Kayla James was named the 2019 Middlesboro homecoming queen during halftime of the Middlesboro-Harlan game on Friday in Middlesboro.

James has been a four-year soccer player for the Lady Jackets and has improved every year of her career at Middlesboro. As a freshman, James totaled one goal and two assists for a 12-7 district champion Lady Jackets team. As a sophomore, James totaled one goal and one assist on the season. As a junior, James took on more of a playmaker role, totaling two assists on the season.

Now, in her senior campaign, James has already eclipsed her career goal total with three goals on the year — all of which came in the same game. Head coach Quinton Mason was quoted after Middlesboro’s victory over Lakeway Christian Academy as saying, “As Kayla (James) goes, this team goes.” As a senior, the Lady Jackets’ soccer team looks to James for leadership and intensity.