Player profile – Sophomore forward Jenise McKnight

Racing past Lily Hilderbrand of Everett, Jenise McKnight (right) heads to the paint for an easy lay-up. Photo by Mike Drake

By Mike Drake

Jenise McKnight is currently ranked number 11 in the North West Athletic Conference in free throws made, and number 20 in rebounds. McKnight has a total of 182 rebounds this season, averaging 8.27 per game, and is shooting 79.8 percent from the free-throw line, making 75 out of 94 attempts.

McKnight is also averaging 12.52 points per game as well as two assists. She leads the Lady Pirates in rebounds, and she’s second in scoring.

McKnight has unyielding faith in her teammates.

“I feel like we have a pretty good chance of winning the division if we keep up the hard work and play for each other.”

Basketball has been a part of McKnight’s life since she was a child.

“It kind of ran in my family, so I didn’t want to be the odd one out,” said McKnight.

Moving away from Las Vegas was not  an easy transition for McKnight.

“It’s actually tough being away from home right now because I miss my mommy so much, and this snow is not cutting it.”

This is the final season that McKnight will play as a Lady Pirate.

“I’m still deciding on if I want to play after this year, but if I do, I want to go anywhere on the west coast, or maybe even down south.”

McKnight is studying to become a psycologist after she graduates.