Introducing our WXXV Student Athlete of the Week: Pascagoula’s Kelan Rich!

I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone love the rim more than this Week’s WXXV Student Athlete of the Week. He’s an All-Star, member of the 1,000 point club, and can drain a three from anywhere on the court, but what’s more important to him is continuing a family legacy. Get to know Pascagoula basketball’s very own, Kelan Rich!

“It runs in my family,” said senior Kelan Rich. “My Uncle went to college to play basketball and my pawpaw played college basketball. I want to go pro because they didn’t go bro.”

Although the Panther’s statement seems strong, it’s definitely not out of reach. Kelan Rich is a shooting guard at Pascagoula high school who’s having the season of his life. Not only did he recently score 19 points against the then number one ranked team in the state, he recently joined the one-thousand point club.

“I didn’t even know I hit it. I thought I was short like five points, but when they said it on the intercom I was like ‘Oh shoot!’ I hit it for real,” Rich said.

Scoring his 1000th point isn’t the only milestone Rich has hit this month. Out of all 25 teams on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, Rich was the only player selected to represent the state on team Mississippi.

“It meant a lot to be a senior and get that recognition,” said Rich. “That’s a big accomplishment. It means a lot to put on for our city because the coast really doesn’t get a lot of recognition.”

With the All-Star’s talent joined by the rest of their prestigious roster, the Panthers have been a force to be reckoned with on the hardwood. The blue and red are currently 20-3 and the number one ranked team in the state.

“This season has been good,” Rich said. “We’ve had our ups and downs, but now we’re getting better and better everyday.”

What better time to get hot then right before post season play approaches. The playoffs are just the beginning to the road of redemption with the Panthers falling short in the final four just last season.

“I feel like we’re going to do it this year because we’ve been there now. That was our first time ever in the big house, so it was a little rocky,” said Rich. “It would mean a lot not only for us but for Jackson County because no team from Jackson County has ever won state in boys basketball. It would mean a lot.”

Rich and the Panthers will continue to strive for their first ever gold ball as they close out the regular season Friday night against Moss Point. We wish all of our teams good luck as they get closer and closer to reaching the state title!