Hoops!...She Did It Again
By: Megan France - Senior
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Jackie Schels made Wallkill basketball history on February 12th in their game against High Point. She broke the all-time record of 1,723 career points set by Mike Hern in 2006. Not only that, but on January 30th in their game against Warren Hills, she broke the girls basketball record of 1,504 career points, a record that hasn’t been beaten since it was set all the way back in 2007 by Jami Gagg. She also had her 1000th rebound in their game against Boonton on February 3rd. I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to sit down and talk with Jackie where I got to learn more about her.
Jackie Schels has been playing sports for as long as she can remember. Her first memory of playing is shooting on a small hoop outside with her dad, pretty much as soon as she could walk and run. She has expressed multiple times that her dad is one of, if not her biggest, inspirations.
When she was only 3 years old, her dad influenced her love for basketball. She reminisced on the memories of playing at home and her dad always pushing her to follow her passion for the sport. When specifically asked who her biggest motivation was, she answered with, “My dad because he’s the one that made me get into it and want to start. Even now, he still gets my rebounds when practicing at home. It’s a nice thing that we get to do together even if he’s not always on the court with me.” It may come to a surprise to most, but basketball was not her first sport. In fact, when she was 4 years old she got into gymnastics simply because she wanted to learn how to cartwheel. Of course, basketball drew her away from gymnastics as if she was always meant to play. Her love for basketball is evident to anyone who watches one of her games. Both her favorite sports to play and watch are basketball. When asked something she’s passionate about, she answered with “basketball” with zero hesitation. Her focus and appreciation for the sport is truly inspiring. While she loves the sports she already plays, a part of her wishes she got into volleyball as well. As a student athlete who has been playing a variety of sports for as long as she can remember, her advice to anyone thinking about starting a sport is that, “If you realize you like it and want to get better, go for it and put all the work in. You won't get better right away, but you will if you keep practicing.”
Jackie would describe herself as nervous, outgoing, loud, funny, and kind. Her favorite class is sociology because “there’s a lot of projects and it’s more group based rather than just listening to the teacher talk.” Something she is most proud of is reaching her 1000 point mark in her basketball career at Wallkill Valley. Not only is she involved in multiple sports throughout the year, but she is also a member of Pass It Along, NEHS, NHS, NFHS, and a peer leader. Although she doesn’t exactly know where she is going to college yet, she is looking into New Jersey and Massachusetts schools to continue her basketball career and major in business.
In 5 years, Jackie sees herself doing something involving athletics; most likely a basketball coach. In 10 years, she plans to be an entrepreneur as well as still doing something with basketball. As she was reflecting on when she was younger, she said if she could give her younger self any advice it would be “Don’t be so nervous about everything, because it’s all going to work out and you’ll survive.” Her hard work has been rightly rewarded. Just a few accomplishments she had consist of getting her 1000th career point last year were beating the all time girls basketball record of 1,504 career points at the end of January, getting her 1000th rebound in the beginning of February, and beating the all time record of 1,723 career points in mid-February. When asked how she feels now holding the girls basketball record for highest career points, she said “I feel good about it and it’s something I wanted to do last year. Last year, I had my 1000th point so that was big. I’m glad I got it this year and I feel happy about it.” Jackie is a very humble and kind person. Even though she is such an incredible person and athlete, she never forgets who she is through all of her accomplishments. She has learned a lot about herself through the sports she plays. In fact, her favorite part of playing sports is that “the team aspect of everything is great. I can’t tell you how many friends I’ve made through sports. The individual aspect is great too. I think there’s a lot of self-improvement in it. I learned a lot about self-discipline and hard work, and I get a lot of fulfillment out of it.”
After getting to talk to Jackie and learn more about her as well as her athletic abilities, I am even more impressed than I already was by her hard work and commitment to the sport she loves so much. Her basketball stats this year alone are remarkable. Through all four years she’s played at Wallkill Valley, she’s never failed to amaze everyone with her passion and drive for the sport. As of February 5th, she averages 30.2 points per game, 13.8 rebounds per game, 5.7 blocks per game, 2.6 assists per game, and 2.5 steals per game. She is shooting 78% from the foul line. Currently in the NJAC Conference, she is ranked 1st in points, 1st in rebounds, 1st in blocks, 28th in assists, and 29th in steals. In the state of New Jersey, she is ranked 3rd in points, 3rd in blocks, and 16th in rebounds. She has also tied the school record for most points in a game with 44 points. Over the course of the 97 games she has played at Wallkill, she has made 469 2-pointers, 143 3-pointers, 477 free throws, 1,118 rebounds, 307 assists, 295 blocks, and 224 steals with a total of 1,848 career points. Everyone I’ve talked to has nothing but nice things to say about her. History and sociology teacher Mr. Schels, as well as Jackie’s dad, said “I would describe Jackie as funny, kind, dedicated, and a wonderful, just wonderful personality. She’s a good friend and loyal; she’s a good person to people. If she’s dedicated to something she enjoys and loves, she goes after it. Her work at basketball is inspiring. It inspires me watching her get better at something she loves.”
Anyone could see how dedicated she is to basketball and can see the love she has for it whenever she talks about it. To better understand her athletic character, Coach Neal shared how he feels about Jackie. “Jackie is one of the most humble, selfless, and hardworking student athletes I have ever been around. She is a great teammate, leader, and role model for the rest of the team. She deserves all the recognition and success that she has earned.” Head Coach Hornyak also expressed his admiration for her. “I can not say enough positive things about Jackie. Yes, she is having an absolutely amazing season, but talking with her you would never know it. She is very humble, respectful, polite, and caring. I am so thankful I have had the opportunity to work with her. She is the best!” She currently has 1,848 career points and holds the records for highest career points in girls basketball and all-time basketball. One more huge congratulations to Jackie Schels for all she's accomplished in her 4 years at Wallkill Valley!
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