Jessica Hawkins Always Gives the Extra Effort

Hawkins is the Bulldogs leading scorer at 19 points per game. She also hits the boards with nine rebounds per contest.

"She is probably the most talented individual that I have coached in my 14 years of coaching," says Southeast Raleigh coach William Powell. "You're not going to find many athletes who have all the tools that could move them on to bigger and better things. She's quick, jumps really well, listens well and she understands the concepts of the game of basketball."

Southeast Raleigh is an unbeaten basketball team - a team that plays together.

"I think our team chemistry is going well," Hawkins said. "We're very unselfish and pass the ball to open people, and we work hard."

While Hawkins has worked very hard to be a good basketball player, she has worked just as hard in the classroom. She is a B student who has made quite an impression.

"She's very dedicated to her work," Southeast teacher Jill Auerbach said. "She never hesitates to come by after school or after class if she has a question. She works real diligently and efficiently. As far as in the classroom, she is always on task and puts that extra effort in to make sure her grade is outstanding."

And there is one thing that is always said about Hawkins, she is unselfish on and off the court.

"There are some basketball games where I'd have to say, 'you need to go out and get 20 points,'" Powell said. "When I said that to Jessica last year, she said, "I might not be able to get you 20 points, but I'll get you 20 assist."

"I like finding my teammates," Hawkins said. "When they make the basket, it makes me feel even greater than me making the point."

"She's just a really giving person," Auerbach said. "If it's not for her team, then it for the classroom team environment. She likes to help others as well, so I think that is her gift, to work with other people."

Senior Jessica Hawkins of Southeast Raleigh High School is this week's winner of theExtra Effort Award.