Harlem’s Jessica Dahle to attend North Central College

By Bob Balgemann

Reporter

MACHESNEY PARK – Harlem senior Jessica Dahle was recognized April 12 during a reception in the Commons at the high school, as she signed a national letter of intent to attend North Central College in Naperville.

Basketball is her game and she was a standout on both offense and defense during her two years as a captain for the Lady Huskies.

First-year head coach Beth Meyer called her “a key player” and an “irreplaceable leader” on the varsity team. She was able to hone her skills throughout her four years at Harlem “until they culminated into what was a phenomenal senior year.”

Most recently, Jessica was chosen to represent the NIC-10 in the Rising Stars Classic, hosted by Rock Valley College.

Coach Meyer pointed to the statistics Jessica accumulated during her senior year as telling a story.

She scored 362 points, averaging 13 points per game, while scoring in double figures in 68 percent of Harlem’s outings. While a team player, she had some outstanding games as an individual, scoring a personal best 26 points against Boylan on Jan. 29.

She also scored 22 against Rockford East on Feb. 2; 21 in an earlier game against East on Dec. 8; 21 against Belvidere North on Dec. 16; and 21 against Jefferson on Feb. 9, which was Feb. 9.

In addition, she made 53 percent of her shots from 2-point range; 33 percent from beyond the 3-point arc; and 76 percent at the free-throw line.

“Constantly displaying her all round talents for the game, Jessica also averaged six rebounds per game; two assists and three steals,” Coach Meyer said. “These stats put her on the all area leaders list for steals and scoring.

“Perhaps most impressive, however, is that Jessica took nine of the team’s 11 charges this year.”

There’s more to this student-athlete than being a talented basketball player.

“I think this last statistic exemplifies Jessica’s character,” her coach said. “I have always known her to be the type of player that will do whatever it takes to get the job done. She shows this on the court and by not backing down from adversity, or any other challenge she comes across.

“She also shows this perseverance in the classroom. Despite taking rigorous class loads riddled with honors courses and playing two varsity sports, Jessica has managed to maintain a 3.8 GPA” on a 4.0 system.

Coach Meyer said that with her innate leadership abilities both on and off the court, the aforementioned statistics and her “whatever it takes” attitude, “I have no doubts Jessica will continue to be successful at the next level, when she becomes a Cardinal next season at North Central College.”

Speaking of North Central, the Cardinals recently finished with a 14-12 overall record, going 8-6 in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin.

They were the No. 3 seed in the conference tournament and reached the semi-finals, losing to Illinois Wesleyan University. A year ago, they made it to the finals, where they lost.