Jaidynn Askins, Kimora Currie form dynamic duo for defending TSSAA champion South Side girls basketball
Jaidynn Askins wants to be like Kimora Currie when she grows up — at least the same kind of basketball defender.
Askins, a junior power forward for South Side, has the offensive skill to take over a game. She made it a goal for herself to become a better defender and rebounder this season when the Hawks set out to defend their Class 3A championship. Currie, an elusive senior guard with rock solid defensive skills, wants to be a better scorer.
Askins scored early and often in a 53-24 win Friday at Haywood. Askins led the Hawks (4-2) with 22 points and seven rebounds in the win. Currie was a helpful facilitator to get the ball to Askins. But Currie was also able to work the ball around the perimeter and drive it inside to either create her own shot or kick it to someone else.
Currie is he new leader for South Side, the defending Class 3A state champions. That's because Miss Basketball and TSSAA state tournament MVP Ti’Mia Lawson has graduated and Currie is the lone returning senior on the roster. Askins is a solid leader in her own right – which makes the dynamic between the two even more fascinating.
“We’re like two twins locked in a pod together,” Currie said of her relationship with Askins. “When she’s wide open, I guarantee you I’m going to throw it down (to her). If she does not make it, I got her. She’s going to get another one.”
Then, she can run down and lock anyone up on the defensive end.
“I’ve pretty been up against everybody,” Currie said. “I held my ground. … It just tells me I can play solid defense so to add offense to it brings it together.”
South Side coach Brent McNeal has been impressed with the evolution Currie has gone through during her career.
Her defense is what he’s most impressed with, of course.
“I would put her as one of the top defenders in the state of Tennessee,” McNeal said. “She thrives on the defensive end.”
A solid one-two punch for the Hawks with Currie defending then firing passes to Askins, who cleans up in the post. Askins just shrugs it off – not a big deal.
“It’s really cool,” Askins said. “I’m just trying to help my team out.”
This article originally appeared on Jackson Sun: Jaidynn Askins, Kimora Currie lead Jackson South Side girls’ basketball over Haywood
