SANBORN — Winter is still a rumor to Kierra Jackson. Growing up in Pledger, Texas, she had no use for a heavy coat, or waterproof boots.
Soon she will. Jackson left the Southwest for Sanborn this fall to come play for new Niagara County Community College women’s basketball coach Kirk Zinermon, who has used the Internet’s infinite wingspan to extend NCCC’s recruiting reach.
Jackson, a 6-foot-1 center who set school records for rebounds and blocked shots and was vote all-region as a senior, is one of five out-of-state recruits on the Trailblazers’ roster.
Previewing the season at last week’s media luncheon, Zinermon singled out Jackson; Kylie Noble, a guard from Columbus, Ohio; Amber Williams, a forward from Altoona, Pa.; and Mary Antone, a guard from London, Ont., before mentioning his top two local recruits, Emily Bird (Niagara Catholic) and Karissa Dolney (Tonawanda).
Athletics director Lee Wallace said the out-of-state players are going to solidify the program so that Zinermon can have a better chance at recruiting locals. Zinermon indicated that he’s got “a ton” of local players showing interest in joining the Trailblazers next season.
“You can be a mediocre coach and a great recuriter and still have success at this level,” Wallace said.
Zinermon developed his coaching skills over the past decade with boys and girls teams on the AAU circuit. Before joining NCCC as an assistant last season, he spent three years as the junior varsity coach at St. Mary’s of Lancaster, leading the team to an undefeated season in 2006.
“I think we’re going to do something special this season, I really do,” Zinermon said. “We’re going to do things that people on the outside thought we weren’t going to do. The girls coming in here are highly-skilled, very talented and committed.”
Jackson is thinking the same thing. “Even though the team wasn’t good last year, I thought, with the new coach and all, I could up here and we’ll have a good year,” she said.
Twins Margo and Taylor Pagano are the only returning starters, but they won’t join the team after this weekend’s National Junior College Athletic Association Division III national championship tournament.
“If we work on our defense a little more, I think we’ll be a good team,” Noble said. “And with our captains coming in from volleyball, we’ll be even better.”
Contact reporter Jonah Bronstein at 282-2311, ext. 2258.
SEASON PRIMER
NCCC women’s basketball
• COACH: Kirk Zinermon, first year
• LAST SEASON: 3-20, 0-10 WNYAC
• KEY RETURNERS: G Margo Pagano, G Taylor Pagano
• KEY ADDITIONS: C Kierra Jackson, G/F Kylie Noble, F Amber Williams, G/F Mary Antone, G/F Emily Bird (Niagara Catholic), G/F Karissa Dolney (Tonawanda)
Home Schedule
• TODAY: Finger Lakes, 5:30 p.m.
• SATURDAY: Corning, noon
• DEC. 10: Pitt-Titusville, 5:30 p.m.
• DEC. 12: Tompkins-Cortland, 1 p.m.
• JAN. 19: Erie, 5:30 p.m.
• JAN. 26: Jamestown, 5:30
• FEB. 9: Mercyhurst NE, 5:30 p.m.
• FEB. 16: Genesee, 5:30 p.m.
• FEB. 20: Alfred State, 1 p.m.
Sports
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: Zinermon sells NCCC out of state
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