By Jason Hickman
MaxPreps.com
Kobe Bryant's 36 points per game are good enough to lead the NBA, besting the likes of Allen Iverson, LeBron James, and Gilbert Arenas, but the Laker star may need another 81-point effort just to keep pace with the state of California's true scoring leader.
Stockton, Calif., is home to St. Mary's High School star Jacki Gemelos. The senior guard, considered by many to be the best female high school player in the country, used a career-best 52 points against Edison Jan. 26 to boost her scoring average to 38.1 points per game this season.
Don't fret, Kobe. One bad outing by Gemelos could put you back on top. But don't count on it happening. The University of Southern California signee has surpassed the 30-point plateau in 18 of St. Mary's 20 contests, topping the 40-point mark eight times. Her season low was a meager 28 points Dec. 3 against Redondo.
Despite the gaudy scoring numbers, Gemelos is far from a one-dimensional player, leading the Rams in rebounding (5.6), assists (4.5), and steals (3.5).
"She doesn't have any weaknesses in her game," St. Mary's head coach Tom Gonsalves said. "She is a great defender, outstanding passer, and she rebounds. She is the best guard in the country, no question. She makes everybody else on the court better."
"My points are not a big deal to me," Gemelos said. "I like to get my teammates involved. I love assisting on a basket, passing the ball, and I have been working on getting more rebounds."
Gemelos' feats are nothing new for those that have followed her career. As a junior, she averaged 25.3 points per game, topping the 30-point mark 10 times, leading St. Mary's to a 30-5 record and an appearance in the state championship game. She was at her best when her team needed her most, averaging over 30 points per game in the CIF playoffs.
Despite her efforts, Southern California power Bishop Amat knocked off St. Mary's 56-53 in the 2005 title game, which was a rematch of the CIF Championship game from the 2004 season. Gemelos would like nothing more than to lead her Rams back to the state final for a rubber match against Bishop Amat.
"Since I've been at St. Mary's, the expectation has never been less than winning the state championship," Gemelos said. "Expectations haven't gone down in any way, even though we lost some really good players like Renee Roberts (now at Pacific), Heather Benton, and Erica Helms."
Expectations are nothing new to Gemelos, who has drawn comparisons to former University of Connecticut and now Phoenix Mercury star Diana Taurasi. Scout.com rates Gemelos the No. 2 female high school player nationally.
"There is a lot of pressure, but it's not something that bothers me. I kind of like the pressure, but on the court I just go out and play my game, try not to do anything out of character, and try to get my teammates involved."
Gemelos was set to follow Taurasi, her longtime idol, committing to Geno Auriemma's juggernaut at Connecticut as a 16-year old. Prior to her senior year, Gemelos decided she wanted to stay closer to home, de-committing from the Huskies and opening the doors to USC, UCLA, and California. The Women of Troy and head coach Mark Trakh won out.
"I wanted to stay closer to home, and I loved everything about USC - the atmosphere, the coaches, everything. It was a good fit for me," Gemelos said. "They have a slogan - "Bringing it Back" - bringing USC back to the national spotlight and that is something I wanted to be part of."
USC captured NCAA titles in 1983 and 1984 behind the legendary Cheryl Miller, but hasn't been back to the Final Four since 1986. With the arrival of Gemelos and an incoming freshmen class dubbed the nation's best by USA Today, a Trojan turnaround seems imminent.
Beyond USC, Gemelos has dreams of playing in the WNBA and representing the United States in the Olympics. With her work ethic and natural talent, anything is possible. Her in-season routine includes weekly ball-handling sessions with a trainer and 500 jump shots per day using a shooting machine.
"You can't teach what she does," Gonsalves said of his star pupil. "It's all natural and she is so smooth. She has skills you can't teach and she makes everything look so easy."
Gemelos is certainly making it look easy, putting up scoring numbers reminiscent of two of her role models from the men's game, Michael Jordan and "Pistol" Pete Maravich. Mark Trakh is hoping she can do the same next year at USC, and if she does, watch out Kobe, Los Angeles might have a new favorite hoops star.
Jacki Gemelos' MaxPreps Page
Jason Hickman: (253) 376-5905 or jrhickman@maxpreps.com
Photo by Gerardo Coronado
