Dexter's Chaylea Mosby ends playing career because of herniated disc

Chaylea Mosby left an indelible impression as a basketball player at Dexter High School and Three Rivers College.

Those days are behind her now, as she has chosen to retire from college basketball because of a back injury.

Mosby was set to return for a third year at Three Rivers this season when she was sidelined with an injury to her lower back in the preseason. She hoped to return before the end of the season to help the Raiders make another trip to the national tournament.

“As many of you know I’ve been out this season with a herniated disc in my lower back,” Mosby said in a Facebook post. “Well, I won’t be returning this season and will be having surgery soon. I will also not be playing basketball anymore after this year. I believed and knew it was possible for me to be healed, but God has other plans and I trust them!! He closed the door for me with basketball, but I’m excited to see what is next!”

Mosby helped the Raiders reach the national semifinals last season. Eventual champion Northwest Florida State beat them 71-63. They finished 24-1 a year ago.

The Raiders have high hopes for this season, because five sophomores from last year’s team took advantage of a National Junior College Athletic Association rule that allowed for a third year of eligibility because the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the start of 2020-21 women’s basketball season.

Despite her absence, the Raiders are 22-0 — beating opponents by an average of almost 34 points per game — and are ranked No. 1 in the nation. Mosby did not play in a game this season.

Mosby was a first-team NJCAA All-American and the Region XVI Player of the Year and was named to the All-Region XVI first team and the Missouri Community College Athletic Conference honors squad during her sophomore season.

After coming off the bench as a freshman, Mosby averaged 13.6 points, six rebounds, three assists and 2.7 steals, finishing second on the team in all four categories.

She made 72 3-pointers to finish fifth in the country and had two double-doubles.

The 2019 Dexter High School graduate was named first-team All-Region 16 and first-team all-conference as a freshman.

She helped Dexter compile an 89-30 record over four seasons, win three district championships, make three trips to the state quarterfinals and place third in the state tournament during her sophomore year.

Mosby’s list of accomplishments in high school is long and impressive, including four school records.

She finished with a school-best 2,386 points and made a school-record 385 3-pointers, which ranks third all-time in the state.

She holds a pair of single-game scoring records: most points (49) and most 3-pointers (8).

She was a three-time all-stater and became the first three-time winner of the Bob Gray Award as the top girls basketball player in the SEMO Conference.

“I am so beyond blessed with the career I had and I am thankful for the people it brought me!” Mosby said. “I am thankful for all of the fans and those who supported me throughout it all! It really meant a lot to me! It has indeed been a fun ride with many memories made along the way that I will cherish forever! Once a Bearcat, Always a Bearcat!! Once a Raider, Always a Raider!! #35out.”