Last summer, Kameron Jones and a few other Vicksburg High baseball players took a road trip to Texas for a showcase tournament. What seemed like a fun weekend turned out to be a pathway to the future.

Jones was spotted at the tournament by coaches from nearby Mountain View Community College in Dallas. They liked what they saw from the outfielder, started recruiting him, and this week signed him to a scholarship offer.

“I really was shocked when I got the call. I really can’t put all the emotions into one (sentence),” Jones said. “It’s exciting. You’ve got to put your best on the line, and every day is going to be a challenge.”

Jones was a four-year starter for the Gators. His best season was in 2018, when he hit .297, with four RBIs and 10 runs scored. He was batting .143 with four RBIs and three runs scored when this season was suspended and eventually canceled after only six games because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thankfully, that Texas trip last summer paid off. A few Mississippi junior colleges had shown interest in Jones, but Mountain View was the only one to offer a scholarship. So he’s headed west again to continue his baseball career.

“I really wish I’d gotten to play the rest of my season just to see how many offers I could get and more opportunities. But I’m just happy with the opportunity I got to get,” Jones said.

Jones is the fourth Vicksburg High baseball player to earn a junior college scholarship this year. Catcher Ryan Thompson and pitcher Dylan Whitfield both signed with Coahoma Community College, while pitcher Kendrick Bershell signed with Hinds.

Jones credited hard work and some inspiration from VHS head coach Antonio Calvin for spurring him on toward greater heights.

“My main thing I think I did was really just listen and try to do what the coach says,” Jones said. “I know in my past, before Coach Calvin got here, I was really just playing my own way. I really think when Coach Calvin came, he enforced the discipline in us. I think I got better mentally and physically.”