Jackson Embraces New Position, Leadership Role On Floor

DURHAM, N.C. ? When Duke women's basketball head coach Joanne P. McCallie approached Keturah Jackson about practicing the point guard position back in October, both knew it would be a chance for the junior to expand her game and become more dangerous on the floor. But neither could have anticipated that two months later Jackson would be thrust into the starting role after injuries to point guards Jasmine Thomas and Chelsea Hopkins.

Both suffered knee injuries ? Thomas during practice on Nov. 26 and Hopkins in the Western Kentucky game just two days later on the 28th ? putting Jackson's preseason work to the ultimate test.

“I wanted to be the person to step up for the team,” said Jackson, who is averaging 3.6 points per game through seven contests, dishing 12 assists and adding six steals in four starts. “I feel like our whole team worked hard this summer ? I worked hard on my ball-handling skills and becoming a better guard. I think this was a good challenge and I wanted to step up.”

In her first game at the point at Western Kentucky, Jackson committed five turnovers as she struggled to get comfortable. But she had a chance to redeem herself at the free-throw line with 10 seconds left in the game, after the Lady Toppers had cut the Duke lead to just one with a minute to play. Jackson nailed both of her free throws to put the Blue Devils back up by three and secure the road victory.

“I didn't feel a lot of pressure because I felt like my teammates had confidence in me,” Jackson said. “That takes away a lot of the pressure ? when they believe you'll make the shots.”

“And with five turnovers that game, it was the least I could do to help my team,” she joked.

Over the next two contests ? home wins against Iowa and Michigan ? Jackson had just three turnovers combined, while picking up seven assists in those games. Her four assists versus the Wolverines Dec. 7 was a career-high, while Jackson has now played 20+ minutes in five games this season.

She also discovered a new-round respect for the position, for someone who didn't play the point at all in high school and was used to relying on someone else to run the floor while she could focus more on her outside shot, lane penetration, and rebounding.

“The point is a very difficult position because you have to run the team,” she said. “You're the leader and the team drives off what you do. You have to see the floor well and know how to get the ball to people at the right time, know what works in what situation, direct traffic. It's a big responsibility. Everyone else can play off of you.”

With Jackson and the No. 11/12 Blue Devils sitting at 6-1 heading into next Tuesday's match-up with No. 3/4 Stanford, the tall task will be another opportunity for the junior to sharpen her skills at her new position while her teammates continue their recovery.

Through seven games, Jackson has been impressed with the team's work ethic and competitiveness ? especially after the loss to Hartford Nov. 21 in the DePaul Invitational.

“I think our team has definitely grown in a short amount of time,” Jackson said. “The Hartford loss made us realize that, yes, we've worked hard, but we have to continue to work hard on a day-to-day basis. We have to bring it every day and become more competitive, bring more energy, and be a more cohesive unit.”

Even though she is still learning herself, Jackson also hopes to use her experience as an upperclassman to help the team's three freshmen.

“I think I help them as far as having confidence in themselves and playing through mistakes,” she said. “As a freshman, you don't know everything, you're still learning and trying to keep up, but you'll make your share of mistakes along the way. I've been very hard on myself about that in the past, but I had to learn to keep playing and move on, so I just encourage them to get through their mistakes.”

“If you are playing hard and mess up, the coaches will appreciate that much more than if you're playing like you're afraid to make a mistake.”

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