SPRINGFIELD – Jayla “Jordyn” Jackson smiled once the final buzzer sounded.
And for sound reasoning, as the Sidwell Friends (D.C.) girls’ basketball team defeated Archbishop Mitty (CA) 53-40 on Friday night during the 2025 Army National Guard Hoophall Classic at Springfield College’s Blake Arena.
“I saw our team working hard,” Jackson said. “It was a challenging game because we ran deep into our bench. So playing against a premier team like Archbishop Mitty had us push deep to earn this result.”
But the fun didn’t stop there, as Jackson recorded a game-high 20 points and nine rebounds to earn “Player of the Game” honors. Autumn Fleary, meanwhile, was next with 15 as the duo combined to score 35 of their team’s 53 points on Friday.
Jordyn Jackson of the Sidwell Friends (DC) girls basketball team poses after winning “Player of the Game” honors at the Hoophall Classic on 01/17/24.Christopher Berry | cberry2@masslive.com
“Autumn and I have a great connection together,” Jackson said. “We’ve played together through AAU. So, coming into the school year, we already had a chemistry built together.
“And our will to win is the glue that brings us to play so well together.”
For most teams to succeed, they must excel on the offensive and defensive side of the court. The Quakers can check those boxes off their list since it was made clear that Jackson controls the inside on both ends of the court. That could be why Sidwell Friends was ranked No. 7 in the nation during ESPN’s most recent high school girls’ basketball rankings.
Whether she’s muscling her way through double teams for a layup or using her height advantage (6-foot-1) to out-rebound more minor opposing defenses, Jackson doesn’t make life easier for any opposition.
That was a prime example during Friday’s game, especially since McKenna Woliczko didn’t participate since the nation’s fifth-ranked player in the Class of 2026 tore her ACL last week.
“I think there was a difference because Woliczko can play an essential impact on the rhymtn side of things,” said Jackson of the opposing 6-foot-2 power forward. “Aside from being an exceptional rebounder, she’s another big body we would have had to go through. But I think we did a good job adjusting out there.”
Meanwhile, Fleary demonstrated impressive knowledge and vision that created numerous opportunities for teammates—especially during fastbreak opportunities. Fleary’s skillset showcased her pace and creativity, making it difficult for the opposing defense to prevent her from executing moves off the dribble.
That example was displayed on Friday, as it remained a three-possession game during the final six minutes of regulation. The momentum changed, though, as Jackson earned a defensive rebound and connected with Fleary near halfcourt. As the opposition focused on the point guard, Fleary located Delaney Hughes in the right corner for an essential 3-pointer that helped ensure the Quakers emerged victorious.
It was a moment Fleary won’t forget.
“This is my first year competing at Hoophall,” Fleary said. “It’s been amazing because it’s a very competitive atmosphere, and I love playing in moments like this, so we’re grateful for the opportunity to come here. Sidwell Friends has a great culture back home, but being here in a new environment is different because there are people you don’t know.
“So you want to prove a point. But at the same time, you just want to win the game. And I feel like that’s the biggest difference because this is new, and we have to make adjustments in an unknown environment.”
