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Sacred Heart's Jackson looks to lead
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"Winner" is the word that could be associated with Kamilah Jackson's high school basketball career at Sacred Heart Cathedral High School in San Francisco. The 6-foot senior power forward has been a part of two Division III state championships and a Northern California Division III Northern California championship game appearance last year.
Now she will be in unfamiliar terrain as the team leader on a Sacred Heart girl's basketball program that has gone through some serious changes. Long time head coach Brian Harriagan retired in the summer, as he was replaced by Mike Carey, the girl's junior varsity coach.
Division I players such as Tierra Rogers, Ki Ki Moore and Ashley Boggs have moved on to Cal, Washington State and USF respectively. And junior Raven Brooks, an athletic wing player, recently transferred to Doherty Valley High School in San Ramon, as a result of a family move, depleting Sacred Heart of a another go to player with big game experience.
“We are going to be a really young team,” said Jackson. “I have to have a big year for our team in all areas for us to be successful.”
Jackson will be the go to player on a rebuilding team in a tough West Catholic Athletic League, which hasn't had a challenger to Sacred Hearts reign over the past four years. This will change, as teams such as Mitty, Valley Christian and St. Ignatius will be sure to challende Sacred Heart.
The one thing however which may help the Irish is Jackson's play. She is a strong post player who is very effective in the key, especially rebounding the ball. She has an improving mid range game and she is a battler on the basketball court.
“The thing I like about Kamilah is that she is tough,” said Oscar Jimenez, the founder and coach of the Mission Recreation Rebels, which was the team Jackson played for. “She brings toughness, defense and she is a great rebounder on the court.”
After the high school season, Jackson and the Rebels basketball program went to tournaments in Chicago, Tennessee and San Diego. On the road, Jackson showed her versatility on the court, as she played inside and outside.
“I played fairly well as a power forward on the road,” continued Jackson.
While she may be a little bit undersized, Jimenez said that Jackson used her high basketball IQ and toughness to excel on the court.
“We were in games, were she was guarding people 5 to 6 inches taller then her,” continued Jimenez.
He expects Jackson to have a dominant year, especially after she lost some excess weight and she is in peak basketball shape. This has caused various schools to take notice. Schools showing interest in Jackson include Portland State (offer), Northern Arizona, St. Mary’s, Pepperdine, where her sister Jazzmine and former Sacred Heart Cathedral wing playing, Washington State, Santa Barbara and Long Beach State.
Jackson said she wants to evaluate the entire recruiting process, so she is willing to wait and play out the basketball season.
“I really don’t know when I am going to make a decision, but I am going to be patient and I will probably wait until after the basketball season.”
