While Alexis Jones was signing her name to a national letter of intent, the eyes of her proud mom and coach peered over her shoulder to make sure everything was done correctly.

Jones penned her signature on an agreement to continue her basketball career at the junior college level Wednesday morning.

Jones signed to play at the next level for the Lurleen B. Wallace Saints and head coach Ricky Knight.

“I wanted to stay close to home, and play for a good program,” Jones said. “By going to LBW, I get to do both. LBW is close, so if I need to come home for any reason, I can. It also will allow my mom and dad to come watch me play.”

Jones helped lead the Charles Henderson Lady Trojans to the AHSAA State Final Four for the first time in 24 years, and was named to The Messenger All-Area team twice during her high school career.

But perhaps the biggest impact Jones had during her high school days was carrying on the family tradition.

For the past six years, opposing teams not only had to deal with Alexis on the floor, but also had to try to out coach her mom, Dyneshia.

While Dyneshia is always excited to see her players move on to the next level, Wednesday was ever more special.

“Today, I am more of a proud mom than a proud coach,” said Dyneshia. “She has worked hard for this for a long, long time and I am so very proud of her. She gets to keep playing basketball, get started on college and save us some money.”

Knight liked Jones’ fundamentals and the way she attacked the basket, but the biggest reason he felt had to sign Jones was the way she ran the floor.

“She really hustles up and down the floor, and puts pressure on the defense,” said Knight. “We like to run on offense and move a lot on defense, so I feel she will fit right in to what we like to do.”

Jones has played for her mom almost every season of her life, but looks forward to the new challenge of the playing collegiate.

“It may not be different at all,” Alexis said. “When we were at home, I was her daughter and we were on the court I was her player. She pushed me to go hard all the time, and I know Coach Knight will do the same thing.”