Few people can say they reached the 1,000-point mark in high school.
Even fewer reach that milestone in college; however, Jaidyn McCracken is among the select few who can.
McCracken, a Bellwood-Antis alumnus from the class of 2022, recently surpassed the 1000-point mark playing at Penn State Altoona. McCracken has been a dominant player for the Lady Lions, which was no surprise after she led her high school team to the semifinals in state playoffs her senior year.
McCracken’s time at Bellwood was definitely one for the books. Her freshmen season she saw some minutes when superstars Alli Campbell, Sakeria Haralson, Emilie Ledig and Riley D’Angelo were playing almost the whole game. She was a part of the state championship team that year.
Once again, her sophomore year, she was also getting some playing time on a team that was prepared to three-peat as PIAA champions. However, COVID 19 cut her season short.
That’s when McCracken became the leader, during her junior year.
The Lady Blue Devils had to create a new image for themselves with three thousand-point scorers gone in one season. After a decent junior year, McCracken then lead her team all the way to the PIAA 2A semi-finals in the state playoffs.
“Playing for Bellwood made me see what competing was. Every game in high school, there was a big target on our backs. We would go out, play as hard as we could, and handled business. The coaching staff pushed me to be my best. Not only did they need me touching the ball, but they also needed me to be a leader,” stated McCracken.
Retired coach Jim Swaney was McCracken’s coach.
“I love Jaidyn McCracken. As a high school player, she always had enormous potential,” stated Swaney. “Her freshmen and sophomore year the work she put into the game didn’t always match her potential. That changed her junior and senior season. Jaidyn became a leader for us on and off the floor. She was a consistent score and a very good rebounder. One of her things that always went unnoticed was her ability to see the floor and get the ball to the right person. Jaidyn was one of the main reasons her team made the final four in 2022.”
In 2023, McCracken started her collegiate career at Penn State Altoona. She not only made a name for herself, but she also figured out who she was.
“The biggest change I had to make from high school to college was being my own player. In high school you’re told to run the plays the whole way through and take 1 shot. In college, you have to do what you need. You have to play basketball rather than running a play. I also had to realize I am much more than my sport. My mood used to depend on a little orange ball, but now I know I am so much more outside my sport,” stated McCracken.
McCracken scored her 1000th point in a game against Pitt-Bradford. She hit a layup to reach this milestone in the second quarter and became the 7th player in Penn State Altoona history to do so.
She stated, “I was super stressed about hitting my 100th, so when I finally hit it, I was very relieved. It was rewarding to think about how much hard work, time, support, and dedication went into accomplishing this.”
Coach Swaney was happy to see his former player reach the special milestone and said she ranked among the top players to come through the program at B-A.
“Jaidyn has had a great career as a student athlete at Penn State Altoona. She will be graduating soon and has been a leader pf her team. Scoring 1,000 points in college and helping to make her team one of the best in their conference will allow her to go down as one of the best to ever play at PSU Altoona. Cracks love for her family, team, and friends make her a very special person. Absolutely one of the best Lady Blue Devils ever,” said Swaney.
McCracken said this goal would not have been possible without a couple key people, like her family and coaches over the years.
“The most influential people have been my mom, dad, brother, grandparents, aunts, uncles and all my family. They have showed up for me every step of the way,” McCracken said. “My coaches in high school and college have also been very influential. Coach Swaney and Coach Longo still come to my games and have taught me so much. Now to college, Coach Haley and Coach Mark push me to be my best every day. I am just really grateful for all of the support.”
We wish McCracken the best of luck in the rest of her collegiate career, and future plans and goals.
The Lady Lions are currently 19-7 and recently won in the first round of their conference tournament.
