Davis dreaming big
WPIAL title among his goals for Chartiers Valley
Jayden Davis (1) of Chartiers Valley dribbles the ball up the court during recent section action. Davis leads the Colts into the WPIAL playoffs as they host Thomas Jefferson at 7 p.m. Feb. 18 in the first round of the Class 5A competition.
Jayden Davis sees himself as the next TJ McConnell to come out of Chartiers Valley.
“Yes, I do,” he said. “There are a lot of similarities, especially the aspect of being told that you are too small. We let our hustle and our actions do the talking.”
Known as the “little kid” on the court because of his slight stature, McConnell shattered school and WPIAL scoring records at Chartiers Valley. He ranks No. 5 as the district’s all-time scorer with 2,404 points. In his senior year, he became only the second player in WPIAL history to register 1,000 points in a season. He averaged 34 points per game and led the Colts to a WPIAL title and a runner-up finish in the PIAA. He also buried 334 3-point field goals in his scholastic career.
After stints at Duquesne University and the University of Arizona, McConnell is in his 10th NBA season. He played four years with the Philadelphia 76ers and the past six seasons with the Indiana Pacers. He is averaging 9.9 points and 4.4 assists per game.
“Everybody said (McConnell) was too small,” Davis said. “But he was determined. That’s what it takes. A lot of drive. You have to stay focused. Watch what you eat, lift, sleep and get your rest. How focused and how determined you are absolutely helps you achieve your dream.
Listed at 5-feet-11 on the roster, Davis has a scholarship offer from Slippery Rock University. However, he has big dreams as McConnell did.
“Playing professional basketball then being successful in business and providing for my family are my hopes,” Davis said.
Before his personal goals, Davis plans to help his teammates achieve theirs. The Colts are seeded fourth in the Class 5A tournament. They will host No. 13 Thomas Jefferson at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18 in the first round of the WPIAL playoffs.
Montour (21-1), Baldwin (21-1) and Uniontown (19-3) drew the Top 3 seeds in the tournament, which culminates with the championships at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 1 at the Petersen Events Center on the University of Pittsburgh campus.
“Obviously Montour is the top team in the state and we fell to them twice in section,” Davis said. “We didn’t play Baldwin or Uniontown but they are really good too.
“”Obviously we want to reach the “Pete” but we have to get through the first round first. Keep our focus and come together as the season gets shorter,” Davis continued.
As a senior, Davis sees himself playing a key factor in CV’s playoff season. He says his role is more than that of a scorer although he ranked among the WPIAL leaders with a 23.8 average per game.
“I need to be a good leader and communicator and make sure everybody on the team is involved. I also have to play defense if we are to go far in the playoffs,” he said. “I expect myself and the team to come out hard, dominate and win.”
Since his freshman year, Davis has dominated the league.
With 38 points in a win against Peters Township, 71-57, back on Feb. 1, Davis entered the 2,000-point club. He pulled up for a mid-range jumper for the decisive bucket.
“It all happened so fast that I didn’t have a reaction at first,” Davis said. “I felt excited but it’s surreal to me.”
Only 40 players in WPIAL boys history have tallied 2,000 points and four of them have come from Char Valley.
In addition to McConnell, Matty McConnell registered 2,018 points and Michael Colbert notched 2,022 markers.
Of the milestone Davis said, “It means a lot because that’s an elite class. I really only thought about 1,000. Though I got that early, I didn’t readjust my goal. I just want to reach the WPIAL championships.”
WPIAL titles run in Davis’s family. His cousins, Hallie and Helene Cowan, played for the Lady Colts when they won three WPIAL titles and a PIAA championship under head coach Tim McConnell.
“It takes a lot of hard work and focus. You have to be in the right mind set and have done the practice to win team titles,” Davis said.
Davis inherited his passion for the game.
His mother, Nicole, played at Chartiers Valley, graduating in 2000, before matriculating to Waynseburg. She transferred to Temple University but did not play for the Owls.
His father, Donald, played basketball in Philadelphia. He attended Cedar Grove Christina Academy and played for Penn State University-Schuykill.
His grandfather also played the game and his younger brother, Jackson, 12, is currently excelling at the middle school level.
“I have been around basketball all my life. It grew on me because my family played. They have been a great support to me. Right now my brother looks up to me but someday he will be looking down on me.”
After a bumpy junior year, Davis is flourishing under the direction of Corey Dotchin. He had coached three seasons at Highlands before taking the position at Chartiers Valley.
“All I have ever wanted to do is play basketball,” Davis said. “Our new coach is passionate about the game, which I respect because I am too. Practices are a lot more intense, more focused and there is a lot more attention paid to detail.
“We came into the season not knowing where we would be but we all came together and we grew. We never blinked an eye and that’s because of coaching. It’s been a really good year.”