Galesburg, IL – A prolific shooter and all-state selection during her prep career at Galesburg High School is bringing her talents to Knox College and the Prairie Fire women’s basketball team.
Jessica Howard (picture above courtesy of Galesburg High School), who set a new state record by sinking 139 baskets from 3-point range as a senior for the Silver Streaks, has transferred to Knox. Howard, a 5’8” guard, spent her first year at Monmouth College. She will again play in “The System,” an up-tempo style that Prairie Fire coach Emily Cline installed last season and is also utilized by the Galesburg High School girls team.
Cline said Howard will be a great addition to the Fire women’s basketball program.
“I am extremely excited that Jessica will be playing at Knox next season,” Cline said. “Jessica is a tremendous long-range shooter who already knows ‘The System’ which will help make her transition easier.”
Howard was named all-state by four different organizations; including the 2010-2011 Illinois Basketball Coaches Association (IBCA) all-state first team and the 2010-2011 Associated Press all-state second team as a senior at Galesburg. She also earned All-Western Big Six accolades three times while playing for long-time Streaks coach and Knox College graduate Evan Massey.
“Jessica was so well coached and from a successful program (at Galesburg High School),” Cline said.
Howard averaged 16.2 points per game during her final season at GHS, helping to lead the Silver Streaks to a 28-7 record and a sectional championship. She finished her career with over 1500 points and 378 3-point baskets. Howard is third on Galesburg’s all-time scoring list and she ranks fourth in state history for made 3-pointers.
“Jessica is the kind of player that you love to have in your program because she’s a ‘gym rat’ and has an amazing basketball IQ. Most importantly, Jessica is a great kid that will be a huge asset to Knox women’s basketball,” Cline said.
Howard will join a Prairie Fire team that averaged 83.5 points per game last season, which was second in NCAA Division III. Knox also was in the top 10 nationally for 3-point field goals made per game (#3, 9.0), turnover margin (#6, 8.17), and steals per game (#7, 15.4).
Howard appeared in 25 of Monmouth’s 26 games during the 2011-2012 season. She was second on the team with 31 3-point baskets and averaged 4.2 points in 11.7 minutes per game for the Fighting Scots.
Howard scored a season-high 15 points at Augustana College in Monmouth’s first game on November 16, 2011.
The Prairie Fire begins the 2012-2013 season on November 15 at home against Eureka College at 5:30 p.m.
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