that Ray brings to the table. He is an incredibly crafty player with a high basketball IQ. When you combine that with his fearlessness, you get an essential piece to your offense at the one-guard, and that is exactly the presence Ray brings to the Midwest City offense.
This talent was on display against Del City on Tuesday afternoon. Ray was on fire from beyond the arc against the Eagles and was an exceptional floor general, finishing just a pair of assists shy of a double-double. Ray said he can credit part of his performance to the occasion.
“There was a little trash-talking going on, said Ray of the Mid-Del rivalry game. “Yeah, I definitely had something to prove.”
Ray also credited his performance to the need for his presence.
“Really my team was struggling in the first half and we had our main guys in foul trouble,” said Ray, a 5-foot-9 point guard. “I had to take over.”
And that he did.
Ray was very good at using his size to his advantage in drawing fouls. With his natural athleticism and ability to shoot, he racked up x’s on the score sheet by combining those talents with grit. He plays a lot bigger than 5-foot-9. When I watch him play, I always fixate on the word “fearless.” He always goes all-in when he steps on the floor. The energy he brought into the gym with his play was a major factor in the Bombers pulling out the one-point win.
He is also one of the craftiest finishers at the rim in the Oklahoma City metro. He had a few up-and-under’s that wowed even the Del City side of the gym. This talent adds to the excitement he contributes.
Ray also credited the energy and student support at the Mid-Del matchup for helping push him through the gritty moments of the game.
“The crowd was getting me excited,” Ray said. “It was very big for us.”
Ray and the fifth-ranked Midwest City Bombers have upcoming tests against Lawton and Carl Albert. He will play a pivotal role in the Bombers’ journey to the State Tournament.