RECRUITING: Guard Jackson chooses Panthers

Jeanette Jackson helped Sierra Vista’s girls basketball team win 20 or more games in each of her final three seasons.

The polished point guard is off to another winning program in college.

The NCAA’s spring signing period began Wednesday, and Jackson signed with Prairie View A&M to join a growing list of local girls headed to Division I schools.

“I’m excited. I can’t wait to go there,” Jackson said. “I’m ready to move on to the next part of my life.”

Prairie View A&M won the Southwestern Athletic Conference tourney last season to reach the NCAA Tournament.

The 5-foot-4-inch Jackson earned first-team Class 4A all-state honors as a senior after averaging 19.3 points, 7.0 assists and 5.6 steals to lead Sierra Vista (21-7) to the Sunset Region semifinals.

She chose the Panthers over scholarship offers from Northern Arizona and Texas-Pan American.

Jackson said Sierra Vista coach Lindsay Whalen helped her become smarter on the court as a senior.

“I feel like I calmed down a little on the court,” Jackson said. “I’m smarter with my decisions, thinking faster. My coaches used to tell me to be patient, and it stuck in my head.”

Other girls basketball seniors who made recent commitments to NCAA programs include Silverado forward Natalie Lainhart (Idaho), Canyon Springs forward Kenosha Wright (Dixie State, Utah) and Coronado guard Nicole Ruffino (Whittier College, Calif.).

FOOTBALL DECISIONS — Moapa Valley receiver Hayden Cooper signed with Dixie State, and Centennial running back Taj Cole committed to Wittenberg University (Ohio).

Also, Bishop Gorman kicker Colin Ditsworth (UNR), Arbor View punter Logan Yunker (UNR) and Spring Valley receiver Brandon Lopez (Southern Utah) accepted walk-on invitations.

TALENT SHOW — This year’s Las Vegas Area High School Senior All-Star Game in boys basketball has been scheduled for May 7 at Mountain View. An exhibition featuring extra seniors will be played at 2 p.m., followed by the all-star game at 4.