ATHLETE OF THE MONTH

To step up and be a leader is hard for anyone especially as a freshman, but for Jaci Bice, it is old hat. The guard/forward for the Lady Apaches is doing that and more. She currently ranks number one in the nation for Division II women’s basketball teams with a 25 point per game average at press time.

Bice, the Apache Athlete of the Month, is not your average junior college player. She grew up in the small town of Troy Grove playing against the boys, which in part made her the player she is today. The 5’9" freshman has been playing basketball since sixth grade.

A two-time all-state basketball player and graduate of Mendota High School, she would have preferred to play at a university, but she needed to work on her grades.

"I’m really pleased that it is working out the way it is with her," said the first year head coach.

Bice, a business major does still intend to play at a university, but she has adjusted to IVCC and she is appreciative of the support that her parents and teammates give her.

She also appreciates playing with one of her high school teammates and best friends, Jamie Kromm, and Kromm agrees that nothing has changed.

"It’s more comfortable with someone who has been playing with you for three years," Kromm said.

If Bice’s performance in the Nov. 30 Morton game is any gauge, she feels comfortable too. She scored 33 points including a last second three-pointer that forced an overtime.

Over her high school career, Bice scored 2,111 points, which was 1,200 over the record. She averaged 22.8 points a game her senior year despite sitting out six games with mononucleosis.

While Bice may get lots of attention for her scoring, she’s doesn’t really like the attention. When asked what she thought of being the No. #1 scorer in the nation, she said with caution, "It’s no big deal."

Crick said, "Jaci wants to play as a team. She’s the type of player that will give you the ball if you are open."

Over Bice’s basketball career, she has been pretty lucky, which is ironic considering her jersey number 13. And it wasn’t the number that she wanted.

"My freshman year of high school, Coach Weibel thought I should wear it," said Bice. "I told him it was unlucky but I wore what he gave me."

After elite eight appearances, four high school MVP’s, final four at state and other recognition, the # 13 looks better.

Now Bice is trying to adapt to the more physical college game and that includes keeping herself out of foul trouble.

"She is getting three quick fouls early on and then has to sit on the bench," said Crick. "We don’t want her to be the assistant coach; we want her to be out there playing. Her real challenge is to play solid defense without committing fouls."

And her coach wants her to shoot more. In the two games prior to press time, Bice was 26-32 from the field, which also includes shooting from behind the three-point arc.

Despite Bice getting the attention, Crick is quick to point out that opponents can’t just zone in on her because the Lady Apaches have two other players that are averaging in double figures while two others are close to double figures.

As Bice describes the team: "We have a lot of potential; we just have to learn to play together."

If all goes well, Bice and the other freshmen on the team will have another season to get it all together, which can only make Crick and the fans happy. But with a talented player like Bice, there is the risk that she could get a good offer from a university,

At this point, Crick is happy that she is getting attention for her and for the program.

"She’s met the challenge," the coach said of his scoring sensation. "She is playing up to her full potential."