LEAD Academy Senior is the Network’s First Student to Receive a Full Athletic Scholarship
LEAD Academy High School’s Demarco Jackson, most recently named to the Tennessee Sports Writers Association All-State basketball team and a two-time District 10A Player of the Year, announced this morning that he would play basketball at Coker College in South Carolina.
Demarco is the first student athlete in LEAD history to receive a full athletic scholarship.
“I’m really excited to have this opportunity to play and have a full ride at the college,” the senior who will major in Computer Science said. “It’s not where you start it’s where you finish. I’m blessed and thank God for everything he’s done for me from the bottom to where I am now.”
Demarco’s mother, Heidy, said she was beyond proud of her son and thankful for the support at LEAD.
“I’m very excited,” she said. “(He) is on his way to better things in life. A better education is very important. He’ll be out in the ocean now. And he’s going to swim a little harder. I love LEAD Academy. They have been so supportive of my son and I. It’s an awesome school. I love the atmosphere of it and the love that comes from the teachers and the principal and the whole staff. They have done wonders for my son.”
Head Coach Matt Barksdale, named this year as District 10A Coach of the Year, said he “could not be more excited for Demarco and his family.
“His hard work and dedication to this basketball program set the standard for what LEAD Academy basketball will be for years to come,” Barksdale said. Coker is not only getting a great basketball player, but a hard working student and even better person.”
