NATCHEZ — Senior Jordan Waller is more than likely the smallest player on the floor when the Trinity Episcopal Day School Lady Saints basketball team plays. But that has never stopped her.

“I’ve always tried to make up for it with speed, and if not that, just sheer willpower alone,” Waller said. “It can be a fierce thing.”

Her play has also caught the attention of Trinity head coach Fay Minor.

“I call her the little bulldog,” she said. “When she gets out there, she hustles, plays good defense and does everything. All of her teammates love her. I’m fortunate to have her on this team.”

But Waller isn’t just taking care of business on the basketball court, she is also dominating in the classroom, where she boasts a 4.14 GPA.

“My parents have always encouraged me to do my best,” Waller said. “I am extremely competitive, and also have an older sister, so we’ve always tried to kind of one-up each other, but it is that good kind of competition. It gives me that healthy drive to want to do better.”

Waller said she particularly enjoys science, and could possibly see herself going down a science route in college.

“I was intrigued by particular life sciences and enjoyed learning about it,” she said. “I’ve had strong teachers that have helped me through it and have encouraged me, so I’ve always felt good about life sciences.”

Waller said she has seen some crossover as far as school and sports goes, and that she uses a crucial lesson she learned to excel in both.

“School and sports go hand in hand,” she said. “Science is just like any other subject, you have to try your best, just like you do in sports. You have to stay active in it and keep studying or practicing, It is all a matter of mentality and drive to do it.”

Waller’s ability to juggle both school and sports has been amazing to Minor.

“Being a college and high school athlete myself, I know it is very hard,” Minor said. “There is a lot of different things going on, but for her to be able to maintain that is unbelievable.”

Waller also isn’t only looking out for herself. She said she enjoys having a chance to help younger girls as well.

“I like to mentor them and want to establish that leadership role,” she said.

Southern Miss and Missisppi State are on Waller’s radar as far as college goes, but she said she is still on the fence.

“I’ve applied and been accepted to both,” she said. “I’m thinking pre-vet sciences if I go to State and psychology if I choose Southern Miss.”