Trojans' Erwin commits to Yellow Jackets

Senior follows Southeastern pipeline to Cedarville University.

Southeastern High School's Jenna Erwin (24) will continue her basketball career at Cedarville University next season. File photo

Barbara Perenic Southeastern High School's Jenna Erwin (24) will continue her basketball career at Cedarville University next season. File photo

ENLARGE PHOTO

Mesoraco's slam sends Reds over Braves
7:38 a.m.
Raiders fall in tourney opener
5/25/12
Rough 1st inning sets up Tipp exit
5/25/12
Local Scoreboard for May 25
5/24/12
Ohio State AD says 12 violations minor
5/24/12
> More sports headlines

By Michael Cooper, Staff Writer 11:26 PM Tuesday, January 17, 2012

SOUTH CHARLESTON — Southeastern High School senior Jenna Erwin will continue her basketball career at nearby Cedarville University next season — and she’ll be bringing her family’s massive cheering section, too.

“My friends say that my family is bigger than our student section half of the time,” Erwin said.

Erwin committed to the Yellow Jackets women’s basketball program over the holiday break. She will become the third Southeastern player in the last 10 years to move on to Cedarville, joining Trojans junior varsity coach Alison Lemon and former teammate Amber Hayslip.

She’ll also play for former Southeastern coach Kirk Martin, who led the Trojans to the D-IV state championship in 1996.

“He’s a pretty awesome guy, even more than a coach,” Jenna said.

Martin also coached her mother, Jeannine Ferguson-Erwin, on the basketball floor and her father, Ernie Erwin, on the golf course.

“It’s very ironic,” Jeannine said, “and other than wearing Michigan colors, we’re really happy.”

She’s also excited to make the move to the Division II level, which she said will push her to make her a better player.

Jeannine played for Martin for three seasons at Southeastern from 1986 through 1989, scoring over 1,500 points in her career. The Trojans advanced to the state semifinals in 1988 and 1989.

“His love for the game really brought out my love for it and my teammates,” Jeannine said. “We were able to accomplish a lot because he was such a strong motivator. He just made you want to play better and never let you be satisfied with letting you be ‘just OK.’ ”

Trojans coach Jim Lightle, a former assistant with Martin, called Erwin’s decision “a perfect it.”

“He has the ability to help more than just athletically,” said Trojans coach Jim Lightle, a former assistant with Martin. “I don’t think there’s anyone who will get more out of her than he will.”

After the holiday break, Erwin’s numbers have greatly increased as the Trojans (7-6, 5-3 Ohio Heritage Conference) have won four of their last five games.

Erwin’s averaging 18.0 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 3.1 steals per game this season. Southeastern is hoping to make a run in the postseason, where it has advanced to the D-IV regional semis the last three seasons.

“We’re getting our pieces put together,” Erwin said. “Hopefully we can finish strong and do well in the tournament.”

Share this article