Butler Finds Success at Jackson College

By Jeff Steers
JTV Sports 

(January 28, 2024 7:30 AM ET) Those who watch Jackson College guard Kaylona Butler on the basketball court know that she is rarely pinning in by opponents.

But nine months ago, the Toledo Christian High School athlete said she felt “stuck.” 

That was until JC Coach Heather Brown called her asking what her athletic and academic future looked like. 

It may have been one of the most important phone calls of Butler’s life.

Today, Butler is leading Jackson College to a 15-2 start to the 2023-2024 basketball season.

Butler is averaging nearly 16 points, four rebounds, and three assists per game for the Jets.

Nine months ago the three-sport athlete from Toledo was wondering if she would ever play basketball again after helping lead her high school team to the Ohio Division 4 state basketball finals. 

“Coach Brown called and said she was interested in me,” Butler said. “I was stuck … it was toward the end of my senior year, and I wasn’t being recruited by anyone to play basketball.”

Butler had starred in volleyball with more than 1,100 assists in her career, was one of the top scorers for her high school basketball team and was all-state in track and field as a relay team member of Toledo Christian.

Butler toured Jackson College a day after the call and “loved the campus.

“I love living on campus as it makes everything more convenient,” Butler said. “Four days per week I work with an assistant coach from 7 to 8 p.m. on cone drills, shooting drills, and sometimes working with other teammates.”

Working on the fundamentals is something that goes back to her YMCA days with her father Kevin.

“He has always stressed that the fundamentals are what will get you better,” Butler said. “At an early age, I worked on dribbling, jump shots, and foul shooting.

“I still always go straight up and down (during shots).”

Those fundamentals and chemistry on the Jets’ team are what leads to success for JC this winter. Butler recently hit the game-winning shot during a game against St. Clair County Community College.

“My shots were not falling during that game, but I had to continue to play my game,” Butler said. “I recognized the defense and noticed the post was not open.

“I attacked the defense … the floater was there so I took it.”

After their game last Friday, Jackson College has nine more Michigan Community College Athletic Association games in a row to close out the season. They were undefeated heading into action Friday at home. 

“We expect to win them all and then see how the playoffs go,” Butler said. 

She expects to complete her academics at Jackson College next year and possibly transfer to a four-year university to continue to play basketball.

Butler is majoring in business administration and would like to become a writer someday to “glorify the kingdom of God.

“I enjoy writing and talking about Jesus Christ and his love,” Butler said. “I will see where God takes me.”