Grayson County High School’s Jagger Mardis signed Tuesday afternoon to continue his basketball career at Brescia University.
Mardis shined in his lone season as a Cougar, averaging 14.0 points and 2.8 rebounds per game. His year was highlighted by a buzzer-beating three-pointer in the 3rd Region semifinals that lifted the Cougars past defending region champion Daviess County.
“They’re getting a dog,” Mardis told K105. “They’re getting a guy who constantly wants to get better, constantly wants to work, makes his teammates better, and he’s going to give it his all no matter what.”
He began his high school career at LaRue County before transferring to Grayson County last summer.
“This past year was the best year of my life in basketball terms and off the court, just connecting with these guys and building a brotherhood was something that I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”
For Grayson County head coach Travis Johnston, Mardis becomes his first college signee in his eight years as head coach and the first for the program since Ethan Saltsman in 2013.
“It’s special, and I think it’s kind of setting the tone for a few more to sign here in the near future, and hopefully in a couple of years and stuff,” Johnston said. “I wish I could have coached him for more than one year, but it’s really special to see, and he’s going to be great.”
Mardis’ teammate, Jack Logsdon, has already committed to Western Kentucky, and Spencer Langdon has been receiving looks from multiple schools across the region.
Johnston hopes the younger players can learn from Mardis in proof that hard work pays off.
“His effort and attitude every single day,” Johnston said. “The guys see somebody who puts in the work, can get to the next level, and hopefully we’ve got some guys who will work a little bit harder.”
For any student, athlete or not, fit is a huge factor when picking a potential college.
“I would just say the coach and staff,” Mardis said about the fit. “I feel like they have a lot of belief in me. They want me to come there and be on the floor and make an impact immediately. I wanted to earn my spot, and they’re giving me the opportunity to earn my spot.”
Mardis’ parents, Matt and Becky, backed up this sentiment.
“Coach (Matt) Karn. Jagger has felt comfortable with him since day one.” Matt Mardis said about the reason behind the decision. ” Location is another thing. A lot of kids want to go play at a high major, D1, and that’s great until you go sit and watch for two years.”
Moments like this allow a parent to reflect on the journey that led there. In a way, it makes all of the long trips and work worth it.
“It’s a culmination of a lot of blood, sweat, and tears,” Matt Mardis said. “A lot of miles, a lot of hours in the gym when nobody’s looking. A lot of times, when he doubted himself, when injuries and things like that made you question, can you get there? The opportunity for him to get to go play at the next level, no matter what level that is, is just a blessing.”
While the shot against Daviess County will always be remembered, the journey went further than that, culminating with a pair of wins at Rupp Arena and an appearance in the KHSAA Final Four.
“It was surreal for sure,” Matt said about the state tournament run. “That was the goal from day one, when he was at LaRue, even when he was playing middle school, we always wanted to get there. But there are so few that get an opportunity to. He told us from the very beginning, first practice, he goes ‘Dad, we can get there. If we can get everybody on the same page, play defense and share the ball, we can get there.'”
Mardis will join a Bearcat squad that finished 6-20 last season.
By Sam Gormley, Play-By-Play Announcer/Local Sports
Reach Sam at sam@k105.com
