Hailey Jackson shines in All-State Basketball

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Hailey Jackson is no stranger to Chieftain Field House, having played there three times this past season.

Her high school career came to a close on the Sapulpa court just four months ago in a 63-38 defeat at the hands of Booker T. Washington in the Area playoffs.

It was a fitting setting for her final game representing Sand Springs, and this time she emerged triumphant as the Large East girls throttled the West 80-55 in the Oklahoma Coaches Association All-State game on Wednesday, July 26th.

“It feels really good (to be named All-State,” said Jackson. “It was one of my to-do’s.”

Jackson scored 6 points with 4 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 block in 16 minutes of action from the bench.

All players saw equal playing time as both teams did full substitutions at the four-minute mark of each quarter.

Jackson entered the game with a 15-7 lead and hit her first bucket in the second quarter to go up 35-18. She added the East’s next score as well at 37-21, and scored another layup in the third to lead 59-40.

The East featured several of Jackson’s former conference foes, including Bixby’s Gracy Wernli and Gentry Baldwin, Sapulpa’s Stailee Heard, and Broken Arrow’s Taneya Howard.

It also included a former teammate in Sophia Regalado, who played varsity her freshman year at Sand Springs before finishing her high school career at Holland Hall.

“We haven’t talked that much but every once in a while we will,” said Jackson. “It was good (catching up) and hearing all of her accomplishments since freshman year.”

The two never spent any time on the court together as Regalado was part of the starting rotation. The Oklahoma Wesleyan-signee scored 3 points on an early trey to go up 8-3 and finished with 3 rebounds, a steal, and an assist.

Jackson will continue her career at Hutchinson Community College in Hutchinson, Kansas where she’ll be reunited with fellow Sandite Journey Armstead, who was also an All-State selection in 2022.

“It feels really good,” said Jackson. “I’ve been playing with her for a little while. She’s always been my point guard so it feels good to get back together with her.”

Sand Springs head coach Josh Berry was also in the stands and was introduced alongside Jackson prior to the game.

“Her growth from her freshman year to now just shows how much work she’s put in,” said Berry. “It’s just fun to see her out here enjoying it. Another All-Stater in the books for Sand Springs is always a good thing too.”