Two key players in Lake Worth’s run to the district championship in boys hoops last season have moved on to the college basketball court.
Former Lake Worth basketball players Jovares Jones (left) and Joshua Rathell will continue their careers in college. (Photo provided)
Guard Joshua Rathell and forward Jovares Jones have enrolled at Marion (Ala.) Military Institute and Allen (Kan.) Community College, respectively, and will begin their college hoops careers this fall.
Rathell averaged 21 points, 8.5 rebounds and three assists for the Trojans last season, and Jones contributed 10.7 points and 6.5 rebounds per game.
Rathell was an All-Area first-team selection in 2017, while Jones was an honorable mention pick.
“They were both instrumental in us getting to the regional semifinals,” said Lake Worth coach Murray Smith, whose team finished 24-6 last year and won the district 10-9A title.
“They both have continued to get better, and made a big leap their senior year. Their best basketball is ahead of them.”
Jones, whose dad, Jovares Sr., played high school basketball at Cardinal Newman, looks forward to getting his college hoops career started.
“I’m very excited to be going off to Allen and being able to represent my city and hometown in a different state,” he said. “I think it should be fun up there, and I’m ready to make the most out of the opportunity.”
Rathell also is eager to get his college career started. He hopes to play two seasons at Marion Military Institute before transferring to a Division I school.
“I’m very excited,” he said. “It’s a lot of fun. I’m at a military school. It’s going to better me as a person and as a player.”
