Athletes of the Week — Jan. 31 to Feb. 6, 2011

Gabby Jackson - Columbia girls basketball:Action Jackson was at it again this week with two very productive games for the Cougars, who got back to .500 on Saturday. Jackson scored 45 points, pulled down 21 boards, blocked four shots, swiped four steals and assisted nine times. Talk about a complete stat line! Man is she exciting to watch.

Brian Kaneshige - Columbia fencing: You want to talk drama? How about flying in from Paris the night before the District 3 Championships, and swooping in like Superman to save the day? That was the exact scene for Kaneshige last Sunday as he led the locals to a second consecutive District 3 title, and won his fourth consecutive individual district title in the foil, becoming only the second person in state history to do so.

Cougar Cuts

Just when it seemed like the Columbia girls track team was untouchable, Mt. St. Dominic uses its very deep distance running squad to give the Cougars a run for their money in the county championship meet last week. No matter, Columbia held on for an 83.16 - 82 victory and their fourth straight county championship. Had Kayann Richards run in this meet, Columbia wins by 30 - that’s the type of difference she makes. But as it were, CHS head coach Lisa Morgan had to dig deep into her roster and show the type of young depth this team has.

Olivia Baker continued to amaze with wins in the 400 and 800. Whitney Jackson continued her emergence as a major point contributor, taking gold in both the 55 dash and the 200. Ambur Ballew stepped up in the 55 hurdles and ran a personal best to win that event. Imani Coleman placed in the 400 and helped in the 4x400. All of the freshmen and sophomores who stepped up really make the Cougars look like nothing is changing anytime soon as far as dominance goes.

Gabby “Action” Jackson is the most complete high school basketball player, male or female, that I’ve ever seen in person. A lot of players are scorers, or rebounders, or defenders, good ball handlers or specialize in some other skill. Action Jackson can do anything that needs to be done on a basketball court and she can do it all well. She can drive to the basket, she has the athleticism to rebound with girls four or five inches taller, she can handle and pass the ball, she can defend like crazy, she can block shots, hit free throws, you name it. She is going to be very successful as a college player, because of her ability to do whatever is asked of her.

The Cougar boys basketball team suffered a pretty devastating loss on Thursday in West Orange against the Seton Hall Prep Pirates. Columbia lost by just seven points, but the loss could end any hopes of winning the American Division. The Pirates have four county games left, with a home game against East Orange looking like the only losable one. If Columbia stays perfect and SHP stumbles (they have to play EO twice in the next two weeks, once in county quarters), the Cougars can at least be co-champs. If not, they’ll be kicking themselves for that early loss to Irvington.

The three most important games of the week

1. Boys basketball vs. MKA - Saturday ECT quarters: Montclair Kimberley Academy upset University in the first round of the tourney and will be looking for more this weekend at CHS. A loss for Columbia ion the quarters would really mar what has otherwise been a great season. Besides, they definitely want another shot at SHP and that only happens if they get to the county finals.

2. Indoor track Group 4 championships in Toms River - Friday: When you have a serious and perennially contending program like the Cougars do, the season is just getting started. Expect multiple Cougar girls and a few boys to move on to the Meet of Champions. Columbia girls should be in contention for a team title, especially with a healthy Richards back.

3. Boys bball vs. Montclair - Thursday: After being upset in the first round of the ECT by Irvington, Montclair will be looking to ruin someone’s season. A third county loss for the Cougars would end even the chance at a co-divisional championship. Columbia has to keep winning and keep putting pressure on the Pirates.