By ANDREW CRUM, Staff Writer
Brownsville Veterans Memorial’s Jordan Rudd continues to pile up the awards year after year.
In her first three seasons, Rudd was named the district newcomer of the year, the offensive player of the year and the most valuable player this season. The junior has continued down the same path for the All-Metro awards, as she earned the newcomer of the year in her first season, a first-team All-Metro selection last year and now she adds a new distinction to the list.
The junior point guard has been named The Brownsville Herald’s 2016 All-Metro MVP.
“It feels great,” she said. “I’m not looking for accolades, but it’s humbling to know that hard work does pay off. I think I deserve this, I think I worked my butt off all offseason and during the season.”
That included working on everything from defense to offense, and everything in between. Rudd said she wanted to improve every aspect of her game and she certainly did this year.
The junior point guard averaged 16.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 4.1 steals this season while leading the Lady Chargers to another runner-up finish in District 32-6A and the area round of the playoffs for the third straight season.
“I think (Jordan) took on the challenge her dad (Michael Rudd) gave her at the beginning of the year to become more well rounded,” Brownsville Veterans coach Valentin Paz said. “She was in the top 10 of the Valley in every statistic category. She was so consistent.
“This year, she upped it another level.”
Rudd said her parents have always been great support systems and have helped push her to be the best player she can be.
It’s not just her physical skills that have improved, Rudd’s basketball IQ has raised as well.
“What separates Jordan from a lot of players is her knowledge of the game,” Paz said. “Knowing angles, knowing situations, and that has upped her game even more.”
Three games really stood out for Rudd this season, Paz said.
Rudd scored 26 points in just three quarters against Harlingen South on the road. She had 21 points against Los Fresnos, also on the road, including 14 after halftime. Then, Rudd tallied a career-best 30 points against Edinburg High in the bi-district playoff round.
“She was just feeling it,” Paz said of Rudd’s big night against Edinburg High. “I’ve told her to be a great point guard, you have to push toward a triple-double. And she’s getting closer and closer.”
Even if she gets there, don’t expect Rudd to ever be content with her game. She’ll continue to work, but will never be happy with the results, but she likes it that way.
“I’m never satisfied; I’m my own worst critic,” she said. “I’m just being the best player I can be and trying to get the next level. There’s never a limit to where you can go.”
As for the next level, Rudd hopes she can reach her goal.
“That’s always been the dream,” she said.
Andrew Crum covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him at (956) 982-6629 or via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @andrewmcrum.