It's not easy having a new head coach every season. Imagine having to deal with a different coaching style, philosophy and personality each year.

But Jessie Ingraham, the point guard for Canyon del Oro High School in Tucson, Ariz., has tried to make the most of the situation. "It's been good in that it's helped me to adjust to different coaching styles," she says. "I've learned one thing from each coach, taken one thing away from each one that's helped me. It has improved my leadership, too."

Indeed, she took it upon herself to gather the team together and get them playing in the Flowing Wells High School summer league.

Despite the changing situations, Ingraham has been consistently successful in the past three seasons, averaging 17 points, 10 assists, seven rebounds and two steals per game. She's been named All-Conference and All-Region three times each.

As she heads into her senior season, the 5-7 Ingraham will face an unusual (for her) situation: last season's coach is returning. She's confident that the team is poised for a successful year. "We made it to Regionals last year, but got knocked out in a tough loss," she says. "I think we're going to be pretty good this year. We've got a pretty good team all around."

And she'll be in the driver's seat once again. "I like to take it to the hole, but I also like to dish it off to the big girls," she says. "We have 6-4 girl on our team, so I like to use her because she's tall."

Her favorite player is Pistol Pete Maravich, the late NBA star who was known for his wizardry with a basketball. "I used to watch his movies when I was little, and would like to try to dribble like him," she says. "I like to work on my ball-handling a lot."

She's also trying to improve her outside game. "Right now, I'm working on my jump shot from three-point range, because a set shot's so slow," she says. "With a jump shot, you can have more opportunities to get the foul afterwards."

Ingraham is coming off her first summer of AAU ball. "It was really fun, because it was basketball 24/7," she says. "We went to Las Vegas and California. The level of play is a lot better than high school, because AAU can get the all-stars from your city. If you want a scholarship, playing AAU is pretty much the only way to get one."

She also rounds out her game by running cross-country and track for Canyon del Oro. "It helps with my endurance and mental toughness," she says. She's just as successful in running as on the court: she's been named three-time performer of the year in cross-country, and three times all-conference as well.

With a 3.9 GPA, Ingraham is looking for a college that will provide both athletic and academic opportunities. Her top choices are the Air Force Academy and the Naval Academy. "I think it'd be more exciting for me," she says. "I don't agree with all the stuff that goes on at most colleges, like all the partying. I just want to go there and study and play basketball. I'm interested in studying political science. My long-term goal is to be an FBI agent. I like exciting things."

Her father, Dave Ingraham, nominated Jessie as a Gball High School Hero. "What makes this young lady truly special is her compassion for those less fortunate than herself, her work ethic, and her commitment to excellence," he says.

He offers a memorable story as an example. "At the Regionals in track this year she noticed a young African-American boy sitting all alone in the infield. This boys' team wouldn't have anything to do with him so Jessie sat down and talked to him for a while. She soon realized that the boy was handicapped and she befriended him. After the meet when I went to pick Jessie up the young man came over to her and told her thank you and gave her a hug. I asked Jessie what that was all about and when she told me I choked back the tears. I told her that if she did nothing else at that meet, that one act of kindness made me prouder of her than all of the trophies, medals, and All Region honors put together.

"So while this young lady may be a phenomenal athlete and student, what I am most proud of is her compassion as a human being."

Article written by Gball Associate Editor Jim Catalano.

Nominate someone you know as a High School Hero. Email us at info@gballmag.com.