By JASON KING
Leader sportswriter
Cabot graduate Jamie Sterrenberg finalized her college plans just one week after receiving her diploma from Cabot High School on Friday when she signed to play basketball with Arkansas Tech. Sterrenberg signed at the Cabot gymnasium on Friday afternoon in front of students and faculty.
Sterrenberg was a mainstay in both basketball and softball during her tenure at CHS. She was a three-year starter in both sports, and received All-Conference and All-State recognition in both sports as well.
Although her scholarship is for basketball, Sterrenberg plans on remaining a two-sport athlete even in college, as a walk-on for the Golden Suns softball program. While many have warned her of the difficulty of such a feat in college, Sterrenberg stated her case with honesty and matter-of-factness.
“I know it will be very difficult,” Sterrenberg said. “A lot of people have told me that it will be impossible, but it’s just the stubborn side of me; if someone says I can’t do something, I’m going to try that much harder to do it. My studies will come first, so if it comes down to it, I would have to give it up. But hopefully, it won’t be a problem.”
The Golden Suns are coming off an impressive season, going 22-10 overall last year, with an 11-3 Gulf South Conference record. Despite the strong season, it would end up being the second and final season for coach Todd Schaefer, who was recently replaced by new coach Dave Wilbers. Sterrenberg says she looks forward to the opportunity to play under Wilbers as a Golden Sun.
“It’s an awesome program,” Sterrenberg said. “I love playing basketball and traveling. This team doesn’t have to travel too far for most of their games, so that will be nice. It’s nice to get a scholarship; it’s like they are paying me to go to school there, so it all worked out.”
During her senior year as a Lady Panther, Sterrenberg averaged 11.9 points per game, along with seven steals, two steals and four assists per game, and was considered their best defender.
Cabot coach Carla Crowder says the team has been working hard in an effort to find suitable replacements for both Sterrenberg and fellow senior Maddie Helms on next year’s Lady Panthers team.
“We’re really excited for Jamie,” Crowder said. “She likes the school, and I think she will be a great asset to that program. We love her, and hope for her success. The bottom line for us is, she did a great job as a Cabot Lady Panther, she was a complete player.”
