Hall of Fame
Louis Ready starred in basketball and tennis at Jones in 1951-52 and 1952-53. He was a two-year starter for coach A.B. Howard’s basketball team and was a member of coach Troy Bush’s tennis team.
In 1953, he received numerous school honors at JCJC, including Sophomore Class President, Homecoming King, Mr. JCJC, Most Athletic and Most Friendly. He received a basketball scholarship to Delta State University and also ran track at DSU in 1953-54 and 1954-55. He was elected Most Handsome at Delta State in 1955.
He then served as head basketball coach at Richton High School from 1956-90. He organized and started the Richton Rotary Club’s Basketball Tournament in 1956. The tournament is still being played and is held during the first week of December.
Ready was voted conference Coach of the Year in 1966, 1967, 1981, 1983, 1985 and 1988 and was chosen the Hattiesburg American’s All-Area Coach of the Year in 1986-87.
After retiring as head coach, the high school gym at Richton was named the “L.D. Ready Gymnasium” in his honor. Ready is currently serving his third term on the Board of Alderman for the town of Richton.
He is an active member and Sunday School teacher at Richton United Methodist Church. He has been an active member of the JCJC Alumni Association since 1955 and is a current member of the Bobcat Club.
L.D. and his wife, Rose, have four children: Dan Ready and his wife, Mary; Sharon Ready Anderson and her husband, Tim; Mart Ready and his wife, Stacey; and Lee Ready and his wife, Lisa. Grandchildren are Drew Ready, Kris Ready Arnold, Lindsay Anderson, Lauren Anderson, Alec Ready and Taylor Ready.
