Heine finishing strong at Saint X

Hampshire graduate Jackie Heine is having yet another solid collegiate campaign.

But that's hardly reason to alert the media. Heine's been a top-notch performer dating back to her days in the Purple Palace.

Now a senior forward on the Saint Xavier University women's basketball team, Heine is again playing a major role in the team jumping to No. 11 in the NAIA national rankings. Through Tuesday, Saint Xavier was 20-5 and was 6-1 in conference action (tied for first place to start the week).

Through those first 25 games, Heine is averaging team-bests in points (13.3) and rebounds (7.6) per game. She's shooting .527 from the field and .664 from the free-throw line.

Heine, part of two Saint Xavier NAIA Sweet 16 teams, set a new career-high with 16 rebounds in a game earlier this year against Harris-Stowe State. She's already earned a pair of Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) player of the week honors and was named the MVP of the 8-team SXU Christmas Tip-Off Tournament. Heine, a 2-time, all-conference first-team pick, also eclipsed the 1,000-point barrier at SXU earlier this year.

To start the week, Heine ranked No. 6 all-time in program history in career points scored and was No. 3 all-time in rebounds and No. 2 in career blocks.

"Anybody in sports that has a good work ethic and keeps working hard is going to continue to improve," said Saint Xavier coach Bob Hallberg. "Nobody likes to get up on the track and run. Jackie's fanatical about it. When everybody else is by the pool she's by the track. She's what I call a self-made player."

Hallberg is impressed by Heine's presence in the post.

"She's undersized as a pivot player, but she still beats people up and down the court," said Hallberg. "She plays at full energy all the time. She's a hard-nosed player who gets knocked down and draws fouls. She's a very physical player who is not afraid of contact and not afraid to mix it up. You have to be pretty rugged at this level and she's done all of that. Jackie has improved each year because of what some players lack in this day and age and that's dedication."

Heine said simply feeling more comfortable on the court has made a big difference this season.

"I have more confidence and poise," said Heine. "I know my role better. I go out and I play. I know exactly what to do out there on the floor. I've got more of a leadership role this year. I'm bringing a solid presence on the floor every day."

That increase in the leadership department is fine by Heine.

"I know I'm helping the team every day," said Heine. "I guess I can help put the focus on my teammates now instead of just myself. I've always been in winning programs. Here we've got a young team this year with a freshman and two sophomores in the lineup. The senior leadership is important. Being in those tight situations through high school and a lot of my college games, I've been there. It's easier to help keep the composure during those stressful games."

And at 5-feet-10 inches, Heine, like Hallberg said, is not the tallest post player.

"I use my strengths to help me out," said Heine. "I may not be the tallest, but I compensate by running the floor better and getting better position. I've learned to live with it. It's nothing new."

Just like staying in shape is nothing new to Heine.

"I like to stay on top of things," said Heine. "In the preseason and in the summer I did a lot because I knew this would be my last year. You have to be willing to go that extra step to improve yourself."

That forthcoming finality of her college career has started to sink in.

"It's weird," said Heine. "I didn't think about that until lately. Coach emailed us to say we only have seven regular-season games left. It hit me. 'Wow. This is the end.' I'm going to try and do as much as I can and make the most of it I can."

Heine won't be leaving the Saint Xavier program entirely, though. While she's finishing up her undergraduate degree, she will be an assistant on Hallberg's staff. Heine has a double major in business management and mathematics.

"I'm hoping to go into some sort of management position and then get my education degree and my masters," said Heine. "I'd like to teach and coach."

Heine, who has a 3.5 grade-point average at Saint Xavier, said managing academics and college basketball hasn't been that big of a chore.

"It's not too bad," said Heine. "It's all a matter of what you do for yourself. You do have free time here. You know what you have to get done. There are no big surprises."

Heine said this season has been especially enjoyable because of the roster Hallberg has in place.

"I really love this program," said Heine. "The girls and the coaches, everybody gets along so well here. We have talent at all levels. Everybody loves the sport and everybody wants to go out and win. We definitely have a lot of talent and desire. There is a great chemistry with us. We work so well together."

Kalsow earns honor: Former Huntley and Wisconsin-Stevens Point standout Jason Kalsow was named to the D3hoops.com all-decade second team recently. The decade covers the years 1997 through 2007.

Kalsow, a first-team All-American in 2005, helped Stevens Point to back to back NCAA Division III titles in 2004 and 2005. He was named the national championship most outstanding player in 2005. Kalsow started all 121 games at Stevens Point during his 4-year run and ended up as the school's all-time leader in points and rebounds and was No. 2 all-time in career assists.

"Arguably he had one of the most noteworthy careers in the long and tradition-rich history of Stevens Point basketball," said UW Stevens Point coach Jack Bennett told D3hoops.com. "He's the most complete player I've every coached, and on top of it, he had one of the most positive competitive attitudes I've ever been around. He hated to lose. He and the other leaders on those teams made I difficult for the others not to play their best."

Off at college wants your help: Send information and/or statistics on Fox Valley area athletes playing collegiately to Mike Miazga at difibulator@aol.com.