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By Carey Reeder | Staff Writer

Chilton County High School’s Jakobe Worthy entered the Tigers Sweet 16 matchup against Hillcrest High School in the AHSAA Class 6A state playoffs not knowing how close he was to joining the 1,000-point club. The senior, in his last game, had 10 points and surpassed that mark to give CCHS two 1,000-point scorers in its senior class this school year joining close friend Jakeveon Bolding.

“It means a lot,” Worthy said. “It was a goal for me to get it, and for me to be remembered for something once I leave the school. It was a wholesome moment.”

Worthy played all of his high school basketball career at CCHS and was a three-year starter for coach Austin Moncus on varsity. Moncus said after Worthy’s junior season in 2021-2022, he began to play at an elite level.

“Coming into his senior year that was the standard we had for him,” Moncus said. “When Jakeveon got hurt in football, Jakobe walked up to me and said ‘Coach, you do not even have to say anything. I know what I have to do,’ and he did. I appreciate all of his effort and his time here.”

Worthy is the definition of a leader. After his stellar end to his junior season, Worthy came into workouts before his senior year very focused. He became more consistent with his ability to score, and he never missed an open gym or an opportunity to get shots up.

“Everyone respected what Jakobe did because he worked so hard and everyone saw him putting up the shots and putting in the work,” Moncus said. “It is hard to find players like that, and he even brought some of the younger guys with him and improved the program as a whole.”

When Worthy arrived at CCHS, it was not at the caliber it is now. He said getting the opportunity to build the program into a winning one during his time is something he loved about his high school career.

“Before we were not really winning,” Worthy said. “My whole goal was to change the program and make it a winning one, and build a name for the program.”

Worthy has had to overcome a lot of adversity in his high school career, which he labeled as one of his best traits on the court. Worthy had the ability to build up his teammates as well, something that set himself apart on the court.

“It is special for me seeing him grow up (in the program),” Moncus said. “He has been with me for four years, and he is special. He is a great kid and has overcome a lot of adversity in his time here. Hopefully, he can take some of the things he learned playing basketball here and take them into the real world.”

When it comes to his favorite moment at CCHS, Worthy pinpointed the game this season where Bolding returned from his injury during football season, and how that made the Tigers team come together even more.

“Coming back from that, and it could have happened to anyone,” Worthy said. “(Bolding) had a big part in the team, and him coming back helped a lot of us out. Once he came back, our team got wholesome, and it was a better feeling for the whole team.”

Worthy, Bolding and the senior class that CCHS is losing this season to graduation grew up together, and their bond runs deeper than basketball — something that Worthy said he holds dear to him.

“I love the energy everyone brought to the team this year, and it makes me want to play another year,” Worthy said. “Thank you to Chilton County, my coaches and teammates for believing in me. It would not be possible without any of them.”