Memories To Last
February 26, 2022 | Women's Basketball, Joel Coleman
The Bulldogs set to be honored on Senior Day are grateful for time at Mississippi State.
STARKVILLE – Their journeys have all been different. Their roads to Starkville and experiences once arriving have each been unique.
Yet the Mississippi State players who'll be honored ahead of the Bulldogs' 5 p.m. home game against Arkansas on Sunday as part of Senior Day all seemingly have one thing in common. All of them are incredibly proud to have worn the Maroon and White.
Caterrion Thompson, Anastasia Hayes, Myah Taylor and Ashley Jones will each be recognized Sunday at Humphrey Coliseum. Ahead of hearing their names called, Thompson, Hayes, Taylor and Jones shared a few of their thoughts with HailState.com.
It bears noting that in the cases of Hayes, Taylor and Jones, another year of eligibility remains. Any or all of them could possibly return to Mississippi State next season. Right now, none of the three have made a final decision.
In the meantime, they – along with Thompson – went ahead and reflected on their State careers.
Let's start with Taylor – the longest-tenured Bulldog of the bunch. She's been a part of the program since 2017. There have been too many memories to count, but here's a bit of what stands out to Taylor:
"For me, just being here through the ups and the downs of this program…Just to see the growth I've had on and off the court, becoming mentally stronger. There are things in every aspect that I've enjoyed. I'm so thankful to the community and Mississippi State for that.
"I definitely have given a lot to this program. I've always tried to work hard. I hope that's something I've been able to display and that everyone recognizes – just no matter what, I've always just gone hard and gave it my all.
"I've learned so much about myself and met so many different people. I have made so many different friends that'll be close to me even after basketball is finished. Mississippi State has been very good to me."
While Taylor has been around for half a decade, Hayes just arrived prior to this season after previously playing at both Middle Tennessee and Tennessee. However Hayes has quickly become embraced as a fan-favorite with MSU. How could she not, as she's spent the 2021-22 season ascending to become one of the Southeastern Conference's top players?
Yet this season has meant more to Hayes than just her stellar numbers. Much more in fact:
"This year has meant a lot to me. Being here with my sisters, we've battled. We've worked really, really hard to come this far. And We can't give up now. We have one regular season game and one guaranteed tournament game. We just have to play every game like it's our last and every second like it's our last.
"But this year has meant a lot. Just having the opportunity to come back and play in the SEC, being here and playing in the SEC with my sisters and being in such a competitive league, it's meant a lot. The fans are amazing. I really love all the fans and being able to build little relationships with fans after the games.
"It's very special. Getting to compete and knowing the fans see my efforts and see me playing hard and then go on Twitter after the game and see how happy they are. Even if we win or lose, they're still by our side. They're just great. Being able to have that support system makes it so much better."
Like Hayes, Thompson and Jones both arrived at Mississippi State as transfers.
Thompson got to Starkville before last season, having spent the first part of her career at Bowling Green. She played the 2020-21 season with the Bulldogs, then, due to the extra year of eligibility she had remaining because of the COVID-19 pandemic, she decided to stick around for one more year at MSU. It's a decision Thompson is incredibly glad she made:
"I wasn't satisfied with last year and how things went. So to have the opportunity to come back and play for this university again, I thought that'd be a great opportunity. I just wanted to trust the process and come for one final ride.
"I'm extremely pleased. Just trusting the process and getting another opportunity, this year has worked out for me and I just want to continue to do great things with the rest of the time that I have here."
For Thompson, that includes continuing to defy the odds that her and her teammates have overcome all season long:
"We say it a lot. We're all we've got. It's all seven of us and we need all seven of us each and every single night. No matter what your role is, we each have to perform well in our role. I think when we go out on the floor, we really have to play for each other. We started out with a lot, but now we have seven. Each game is just for each other and try to compete the best way that we can.
"This is my sixth year [of college basketball] and this year is the most unique year for me. I never could have imagined playing college basketball, Division I, with just seven players. So I definitely will remember and cherish each and every single person on this team."
The challenges Thompson references are the foundation of what Jones seems to be most thankful for. Jones came to the Bulldogs after having experience at both West Virginia and Temple. She had to sit out last season due to NCAA transfer rules, but has gotten on the floor for State this year. Yet it's not her game, but her own personal growth that appears to stick out the most to Jones.
"I think I'm just mentally stronger. I feel like that wasn't the case when I first came here, but it's happened over time…With meeting different teammates and coaches throughout the year, it's definitely been a lot. I think that made me mentally strong itself, just because I've never had to experience anything like this year before. Having to go through all that and staying and sticking around through all that was tough and a big challenge, but I came out in the end.
"Since I've been here, it's been very different and new for me. But everything turned out very good. My time being here has meant a lot. Overall, I've grown as an individual on and off the court."
Special players. Special memories.
And no matter what their futures hold, all will be a part of the Bulldog family for life.
