A MILLICENT basketballer has returned to her roots and spent the last few months giving back to the sport in the Limestone Coast.
Jasmin Howe was among the Mount Gambier Pioneers women recruits for the 2020 NBL1 season, but as the competition was called off due to COVID-19, she has filled her time helping to mentor junior basketballers.
The 25 year old held a training session for the Lakers Under 14 girls last week, while she has also helped out with school holiday clinics at Mount Gambier’s Icehouse this week.
Howe started her basketball journey in a similar environment, playing out her junior years in the Millicent Basketball Association.
She was then presented with an opportunity which provided a drastic change of scenery and she made the trip to America to play college ball.
Graduating from Northwest Missouri State University in 2017, Howe then moved back home to Australia in July of that year.
She said the college experience was something she would look back on fondly for the rest of her life.
“The culture and the atmosphere of college sports over there, it is just an unbelievable experience,” Howe said.
“I would go back in a heartbeat to do it all over again.”
Upon her return down under, Howe spent two seasons with the Newcastle Hunters in the strong Waratah League in New South Wales.
Last year the Hunters claimed the championship women’s title, with a good win over the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles.
Howe scored 13 points in the decider and averaged just over 15 for the 2019 season.
She said her time in NSW helped shape her game, with valuable mentoring from former Millicent resident Shannon Seebohm, who coached the side.
“He has coached Australian teams and he is a great coach – I learned a lot under him,” Howe said.
“Then I was a development player in Townsville for him as well for the WNBL.
“I did that for the last season and it was a great experience.”
Howe then returned home and was all set to compete for the Mount Gambier Pioneers in their NBL1 debut, but COVID-19 has put that dream on hold for now.
The move back to the Limestone Coast was a mix of opportunities and the want to return home and Howe said it was pleasing to hear of the introduction of the Pioneers women.
“It is great the Pioneers have a women’s program, I think that is great for the local talent,” she said.
“Basketball is quite big in the South East region so I think it is really good females now have a pathway to that next level, rather than having to leave the district.
“I grew up watching the men play – you would always come to the Icehouse on Friday nights and watch them play.
“It is good now you can come to the Icehouse and watch the women play.”
When asked what the future holds, Howe said the Women’s National Basketball League remains a career goal, while she is also excited to represent her home region with the Pioneers in the NBL1 next year, which will provide exposure at the highest level under the WNBL.
Looking past her playing career, Howe said her passion for coaching is something else she wishes to pursue.
“That is a goal of mine within basketball as well – past my playing days I would like to go into coaching,” she said.
“Since I have been home (in Australia) I coached a couple of teams up in Newcastle – I was the head coach there for the Under 14 girls Div 2 side.”
As a home-grown talent herself, the message she gave to youngsters hoping to take their game to new heights was simple – to persevere and work hard to achieve goals.
“One thing I would say to kids is to make the effort,” Howe said.
“Make the effort to put in the extra work, make the effort to be a good teammate, make the effort to seek guidance and make the effort to build relationships, because this game can take you all over the world.
“Most of all enjoy the process of playing a game you love, because it goes so quick.
“I spent four years in America and it just went so quick, but those experiences are something I will have with me for the rest of my life – they help mould you.”
