Jossy James is the spark in the engine of the Sterling girls basketball team.
When the ball is in her hands, she looks to push the pace up the court. During breaks in the action or at practice, she is helping her teammates get better.
Whether she is attacking the basket, pulling up for a 3-pointer or finding an open teammate, James looks to keep the offensive pressure on.
As a junior, she averaged 18.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 3.7 steals per game. She was named Illinois Media All-State second-team, Illinois Basketball Coaches Association second-team and All-Western Big 6 Conference first-team.
She set school records for most 3-pointers in a single game (8), season (79) and career (183).
The Valparaiso University commit is already Sterling’s third all-time leading scorer with 1,350 career points.
James is the Sauk Valley Media Girls Basketball Player of the Year for the 2025-26 season.
While her own offensive skillset stands out, she always strives to get her teammates involved.
“I think there are times that she celebrates her teammate’s successes more than she ever does own,” coach Taylor Jackson said. “She is a team-first player through and through.”
Improving year by year, Jackson describes James as a “gym rat”. She is the first player in the gym and the last to leave.
“In terms of the amount of time and effort and dedication she has put into her game, it’s made a tremendous impact on the player she is today,” Jackson said. “You don’t have to ask her to get in the gym and shoot, she’s already there.”
She may not be the biggest player on the court at 5-foot-3, but James said she believes in “heart over height”.
“I’ve always played that way,” she said. “I might not have the size, but I will bring the energy. I’ll bring anything that I need to the table to be able to compete and win.”
James has responded to being the focal point on the court for opposing defenses. She also looks to set a good example.
“She understands the role she plays on our team and also in the community,” Jackson said. “She knows how many little girls get excited to watch her play, and she embraces that. And she really strives in that environment.”
For James, the example she sets is one of the most important things.
“I love pushing my teammates to get better,” she said. “And for the little girls or whoever is at our games, it means a lot just to be that role model for them.”
“She’s the type of player that when a teammate is struggling, she’ll be the first one to come over and encourage them,” Jackson said of James. “She takes coaching extremely well, and she’s willing to play through adversity.”
James took on an ever bigger role after the graduation of last year’s SVM Player of the Year, Madison Austin, who is playing at Illinois State. She also led the team with over 28 minutes played per game.
“I definitely had to get comfortable being uncomfortable,” she said. “But it’s all part of the growth.”
James has helped make the Golden Warriors better through her shot-making, ball-handling and vision on the court. Sterling is 50-16 the last two seasons, just a couple years after the Golden Warriors went 3-27 in 2023.
“She’s extremely versatile, and I think that ability to play bigger than she is, whether that’s offensively or defensively, is really what caught the eye of some college programs noticing her,” Jackson said, “and giving her the offers that she got.”
James’ advice to younger players? Stay confident, and continue to work.
“You don’t have to be the best, you don’t have to be the tallest or anything like that,” she said. “But showing up matters and just finding your role in what you can bring to a team.”
