Featured Athlete: Jayden Chester-Lawton

Audrey McCaffity, Staff Writer • January 20, 2021

Junior Jayden Lawton plays on the junior varsity basketball team. He has played basketball for five years.

Junior Jayden Chester-Lawton moved to the district this year. He plays basketball in and out of school, and he hopes to continue his basketball career at the collegiate level.

Pre-Game:

Favorite warmup before a game: Turning on some music to focus and prepare for a win

Favorite song: “Dreams and Nightmares” by Meek Mill

Favorite NBA team: Brooklyn Nets

Years playing basketball: Five

Biggest motivation: Family

Post-Game:

The Red Ledger: What drew you to basketball?

Jayden Chester-Lawson: Basketball just looked so fun, especially seeing all the other players on the court dunk. It just made me want to play.

TRL: How many hours a week do you spend playing and practicing basketball?

JCL: Whenever I’m not doing schoolwork, I’m on the court getting better. I’d stay the night in the gym if I could.

TRL: What is your favorite basketball team memory from this year?

JCL: [It is] definitely the game against McKinney Boyd. With us being down by 10 plus in the final quarter, and then coming back to win the game, it just really made that a game to remember.

TRL: What are your goals for the future?

JCL: I want to play at the highest level I’m capable of and make it to the league for my family. [I’m going to] work out as much as I can and stay focused on my goals.

TRL: What position do you play?

JCL: I typically play shooting guard, but I can play any position I’m asked.

TRL: What are your biggest strengths on the court?

JCL: My biggest strengths would probably be getting to the basketball because no one can really stop me from scoring off of the dribble.

TRL: Who is your role model?

JCL: My uncle Micheal Crabtree [is] definitely [my role model] because I want to be not just as great as he was, but even better. It [my uncle’s professional career] motivates me because I’ve seen him do great things, so it makes me want to do even better.

TRL: What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced while playing basketball, and how did you overcome it?

JCL: My biggest challenge would be something I deal with everyday, and that’s hearing all the critics and people thinking I can’t make it to the next level. I overcome it all by just working and getting better everyday.

About the Contributor

Audrey McCaffity, Section Editor

Beginning her fourth and final year on staff, Audrey McCaffity is more than excited to take on the role of Community Editor. The past four years have been filled with challenges, but TRL has been one constant to look forward to even on the hardest days. McCaffity dedicated lots of time to the varsity basketball team over the past three years and can’t wait to end on a good note her senior season. With the stress of college applications taking up much of her summer, McCaffity looks forward to being back in the stands at a football game wearing her leopard gear and surrounded by her favorite people. If she has learned one thing over her high school career, it is to always plan something to look forward to. McCaffity is determined to make her senior year the best of her high school experience.