Over the past four years, Benedictine's star guard, Caleb Jones, has matured on and off the basketball court.
In fact, Jones' long-standing love affair with the game has brought him to a new comfort level, aside from his 2,288 career points. It also will help him reach another level in the near future.
A young man of few words, Jones was an example of the adage of "walk softly and carry a big stick." Instead, he carried his basketball.
"I feel really confident like as soon as the game starts," reflected the soft-spoken Jones. "Basketball brings peace to me when I step on the court. I have gained a lot of confidence out there over the past couple of years.
Over the past two years, Jones has grown from a budding freshman with plenty of potential to one of the most prolific scorers in Savannah basketball history and the GHSA.
"Growing up, I always had to work on my ball handling and my shooting," recalled Jones. "If I could shoot, I knew I could start as a freshman on varsity."
Jones was the All-Greater Savannah Player-of-the-Year last season when he led the GHSA in scoring across all fields, averaging 27.8 points per game.
This season, Jones averaged 31.8 points per game, eclipsing the 2,000-point career barrier. His career ended suddenly in a first-round state playoff defeat, in which he scored 30 of his team's 59 points in their 68-59 loss to Marist. The region coaches named him the GHSA Region 1-AAAA Basketball Player of the Year for 2024-25.
As best he could, Jones took it in stride.
"We didn't go out and play like we wanted, but I'm proud of how we fought back and got back into the game in the fourth quarter," said Jones about the state game loss. "We lost, but at the end of the day I love my teammates. We've had a great run and I'll always be back to support the program."
Jones hasn't made a college selection yet, but he easily could be headed to a Division 1 of 1-A program.
His father, Hamp Jones, was a former standout 6-7 forward at Georgia Southern and has steadily influenced his career. The elder Jones was also a fixture at his son's games.
The younger Jones has appreciated his parents' guidance and support along the way.
"My mom and dad got me into playing," noted Jones. "My parents are the biggest influences in my life because they push me hard to be great. My dad used to play against each other, and he always used to beat me.
I never realized until lately how those games helped me."
Benedictine head coach Frank Williams also has been a consistent force in his life. It didn't take Williams long to recognize that he had a special player in his midst.
"Caleb brought a rare gift to the BC basketball program, one that I had seen in him since he was very young: the ability to know how to score," stressed Williams.
"I would say his IQ for scoring is as high as anyone playing high school and maybe even college. So, as a freshman, we recognized his enormous propensity for identifying and executing scoring opportunities."
Williams also saw Jones come full circle.
"Caleb emerged as a leader as a rising junior when he accepted the challenge to score and organize the team on offense as a combo guard," added Williams. "Simultaneously, he assumed a leadership position even though he's reserved and composed. He has not decided on a university yet, but he will certainly demonstrate the same acumen for excellence in basketball."
With an impressive high school career behind him, Jones is ready for the next step. As always, he kept his explanation brief and clear.
"I feel like I'm am ready for the next level," beamed Jones. "There are still some things I need to work on, but I'm for sure ready for the next level. I can't wait to start."
PHOTO CREDITS: Courtesy Proshot_Media LLC & Benedictine Military School
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