Award-winning Jaeda Murphy turns into more than just a scorer or a rebounder for H-F. ‘She’s our heartbeat.’

It was a day to remember Thursday for Homewood-Flossmoor junior Jaeda Murphy.

In the morning, she received word that she was the school’s student-athlete of the week.

“My mom actually sent me a text in our little family group chat,” Murphy said. “It’s so nice we have the school to support us. They’re right behind us all the time. They make it fun to play.”

In the evening, the 5-foot-2 guard was a prime-time player for the Vikings in 46-33 SouthWest Suburban Blue win over host Lincoln-Way East in Frankfort.

“It felt good to go out there for my team, make plays and help everybody else make plays,” Murphy said. “We’re just working to get better every day.”

Murphy led the way for H-F (15-6, 6-1) with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Syracuse recruit Alyssa Latham added 15 points and nine rebounds, while Aunyai Deere contributed 12 points.

Lana Kerley had 23 points for Lincoln-Way East (18-10, 3-5). Hayven Smith contributed three points and five rebounds.

The win kept H-F tied with Bolingbrook at the top of the conference. The Vikings play Lockport on Feb. 7 with a chance to clinch at least a share of the title.

Murphy wasn’t the only one smiling about receiving her school award Thursday morning.

“I’m real proud of my little Jaeda Waeda,” Latham said. “She has definitely grown throughout the years and she’s gotten better every day.

“Growing into her leadership role is what I’ve been trying to help her do as her big sis on and off the court. Especially since I’m going to be gone next season, I want to prepare her and help her be ready for that responsibility.”

Murphy ran the point in fine fashion against the Griffins. The Vikings showed bursts of speed, but for the most part employed a patient offense.

With the 6-foot-5 Smith providing a formidable wall underneath against Latham, it was the smaller guards who did most of the attacking.

Murphy and freshmen Deere and Jenesis Moore struck early and often as H-F raced to a 17-10 lead after one quarter and never looked back.

“People are going to come out against me and think, ‘Oh, she’s little, she can’t do anything,’” Murphy said. “I use my speed around the floor. I use the ball handling to stay low to the ground.

“There’s not many people who get that low nowadays, so I use that speed to go by people, and just work at it every day.”

Murphy’s catch-and-run ability is explosive, almost like that of a track competitor out of the blocks.

“Ever since I was a little girl, I loved to run around,” Murphy said. “I was one of the quickest girls in elementary school, racing the boys. I never had that want to do track, but I’ve heard a lot of people ask me.

“I just love to play basketball.”

Murphy is averaging 11 points, four assists, three steals and three rebounds during her second season on the varsity.

Her rise from being a freshman playing at the freshman level to being brought up by coach Tony Smith as a contributing sophomore last season has been eye-opening.

“Jaeda is turning herself into a college guard,” Smith said. “She’s starting to hit the pullup jump shots. She’s hitting the threes. She’s quick as a cat, so she can drive.

“It’s tough on another team to play against her.”

But easy for a school to recognize with an honor.

“She’s just such a great kid,” Smith said. “She’s a young lady who does it right inside the classroom, outside the classroom and on the court. She’s our heartbeat.”