This is the second in a series of women's basketball feature stories that will run throughout the season. Today's feature is on Junior Jessica Coles.Coles has found satisfaction and success from a number of different streams throughout her life.She has lived in seven different states, adjusting accordingly to make new friends along the way. The junior is also a model, having appeared on America's Next Top Model.
Coles, originally from Albany, NY, has played basketball since fourth grade. Since then, she has been a consistent starter for the teams that she has played on. Starting on the varsity team in ninth grade, the junior knew basketball was in her future at a collegiate level. Jessica says, "When I started playing basketball at a young age, I knew I wanted to play as long as I can."
Moving and living in different states was challenging for Coles. Virginia was a state in which she settled and played basketball from fourth grade until eighth. However, she knew another move was in her future if she wanted to play Division I Basketball.
After a move to Albany, NY, Coles was a starter for her Albany Capitals team. The junior averaged nine points and six rebounds throughout her high school career. As a senior she led her team to the state championship as well as being named MVP of the Bethlehem Tournament in 2006.
Excelling at a high school level paved the way for a scholarship and an opportunity to continue her basketball career as a Peahen. As a freshman, Jessica was inserted into the starting lineup on December 29, 2007. In her first collegiate start, she netted eights points, three boards and two blocks to lead Saint Peter's to a 62-50 victory over Pennsylvania. Coach Stephanie DeWolfe rewarded her first game play by letting her start the next thirteen games.
In life and in sports there will always be challenges. Last year, as a sophomore, Jessica was challenged mentally and physically. Despite her success as a freshman, she was mainly a role player coming off the bench for Saint Peter's. She says, "Last year I observed a lot. It was somewhat rewarding but also frustrating at times. I didn't really know where I fit in."
Fitting in hasn't been a problem this season. Over the summer months, she told her trainer that she would like to focus on becoming a guard. As a forward, Coles' work ethic and determination has led her to start the last nine games for the Peahens. Even though she is doing well(1.5 rebounds per game, 2.9 points a game), she knows she has more to work on. She says, "Defense is an aspect of my game that has always been there for me. I know I need to improve on my offense in order to further help my team out."
Next year she says she will be a guard for sure. "I will continue to work hard throughout the summer months with my trainer and I know I will feel more comfortable next year as a guard," Coles said.
Off the court, Jessica is a double major, studying Criminal Justice and Elementary Education. She is an excellent student maintaining a 3.4 cumulative GPA. Upon completition of her degree she has many choices as to what field she would like to pursue. Some possible options for her are becoming a second grade teacher, working in social services as a case worker or perhaps continuing her modeling career. "Modeling and basketball are both physically and mentally demanding," said Jessica. "Basketball is a team sport in which everyone helps out one another. Modeling was hard because you had to be mentally tough and understand that everybody in the industry wants you to fail."
Failing was never in Coles' vocabulary as she knew modeling was a big chance that she had to take. "I think it definitely helped me out and made me stronger as a person. They didn't allow us to have phones, cameras or IPODs during the trip to Las Vegas. I felt very isolated and it was a huge challenge."
As much as she loves modeling, she thinks basketball is better suited for her. "I love the fact that we can win or lose as a team. It's not all about one person and I feel far more comfortable competiting on the court than against other girls in a competition."
The summer of 2010 might pave the way to announcers in the fall saying, "Jessica Coles, Starting Guard for the Saint Peter's College Peahens." However, it will be the Summer of 2011, one in which she will receive her degree, that will be the real challenge. Whichever path she takes, she will hold her head up high, prepared for any challenges she may face, and continue to be successful.
