On February 2nd and 3rd, Cali Deal put together the best back to back performances of the year by a Jackson Parish prep basketball player. Her totals not only led Quitman High to two wins it also drew attention statewide. This included the staff of ScoreBook Live (SBLive), who voted Deal as the Louisiana Player of the Week for Jan. 30 – Feb. 5th.
The award is a first for any player in Jackson Parish by the member of the Sports Illustrated Media Group.
Deal not only led her team in scoring in the 66-24 win over Doyline and 66-58 victory over Castor, she posted new career scoring highs for a single game and two games, as well as, setting a new individual mark for most free throws made in a game and over a two game period.
The award winning week began with a 23 points, 8 rebound stat line against Doyline on February 2nd, where she connected on 9 of 11 field goals in the contest. This equates to an 82% shooting percentage, her best of the year in games with over ten attempts.
She was just getting started.
One night later, on Feb. 3, Deal posted here tenth “double-double” of the season with 31 points and 11 rebounds. Included was 17 made free throws in 21 attempts. The point total and number of free throws made both set new career highs for a single game and combination of two games.
The recent statewide acclaim leads one to wonder if Jackson Parish residents really appreciate just how good an athelete this lanky lefthanded post player is?
Pardon the pun, but Cali is the “Real” Deal!
The recent two game exhibition was no flash in the pan. Deal has dominated the paint all season compiling an average of 16.1 points per game (ppg) and 8.4 rebounds per game (RPG). What makes her performance all the more incredible is that basketball isn’t even considered her best sport. That will be starting in a matter of days now.
While her blossoming on the court has recently gained attention, Deal is no stranger to the statewide and even national eye. In softball, Deal is already a two-time, first team all stater and ended the past summer ranked as the #7 player in the state and #34 player in the nation after leading her “travel” team to the 15U National Championship.
How good is Deal? The only answer that can be given now is that “generational talent” is not as good as she is going to be, even though she is already better than almost anyone ever from Jackson Parish. What is known is that local residents are in for a treat over the next couple of years as it is going to be fun to watch her play.
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