THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, February 15, 1996 TAG: 9602130101
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 26 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY REA FARMER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 70 lines
EVERYONE DREAMS of being the best of the best, the top dog on a championship team.
But what happens to players who don't have that chance? To players who could be the best but whose team can't match the pace?
While some of these players might bemoan their situation, Granby's Nicole Jackson shares the struggle willingly.
The Comets have endured their share of hardship this season, posting a 1-15 record, 0-6 in the Eastern District.
Jackson, a 5-foot-8 senior guard, has been Granby's bright spot, tallying 12.3 points per game with eight rebounds and four assists. However, she does not rate herself above her teammates. Instead, she looks at what she could change and how she could improve.
``I haven't been doing as well as I expected to do,'' she said. ``But I've hung in there. I still have a lot of learning to do. I'd like to develop a more all-around game. Right now, I'm just scoring and trying to carry the team.''
Jackson says she has adjusted to the pressure of leading the Comets and now just concentrates on her play. After each game, she sits down with her father and analyzes what she could have done better. Her basketball goals don't stop with high school. She hopes to improve enough to land a college scholarship.
``My dad played when he was in high school,'' Jackson said. ``He helps me a lot. He gives me pointers after every game and tells me what I did do, what I didn't do.''
If the college scholarship doesn't come after basketball season, it may follow after track. Jackson is a 300-meter hurdler and throws the shotput and discus. Last year, she went to state in the discus.
``It was hard learning the fundamentals, the spinning, in the beginning,'' Jackson said of the discus. ``After that it gets easier.''
If that college career doesn't work out, Jackson will just complete her business management degree and head for a career in her true love - music.
``Eventually, I want to be CEO of my own record company,'' she said.
This is no idle pipe dream. Jackson is now a songwriter and manager for a group she formed. The group, Mystique, practices on weekends to prepare for auditions and performances.
``My major was originally going to be nursing,'' Jackson said. ``But I hadn't gotten into that. It wasn't what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. I had taken a business course every year at Granby and I really liked that.''
Jackson already has proven she has the stamina to go against the odds to pursue something she loves. Including basketball.
``Even though we have had a rough season this year, everyone contributed their best and never gave up,'' Jackson said. ``We stuck together as a team.'' ILLUSTRATION: AT A GLANCE
When: Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.
Format: The top-seeded team plays the fourth seed on Tuesday; No.
2 plays No. 3 on Wednesday; the championship game is Friday. The
fifth-place team doesn't qualify for the tournament.
Time: Girls games begin at 6 p.m.; boys games follow at 7:30.
Site: Maury High School.
Admission: $4 for adults, $2 for children under 12.
Staff photo by HUY NGUYEN
Nicole Jackson has been the bright spot for Granby's girls team.
by CNB