Rochester Area Star Signs with Highlanders
(Houghton,
N.Y.)—Jaanai Beckford, a 6-4 forward from Northstar Christian
Academy, has signed a letter of intent to play basketball with
Houghton College. Beckford led Northstar to a 21-6 record, the
Section V (Class D) championship and the #3 ranking in the state
this year.
“Jaanai is a very gifted athlete,” said JJ Garwood, his
coach at Northstar, “His athleticism will allow him to be a
versatile player at the college level.”
“The term ‘gifted athlete’ is overused, but it is the
most appropriate way to describe Jaanai,” agreed Brad Zarges,
Houghton’s head men’s basketball coach, “His explosiveness off
the floor and his body control slashing to the rim helped his
team reach the state final and for him to be recognized as one
of the best players in New York State.”
Those recognitions included being named to the Class D
All-State First Team, making the state’s All-Tournament Team and
the Section V (Class D) All-Tournament Team (as Most Valuable
Player), being a First-Team All-Greater Rochester selection and
winning the Private-Parochial Player of the Year Award—all for
the 2007-08 season. He was also a Section V (Class D)
All-Tournament Team member in 2006 and 2007 and played in the
Rochester area Ronald McDonald All-Star game.
Beckford averaged more than 20 points and 13 rebounds per
game each of the last three years at Northstar, finishing as the
school’s career leader in points (1,761), rebounds (1,140),
assists (206) and blocked shots (312). He also holds the school
records for most points (571), rebounds (362) and blocked shots
(140) in a season.
“Jaanai will need to add some strength as he transitions
to college,” said Zarges, “but his will to win and physical
gifts will help him compete immediately for a large role as a
small forward.”
Beckford is
the son of Orville and Deana Beckford of Rochester (pictured
with him, above). He intends to major in computer
engineering at Houghton
