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When Kickapoo’s season ended in the quarterfinals, leading scorer Sabrina Jones had no idea that missing the chance to play in the state Final Four would open another opportunity for her. “She decided last minute to register for the camp because we thought that we might be playing in the state championship,” said Mandi Jones, Sabrina’s mom. “They said, ‘You know what, they had closed registration for the camp. Someone complained, we opened it for 30 minutes, and your registration came in.'”
Arkansas’s Discovery Camp is a chance for players to show what they can do in front of Razorback coaches. As the camp ended Sunday morning, all 78 players went home. Everyone but Sabrina. “They said to her, ‘When camp concludes, will you please stay for a few hours where we can talk and go on a tour?” said Mandi Jones.
Sabrina loved it. “It was really cool, the tours,” said Sabrina. “And seeing all the facilities, they were so nice.”
The Razorback coaches made it clear: the best team in the SEC wanted the best goal scorer in Chiefs program history to play for them. “So when we sat down to talk about things with them, the coach said, ‘Who here thinks Sabrina should play soccer here at Arkansas?'” said Mandi Jones. “And all the coaches and everyone in the room, her family, her sister, her dad, we all raised our hands and so did she.”
“I was honestly just so in awe of all the players and coaches there,” said Sabrina. “They were so great and nice the whole time. I met some of the players that currently play there.”
“They said, ‘Let’s get you a jersey,'” said Mandi Jones. “What size cleats are you?”
A new family and friends await Sabrina in Fayetteville. And family and friends played a big role in her decision. “I really loved Arkansas because of the location,” said Sabrina. “It’s only two hours from Springfield, and my family and friends can come watch my games.”
After breaking Kickapoo’s single-season goal scoring record for a second straight year, the coaches want her to play right away as a freshman.
“Her ceiling is very high,” said Mandi Jones. “And they can take her there.”
“I’m honestly super excited,” said Sabrina. “I mean, them having three back-to-back-to back SEC Championships, that’s amazing. I’m really excited to be a part of that program.”
