In the likeness of Ephesians 3:20, Jackie Young never imagined having such a dream-like basketball career, through her feats on the hardwood, but the Princeton Community High School phenom catapulted into the state of Indiana’s record books. While her accomplishments are shout-from-the-mountaintop worthy, but it’s her quiet strength in God that actually broadcasts to the masses.
Young began playing basketball at age four in the local Salvation Army League, and tested her skills when she made the eighth grade travel league—as a sixth grader. At first, Young didn’t think she belonged in such a talented and competitive league, but the more she played, the more she held her own and showed her ability.
She developed into one of the most dominant female basketball players in Indiana state history, leading the Princeton Tigers to a state championship in 2015.
Despite the spotlight on Young and the Tigers, the team stayed rooted in each other and faith.
“At times we did feel pressure, but we prayed before the games and some of us would pray individually before practices,” Young said. “We felt if we talked to God we were able to make it through it.”
Holding on to Philippians 4:13 helped, too.
Jackie Young (center) at Princeton's FCA Huddle.
The 2015-16 season found all eyes on Princeton, as Young crept closer to the high school girls all-time scoring record, held by former Indiana high school player (and current FCA staff) Shanna Zolman. She broke the record on January 14th, and continued to carve her name in history books by breaking the boys’ record as well. She finished the season as the all-time leading scorer in Indiana prep history with 3,268 career points. If that wasn’t enough, she collected more than 1,000 rebounds and 500 career assists.
Her illustrious high school career culminated with a flood of accolades, including 2016 Naismith National High School Player of the Year, Indiana Gatorade Girls Basketball Player of the Year, Indiana Miss Basketball, IHSAA/Indy Star Female Athlete of the Year, numerous area and conference awards, as well as being selected to the McDonald’s All-American Team. She was also awarded a key to the city of Princeton.
Besides the phenomenal stats, those around her have lauded her character, leadership through action, and a listening ear for teammates. But the gentle leader with exceptional skill entered unchartered territory her senior year—FCA. The group’s first year on campus, Young quickly found a place where she could explore and invest in God’s Word and apply it to her own life.
With her busy schedule, FCA has helped maintain a weekly faith consistency for her and her younger sister, Kiare. For the more reserved and soft-spoken Young, the environment allowed her to open up to a more vocal faith.
While the undefeated regular season conference champs were knocked out surprisingly early in sectionals, the season still held a silver lining.
“There were people coming up and congratulating us on the four years at Princeton and the impact we had on the younger kids’ lives,” Young said.
Princeton Community High School FCA sponsor Carrie Engelbrecht said Young doesn’t even have to say a word to impact.
Young was awarded numerous accolades, including the IndyStar Miss Basketball award and 2016 Naismith National High School Player of the Year.
“You just watch her when she’s on the court and she’s always cheering more for her teammates, giving up opportunities to score just to see her teammates score.”
Young, who attend Notre Dame on scholarship as a member of the women’s Fighting Irish team, enjoyed her time at Princeton. She managed to balance schoolwork with a social life with her best friends—girls she’s played with since fifth grade—while deepening her faith in God in the whirlwind of an incredible senior year.
The way she presents herself surpasses words, a hard feat made miniscule when embedded in God.
“I asked her why she’s so humble on the court and that I have to believe she trusts the Lord,” Engelbrecht said.
Young answered in the affirmative, the aftermath of a life devoted to Jesus at an early age. Her God-given talent and dedication have helped her grow leaps and bounds to stand out on the court. But her steady trust in Him is what will cast her farther and wider as she ventures deeper into college, learning to give her faith a proper voice.
Photos courtesy of IndyStar.com, nhfs.org, and Craig Grow