Soccer brought her accolades, lacrosse earned her a scholarship, but basketball will always have Jessica Nonn?s heart.
Catonsville?s three-sport star helped lead the Comets to their most successful soccer season in school historythis fall by winning the 3A North Region Tournament. In lacrosse, she already has committed to play at Virginia Tech next spring.
Basketball, however, has a special place in her busy schedule.
“Through high school, it?s been my favorite,” Nonn said. “It?s not just something I do to stay in shape, I really do love it. The girls that play basketball, I don?t hang out with on a regular basis and I like getting closer with them.”
And her coach is glad to have the 5-foot-7 guard, too.
“Shes a terrific athlete,” Catonsville coach Mike Mohler said. “She?s been there, she understands it, she gets it. She?s a great competitor and it rubs off on everyone else.”
This winter, the senior co-captain, who is averaging 11.2 points per game, has led the Comets (10-2) to success on the hardwood, upsetting No. 3 Western, 61-51, last week at the 12th Annual Mayor?s Basketball Academy at Morgan State?s Hill Field House. The signature victory has given the Comets confidence they can play with some of the best teams in the state, and make a run at the 3A state title and their first county Baltimore County championship since 2002.
“We talked as a team that [the Western game] would determine if we can play or not,” Mohler said. “Can we be pretty good or an also ran? It was great we could do that and win.”
But Catonsville realizes it still has plenty left to prove. A 61-51 loss to No. 6 City (12-1) reminded the Comets they still have work to do to overcome the Knights, who eliminated them in the semifinals of the 3A North Region Tournament last season.
“We want a rematch with City,” Nonn said. “I really think after losing to City we all looked at that game and felt we could have beaten them. When we came out against Western, it was a challenge we were really excited for.”
Catonsville, which has never won a state title in girls? basketball, has a favorable schedule the rest of the way. The Comets play at Milford Mill (6-4) tonight at 6:30 before hosting Patapsco (0-10) on Friday at 7 on Senior Night.
The next big hurdle for the Comets will be a showdown with defending Baltimore County champion and No. 8 Dulaney (7-2) on Jan. 30.
“We always get so close to [Dulaney] and always have the mindset to strive for that goal,” Nonn said. “If we play like we can play, it?s always there.”
But Mohler is quick to point out his opponents also notice his team?s success.
“The target just got bigger on your back,” Mohler said. “We are going to get everyone?s best game. We have to be prepared for that.”
