Hawks teammates take different paths to collegiate game

Gila Ridge Hawks baseketball players Jamison Kay and Ammon Cox sign letters in intent to play at the next level.

YUMA, Ariz ( KYMA, KECY-TV ) - On Friday, May 21st, Gila Ridge teammates Jamison Kay and Ammon Cox signed their letters of intent to play basketball at the collegiate level. Both seniors stand 6'6 and both were instrumental in the Hawks near upset of number one seed Centennial in the state 5A playoffs. That's about where their similarities taper off. However, both players will be talked about for year to come. Jamison Kay was a starter for the Gila Ridge Hawks basketball team since his freshman year. He holds numerous school record and his three point shot is as silky as they come.

"Jamison is one of the best to ever put on a jersey," Hawks head coach Joe Daily said. "He's the smartest player i've ever coached. I've been truly best to have him over the past four years and he's the only player to start as a freshman in Gila Ridge history."

Jamison didn't miss a single game during his high school career. When the season ended, Jamison said he had some offers from junior college schools in California and Arizona. Jamison ultimately chose Pima Community College in Tuscon.

"I think Pima was the best because they have such a good coaching staff," Kay said. "I look forward to bringing my three point shooting and playmaking ability."

Jamison plans to major in business and has his eyes currently at playing at a higher level after his time at Pima is over.

Ammon Cox's path to the next level is a little more unconventional. Cox had a hard time getting on the floor during his senior year.

"He was only averaging 8-10 minutes a game," Daily said. "He was always one of our guys we just never got him to that point until the end of the year, that's when we really needed him and he was a huge difference maker."

In the state playoff game versus Centennial, Cox pulled down a double double and caught the eye of a Northland Pioneer coach in the stands.

"It was a special moment is what it was," Daily said. "I always said to the team sometimes all it takes is one game for you to get noticed. That's what happened to Ammon. It never happened before and now I can say it did. These are stories we'll be telling five, ten years down the road."

Ammon will head to Northland Pioneer still undecided about his major. However, he does know what he'll bring to his new team.

"I can be height and physicality," Cox said. "Rebounding and being as aggressive as possible. Helping them with as much as I can."

Two different paths taken to the collegiate game with both players landing on the same level.