Jessica Jenkins: Knox, Indiana, and then I graduated from Knox High School in 2006 and then went to Ancilla College in Donaldson. I played there.

 

JJ: Very small, but everybody knows everybody. Country-type surroundings. It's nice, I like it. My graduating class was only 101.

 

JJ: Yeah, I ran cross country and track. I played softball and basketball, and then I managed a volleyball team for two years.

 

It was interesting. I did it because my sister played volleyball and with me running cross country I never got to see any of their games. I always looked up to her and I wanted to see her games.

 

Mainly volleyball, but she ran track and played basketball for four years.

 

She is my older sister, so that always comes with the territory. I guess it is how she never gave up on anything.

 

Basketball has always been my favorite sport. I don't want to contradict myself, but my sister played basketball for a while, but didn't continue with it. I wanted to do something that she didn't do. I always looked up to Michael Jordan.

 

The Lakers

 

My favorite all-time players are Lisa Leslie and Deanna Nolan.

 

Off the court, you have to make the team feel together. We've already had a team dinner to get everyone comfortable with each other. It helps that this isn't a big school; we still see each other off the court. On the court, we just kind of clicked.

 

He's one of my favorite coaches. He's fair and he always explains what you do wrong and how to improve it, so he's not like other coaches' yelling style. Some people don't react well to that.

 

My three-point shot. My defense is pretty decent too.

 

Mostly my main weakness is my confidence. I get down on myself, even if it's not my mistake.

 

I got something in the mail and it was just a paper from the school, not even from the basketball program. I was looking into going to Grace and Bethel, but it didn't look like it was going to work because they were stricter schools. So then I talked to my mom about it and talked to my coach at the time, and they helped me find the information to contact [Shelton]. I decided I wanted to check out a RedHawks game. It wasn't the greatest game, but I liked [Shelton] a lot. He was probably my main reason for coming here.

 

It takes a lot of work. It's easier now that they set up that study hall [in Student Life]. Mainly that's when I get my studying done.

 

I've learned a lot. I've learned that I can trust people. It was easy to make friends, especially being on the basketball team. College doesn't have to be as hard as people make it seem. The teachers are very helpful.

 

I might go back to school after I graduate. I want to go back to Knox to coach. They said they're going to help me out.

 

Basketball

 

The normal stuff; I like to hang out with friends. I'm a very family-oriented person, so I go home every weekend.

 

When we hang out we watch movies, go to the movies, or go shopping.

 

I like romantic comedies.

 

Yes, I'm a country listener.

 

Actually, no: Before a game I listen to the hip-hop rap stuff. It gets us pumped up.

 

Don't give up. It's going to be hard, but you have to keep at it. Coach [Shelton] is a really good coach, and he brings out the best in everyone.