Sports
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: Zinermon sells NCCC out of state
SANBORN — Winter is still a rumor to Kierra Jackson. Growing up in Pledger, Texas, she had no use for a heavy coat, or waterproof boots.
Soon she will. Jackson left the Southwest for Sanborn this fall to come play for new Niagara County Community College women’s basketball coach Kirk Zinermon, who has used the Internet’s infinite wingspan to extend NCCC’s recruiting reach.
Jackson, a 6-foot-1 center who set school records for rebounds and blocked shots and was vote all-region as a senior, is one of five out-of-state recruits on the Trailblazers’ roster.
Previewing the season at last week’s media luncheon, Zinermon singled out Jackson; Kylie Noble, a guard from Columbus, Ohio; Amber Williams, a forward from Altoona, Pa.; and Mary Antone, a guard from London, Ont., before mentioning his top two local recruits, Emily Bird (Niagara Catholic) and Karissa Dolney (Tonawanda).
Athletics director Lee Wallace said the out-of-state players are going to solidify the program so that Zinermon can have a better chance at recruiting locals. Zinermon indicated that he’s got “a ton” of local players showing interest in joining the Trailblazers next season.
“You can be a mediocre coach and a great recuriter and still have success at this level,” Wallace said.
Zinermon developed his coaching skills over the past decade with boys and girls teams on the AAU circuit. Before joining NCCC as an assistant last season, he spent three years as the junior varsity coach at St. Mary’s of Lancaster, leading the team to an undefeated season in 2006.
“I think we’re going to do something special this season, I really do,” Zinermon said. “We’re going to do things that people on the outside thought we weren’t going to do. The girls coming in here are highly-skilled, very talented and committed.”
Jackson is thinking the same thing. “Even though the team wasn’t good last year, I thought, with the new coach and all, I could up here and we’ll have a good year,” she said.
Twins Margo and Taylor Pagano are the only returning starters, but they won’t join the team after this weekend’s National Junior College Athletic Association Division III national championship tournament.
“If we work on our defense a little more, I think we’ll be a good team,” Noble said. “And with our captains coming in from volleyball, we’ll be even better.”
Contact reporter Jonah Bronstein at 282-2311, ext. 2258.
SEASON PRIMER
NCCC women’s basketball
• COACH: Kirk Zinermon, first year
• LAST SEASON: 3-20, 0-10 WNYAC
• KEY RETURNERS: G Margo Pagano, G Taylor Pagano
• KEY ADDITIONS: C Kierra Jackson, G/F Kylie Noble, F Amber Williams, G/F Mary Antone, G/F Emily Bird (Niagara Catholic), G/F Karissa Dolney (Tonawanda)
Home Schedule
• TODAY: Finger Lakes, 5:30 p.m.
• SATURDAY: Corning, noon
• DEC. 10: Pitt-Titusville, 5:30 p.m.
• DEC. 12: Tompkins-Cortland, 1 p.m.
• JAN. 19: Erie, 5:30 p.m.
• JAN. 26: Jamestown, 5:30
• FEB. 9: Mercyhurst NE, 5:30 p.m.
• FEB. 16: Genesee, 5:30 p.m.
• FEB. 20: Alfred State, 1 p.m.
- Sports
-
-
NCCC volleyball reloads with fresh talent
Joe Daigler isn’t certain his Niagara County Community College volleyball team will return to nationals this fall, but he’s no less confident than he was a year ago.
Joe Daigler isn’t certain his Niagara County Community College volleyball team will return to nationals this fall, but he’s no less confident than he was a year ago.Joe Daigler isn’t certain his Niagara County Community College volleyball team will return to nationals this fall, but he’s no less confident than he was a year ago. -
Falls' Starks moved to PUP
The Green Bay Packers have placed Niagara Falls native James Starks on the reserve/physically unable to perform list due to a lingering hamstring injury.
-
Oliver scurries into UB lineup
When the UB offense takes the field for tonight’s season opener against Rhode Island, it will start redshirt freshman Branden Oliver in the backfield.
-
NU spikers fall on banner night
On a night when the first-ever Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference championship volleyball banner was unfurled at the Gallagher Center, leave it regional rival Buffalo to steal the hosts thunder.
-
Bright outlook at UB Stadium
A crowd of more than 15,000 people is expected for Thursday night's season opener at UB Stadium, where the Bills will shine brighter than ever before.
-
UB volleyball program looks to emulate Niagara
After going 2-1 at the West Virginia Classic to open the season, UB comes to the Gallagher Center at 7 p.m. today to play the Purple Eagles, who went 2-1 at the La Salle Invitational over the weekend, and will hoist their Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference championship banner prior to the match.
-
NT, Sweet Home duke it out at Lockport
Two weeks of arduous two-a-days culminated for area football teams on Scrimmage Saturday across Western New York.
-
Secondary struggles are primary concern
In the wonderfully insightful Football Outsiders Almanac, founding editor Aaron Schatz writes that determining how the Buffalo Bills had such a strong pass defense last season “will go down as one of the great unanswered questions in recent human history.”
-
CRUNCH: Kelly making a name for himself
City of Tonawanda native Chad Kelly has been blessed with a strong arm, calm demeanor and a raw athletic ability that has the St. Joe’s coaching staff grinning from ear to ear.
-
Davis wins QB job at UB; GI's Neutz also starting
Jerry Davis, a redshirt sophomore who played sparingly last season, beat out redshirt freshman Alex Dennison in an open competition that lasted throughout spring practices and three weeks of training camp.
- More Sports Headlines
-
