Labels

The Jada Lacey Interview (Mechanicsburg, PA)


Name: Jada Lacey

Hometown: Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania

Position: CF, SS, RHP

B/T: S/R

High School: Mechanicsburg (PA)

Graduation Class: 2025

Travel Club: TNT West

GPA: 3.9

Accomplishments: Mid-Penn All-Conference (2022, 2023), PAHSSBCA All-State (2023), PennLive 2023 All-Star team, Received an offer from Lebanon Valley College

MECHANICSBURG, PA -- Jada Lacey is 2025 utility player from Mechancisburg, Pennsylvania. She's a junior at Mechanicsburg Area Senior High School and runs with TNT west on the travel circuit. One of the premier softball players in Pa., Lacey was named to the PAHSSBCA All-State team as a outfielder, while adding on 55 strikeouts and an ERA of 2.94 as a pitcher, plus a .425 batting average, 24 RBIs, .482 OBP and a .507 slug percentage to help guide Mechanicsburg to a 22-4 record.

For as long as I could remember, Lacey has always been one of them ones. It's nasty work when she's focused up. Lacey has always had a demeanor, from what I've seen, that gives off 'she's about to go work' when a ball is around her. Don't let the statement be misleading, she isn't All-State for just any reason. Every time I've turned on the film, Lacey has a knack for making a play whether it's putting fear into a batter on a strikeout, or hitting it way out the park. It's a reason numerous colleges are recruiting her, but we all know that it takes more than skill to be a target, right?

I can discuss the special player she is on the field, but her character has helped set her apart from a lot of high school players. Always hearing great things about Lacey from classmates and sources, the junior is a social butterfly who stays as active as possible to light up a room. Even volunteers for great causes such as Big Brothers Big Sisters, PA Food Bank, Salvation Army and more. On top of that, her academics are up to par as she takes the classroom seriously. I'm a firm believer that Lacey will make a great addition to any college program, but can she survive an RPN interview?

Let's find out.

I caught up with the All-State outfielder on her breakout sophomore season, insight on the game and preparation heading into junior year.

Jada Lacey Interview
When did you first start your sports journey?
- "If you ask my dad, I started when I was 7 months old. When he gifted me my first basketball and softball for Christmas. However, I started actively playing when I was six when I joined the 8U Mechanicsburg Rec softball team. I continued playing, and joined my first travel team, 10U Dynamite. That later turned into a TNT West team, when I was 8. Then my journey took off from there."


Describe your game from the skill standpoint?
- "I would say I have an overall very versatile game. I can play every position on the field, I can hit for contact, or power from both sides of the plate. I am even an emergency catcher when needed. I would like to add that my game is also adaptive, and flexible as well. I can bunt, slap, hit, steal. Whatever is needed, I can do. With my versatile approach, the more likely I am to benefit myself and my team. It also makes me more marketable to college recruiters."


How was life growing up on the West Shore?
- "It has truly been a harmonious, and overall positive experience for me. Obviously, as a teenager, there have been some bumps in the road, but the majority of the time it is amazing. I have met a bunch of people from all different walks of life including environmental and ethnic backgrounds. As a person, I have found commonality with pretty much everyone. It is a very supportive and loving environment as I am very happy to call it my home!"


How was your sophomore season?
- "It was a great season. I achieved a lot of my goals, but not all. My team and I wanted to be district and state champions, but unfortunately, we fell short. We were very close to achieving the goal of district champions moving onto states, but we ended up losing to an amazing team in Northern in the District championship game. They later won states. At the end of my season, I was named first-team in the (Mid Penn Conference) Keystone Division, and second-team All-State. I am very thrilled and grateful for those accomplishments."


You’re still at a very early stage of your career. What kinds of things are you doing to make yourself the best player you can be?
- "I have enjoyed participating in extracurricular activities all my life. I have participated in talent shows, volunteer work, basketball, and a lot more. Although, I like doing all of those things, I love softball."

- "With that understanding," Lacey told The RPN. "I made the tough decision to streamline and focus on my vehicle of opportunity. With my newly founded extra time, I have used it to better myself, and address my dream. I train with Matt Hummel at Ignite Elite Athletic Training five days a week. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, I do strength training to help build more muscle. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, I participate in speed and agility classes to help gain more speed, quickness, and explosiveness. I additionally train with my hitting instructor, Mike Lebo, twice a week, and my pitching coach, Jim Skonezney, once a week. Finally, *she's running out of breath* I attend my team practices and work on my own a ton. I have also been able to attend more softball camps and college visits."


In your career so far, what would you say is your most memorable moment?
- "This is a difficult question to answer because I have had many memorable moments during different phases of my life. However, one of my most recent and most memorable moments was during my freshman year against Elizabethtown. We were down, in the top of the last inning, with two outs. Before I was up to bat, Central Connecticut commit and former teammate, Kendra Grove, was up. Elizabethtown decided to intentionally walk her, implying I was an easier out to end the inning. I went up to bat and cleared my mind, but knew I had something to prove." 

- "A few pitches later," she continued. "I got a hold of one, and drove it to left field to score the tying run. Then, I later faked a steal to second to allow the winning run to steal home. This win was the first district win for us since 1979, and it will stick with me forever."


What do you believe are the greatest challenges most players are facing today?
- "The two greatest things that I feel impact players today are the effects of the mental part of the game, and the impact of having limited financial resources to play travel sport. In turn, it restricts your ability to be recruited at the next level. Many amazing and athletic athletes don’t get noticed, or have as many opportunities compared to others due to their economic state of living. Some athletes can’t afford to play on a travel, or AAU team, or they can’t afford equipment or camps to get noticed. College coaches normally don’t ever show up to high school games anymore, and they rely on recruiting through showcase tournaments. Those who cannot afford those things are falling short of opportunities, unfortunately."

- "I am so eternally grateful to have a network of support around me. I truly wish there was another way to help bring these people to the spotlight, and allow them to show what they are made of. Another issue I see a ton is the effects of 'mentality'. Sometimes, athletes allow social media to impact how well they are doing, or they allow their performance to dictate their worth. I feel as though the mental element of the game is one of the toughest things an athlete has to overcome."


Who is your favorite athlete and why?
- "I would say my favorite athlete would be Aaron Judge, hence my travel softball number. Overall, he is a hard worker and very determined. His game is top tier, and he is a huge inspiration to me. One of his quotes that will stick with me is, 'If what you did yesterday still seems big today, then you haven't done enough today.' His work ethic is a huge contributor to his game and that is very admirable."


Who would you consider your role models? 
- "I would say one of my greatest role models is my dad. He is one of the hardest workers I know, and he makes an incredible amount of sacrifices for me. I am very grateful. When I was a kid, he worked a full-time job, and went to school to eventually get his Master's degree. Yet he still found a way to put me and my life first. He has been one of my biggest supporters and always will be. Although, we have our disagreements, he only looks out for what is best for me and my future. For that I thank him."


What are your expectations heading into Year 3?
- "My team and I expect to become better versions of ourselves every day. Whether we crawl, walk, run, or fly, as long as we keep moving in a positive direction. We also expect everyone to support each other, not only when we are doing well, but especially when we are not doing so well. If we keep our heads held high and work hard, the wins will take care of themselves. We have the team to pick up where we left off last year and go even further. We just need to be focused, work hard, and love one another."


Close to wrapping this up, but let’s think through this question. What do you see yourself accomplishing in the next five years? Rap to me. 
- "Within the next five years, I want to go to college for not only softball, but to educate myself and prepare for my future. Going pro for softball has a lot of limitations, but I want to stay close to the thing I love, sports. My goal is to major in, but also end up becoming a physical therapist. To help athletes and people as a whole restore themselves to experience a good quality of life."


Thank you Jada for taking the time to talk with me upon my return. Do you have any words of encouragement or motivation for people? Any last words?
- "My biggest thing would be to believe in yourself. No one can believe in you, if you don’t believe in yourself. Do not allow someone to shun your potential or your dream. Stay focused, stay humble, and love what you do. Thank you for having me!"


Twitter @Jada_Lacey_

Media Coverage on Jada Lacey




Contact Tyreese Smith
Labels:
Location: Mechanicsburg, PA, USA