They don’t give out an award for Lebanon County’s most improved girls’ basketball player. But perhaps they should.

How about being named Lebanon Sports Buzz’s Athletes of the Week?

No one locally has made greater improvements over the last three months than Ariel Jones. Cedar Crest’s sophomore guard has gone from a player fighting for playing time to being one of the most integral parts of her team.

On Saturday afternoon at Harriton High School in Rosemont, Jones helped lead the Falcons to a 53-44 upset of Downingtown East, in the opening round of the PIAA Class AAAA tournament. Jones went four-for-for at the foul stripe, drained a three-pointer and pumped in 15 points to tie senior teammate Rachel Miller for team-high scoring honors.

The state playoff win was the reigning Lancaster-Lebanon League champion’s first in a number of seasons.

As the season has progressed, Jones’ confidence has grown by leaps and bounds, right along with her production. A heady driver of the basketball, a good decision-maker and a fierce defender, Jones worked her way into the Falcons’ starting lineup at the midway point of the season, and has done nothing but grow ever since.

 – Jeff Falk