The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Mentor product Heffington paces Streaks
Basketball players who excel in high school sometimes struggle with their transition to the college game.
That hasn’t been the case for former Mentor High School standout Nicole Heffington.
The 5-foot-11 center-forward is having a banner freshman season at John Carroll University.
In 15 games, all starts, Heffington is averaging team-high totals of 14.8 points, 8.3 rebounds and 34.5 minutes played. She’s fourth in the Ohio Athletic Conference in scoring, rebounding and 3-point shooting (44 percent) and seventh in overall shooting (50.3 percent.)
Heffington has reached double figures in scoring in 12 games and leads the Blue Streaks with six double-doubles. She netted a career-high 29 points Jan. 13 in a 73-67 victory over Wilmington.
“Making the jump to college ball is more difficult than I expected but nothing I can’t handle,” said Heffington, one of eight freshmen on the JCU roster.
In large measure because of their youth, the Blue Streaks are 4-11 overall and 2-5 in the OAC going into a home game Jan. 17 against crosstown rival Baldwin Wallace.
Tipoff is 7:30 p.m. at DeCarlo Varsity Center.
“I don’t think our record defines how good we could be or have been,” Heffington said. “We’re in games with teams and have dropped a couple we could have had. Once we get the turnovers down and focus on running and attacking, we’ll make the leap to more wins.”
Heffington had a number of options for college after averaging 14 points and seven rebounds as a senior at Mentor. She was a first-team honoree in the Greater Cleveland Conference as a junior and senior and played in The NewsHerald Classic after her senior season.
“I did a lot of overnights with (college) teams. When I did the overnight at John Carroll, I felt like I fit in with this group the best,” Heffington said. “I liked (JCU coach Kelly Morrone) and her staff, too.”
She also favored JCU because it is close to home and allows her parents, Yvonne and Jeff Heffington, to watch many of her games.
Heffington credits veteran Mentor girls basketball coach Steve Thompson for preparing her to cope with the rigors of college basketball.
“He holds players accountable early in their careers,” Heffington said. “If you have potential, he works you really hard and wants the best for you. He showed me how to be a leader on and off the court.”
Morrone cited Heffington’s blend of talent, drive, resilience and willingness to assume a leadership role as elements contributing to her success at JCU.
“In everything she does, Nicole has to win and be successful. She’s that competitive,” Morrone said. “She’s very cerebral and understands the game. I expect her dominance to continue as she learns more and gains experience.”
Morrone likes the way Heffington maintains focus and effort in adverse circumstances.
“She’s grinding it out and leading by example,” Morrone said. “I know she hates losing. We all do. But I suspect she knew this would be a challenging season for a really young team in the country’s best Division III conference.
“We challenged Nicole to come here and leave a legacy, and she’s taking on that challenge,” Morrone added. “We’re happy she’s on our side.”