Today we highlight women's basketball star Jermyra Bethea, who once again is one of Region 19's top forwards and who has helped the Roadrunners off to a solid 7-2 start and an NJCAA Division III national ranking.
Year: Sophomore
Position: Forward
Hometown: Camden, NJ
High School: LEAP Academy, Class of 2023
Major: Business, with an emphasis on accounting. Jermyra hopes this will allow her to open several hair salons and related businesses one day. She looks to continue both her academic and basketball career at an NCAA program following her RCSJ graduation.
Favorite Memory: Jermyra enjoyed the experience of winning a Region title last winter in a close win over Camden County College, as well as competing in the NJCAA D-III Championships in Minnesota.
She also enjoys dinners with her teammates, and watching football and basketball games. Two of her favorite players include Lebron James and the late Kobe Bryant among others.
About Jermyra Bethea: Jermyra has shown she is a dedicated and well-rounded student-athlete. In her freshman season under Coach Rich Cooper, she averaged 9.8 points per game and collected 170 steals and 17 blocks over 23 games. She continues to thrive in her sophomore season, averaging 13.4 points and 11.9 points per game in leading the Runners off to a 7-2 overall record. She was named Garden State Athletic Conference Player of the Week for Dec. 1 through Dec. 7.
Prior to enrolling at RCSJ, Jermyra played three seasons for LEAP Academy in Camden, NJ. She scored 1007 career points for the Lions while also pulling down 785 career rebounds over three seasons. She also proved to be an effective shot blocker with 21 career blocks while also collecting 106 steals over 64 games. As a senior, Jermyra averaged 22 points and 11.4 rebounds per game.
She also proved to be a dedicated all-around athlete, also playing softball and registering a .313 batting average with 21 hits and 28 RBI's over two seasons.
Jermyra Bethea on Competing in Roadrunner Athletics: "Last year I didn't start off with the confidence I needed to play at the college level -- but a lot of my amazing teammates and coaches took the time to help me become better. That's helped me a lot where this season is concerned -- and I'm trying to step up and help our freshmen as much as I can. I want to become that type of a leader in their eyes."
Coach Rich Cooper on Jermyra Bethea: "This year we have asked Myra to take on a leadership role -- and she has really stepped up," said Coach Cooper. "Her game has been consistent throughout the season, and she's helping our freshmen learn the system and adjust to the college game."