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For the past four seasons, Ellender forward Sky Jasper has scored, rebounded and defended her way to her current position as one of the top senior players in the Houma-Thibodaux area.
Now, she’s heading to Kansas to show folks that her game is one that won’t just shine in East Houma, but can thrive at any level of play.
Jasper signed with Coffeyville Community College after the season — a prestigious JUCO program which competes in Coffeyville, Kansas.
Jasper said the opportunity to be a college athlete is something she’s looked forward to her entire life. She plans to enroll at the program at the completion of the summer — one which she plans to spend working hard to get herself ready for the next level.
“It hasn’t hit me yet,” Jasper said when asked how it feels to be college-bound. “Obviously, I haven’t played for them yet, but I’m looking forward to it…. It’s a great opportunity that feels like a dream come true.”
For Jasper, the opportunity to play at the college level comes after one of the most decorated careers in the storied history of the Ellender Memorial High School girls’ basketball program.
Jasper was a four-year contributor for Ellender — a versatile combo guard/forward who wowed
opponents with the ability to score both inside and outside during games. She also possesses the ability to guard all five positions on the floor, owning the athleticism and quickness to stay in front of guards and also the length and strength to challenge posts.
Ellender coach Kenneth Dixon coached Jasper early in her career, before retiring for one season — Jasper’s junior campaign. He came out of retirement in 2015-16 and coached Jasper as a senior. He said during the 2016 playoffs that Jasper was a willing leader who was among the top competitors in the Houma-Thibodaux area.
“She’s done everything that we’ve asked during my time coaching her,” Dixon said. “She always was willing to do the hard things — rebound, get on the floor for a loose ball or really whatever we needed to be successful. She’s been great. She’s been all of the things that you’d hope one of your seniors and top-standing players would be. There are so many things you can say.”
For Jasper, the path to Coffeyville is one that is paved with fate.
She said she has “no clue” how the school found her, conceding that Dixon and the Lady Patriots coaches did a lot of legwork to put her name out there for recruitment.
Coffeyville competes in the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference.
The team was 22-10 this past season, while posting a 13-6 record in conference play.
Jasper said she visited the school during her recruitment — one of the first times she’d ever been that far away from one. She said what allowed her to push past her nerves was Coffeyville coach Stephen Harrel, who was welcoming and assuring that Jasper would feel like she was at home in Kansas.
“Coach Harrel was great,” Jasper said. “I don’t know how they found me or what led them to consider me, but I think it’s great. I hope to go there and make an instant impact.”
And to ensure that instant success takes place, Jasper is working hard throughout the summer to be prepared for everything that college has to bring.
Jasper said she took a few weeks away from basketball after the 2015-16 season so that she could refocus and rest her body.
But since then, Jasper said she’s been balancing a loaded schedule. She works a summer job, while also doing conditioning in the gym to stay fit. Jasper said she wouldn’t want her schedule to be anything besides hectic and busy — just the way she likes it.
“I plan on working on my foot work a lot before I get there,” Jasper said. “That, and I want to work on my ball handling. That can always be better. I want to get bigger, too. I will put in some work in the weight room to make that happen.”
Add it all together and it sure seems like the Lady Patriots standout is putting in the necessary time and effort to thrive when she gets to Coffeyville.
But no matter how things shake out, Jasper said she’s going to miss being at Ellender and all of the things that the school did to help her mature into a young lady.
Jasper was the Patriots Homecoming and Prom Queen as a senior, and she said the family-like feel she experienced at the school will be something she’ll never forget — no matter where her basketball journey takes her.
“Ellender was a great time for me. I’m sure going to miss it,” Jasper said. “My freshman year was by far my best year, but really the whole experience was great. But I’m ready for a change and a new feeling and Coffeyville will be exactly that for me.”
‘She was always willing to do the hard things.’
Kenneth Dixon
Ellender women’s basketball coach
Ellender Memorial standout guard/forward Sky Jasper poses In the school’s gym last month. Jasper said she’s eager to begin her college career at Coffeyville Community College.
