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| Former Leesburg Lady Jackets Standout Jaleesa Blue will continue her very successful basketball career in Tallahassee at Florida A&M University this fall. |
By Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
August 17, 2011
Leesburg - Jaleesa Blue is a 6'0" combo player from Leesburg, Florida. She averaged 11.8 points, 11.5 rebounds, three assists, four steals and two blocked shots per game as a senior at Leesburg High School. She was ranked the No.1 power forward in the state of Florida in 2011. She holds the record for most rebounds and blocked shots in Leesburg High School girls basketball history.
Here is a short list of Jaleesa Blue's accomplishments
2011 Florida A&M University Signee
2011 FHSAA Girls Basketball State Semifinalist
2011 Lake County Player of the Year
Orlando Sentinel Player of the Week
2011 Team MVP
2011 Top 25 in Central Florida Girls Basketball
Top Shot Blocker in School History Girls Basketball
2011 Defensive & Offensive Rebounder Award for Leesburg Girls Basketball
2011 Orlando Sentinel All Central Florida Girls Basketball Team
2011 FACA All-State Girls Basketball Team
2010 Top 20 Junior in Central Florida
Here is an exclusive interview with
Florida A&M University Signee Jaleesa Blue
Carver Heights Quarterback Club Presents:
Gerald Lacey One On One With Florida A&M University's Jaleesa Blue
Gerald Lacey:
Good Morning Jaleesa How are you?
Jaleesa Blue:
Good morning Mr. Lacey I am doing fine.
Gerald Lacey:
When will you be leaving for school Jaleesa?
Jaleesa Blue:
August 21, 2011
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| Jaleesa Blue will play her home games at the Al Lawson Jr. Multi Purpose Center on the campus of Florida A&M University. The Florida A&M University Rattlers have the best Division I basketball arena in the South with the 10,000 seat Al Lawson Center, opened in late 2009. |
Gerald Lacey:
What kind of conditioning have you been doing during the offseason in preparing for your first year playing college basketball?
Jaleesa Blue:
I have been working out with my high school coach Mark Oates. He has been having me do drill work, shooting, running, and etc. and I also have been working out with my cousins Garnel and Sandy Rackley they have been having me lift weights so I can strengthen my arms and legs.
Gerald Lacey:
What position will you play at Florida A&M?
Jaleesa Blue:
I will be playing the guard/forward position
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| Former Lady Jacket Jaleesa Blue will continue her education at Florida A&M University one of the oldest and largest HBCU's in the nation. |
Gerald Lacey:
Who insprired you the most?
Jaleesa Blue:
My mother (Melva Blue) inspired me the most because to see her raise me on her own and work hard to take care of me makes me want to go out and work hard to accomplish my goals so I can be something in life to take care of her.
Gerald Lacey:
What will you major in at Florida A&M?
Jaleesa Blue:
I will be majoring out of sports management or physical therapy but most likely physical therapy.
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| Jaleesa Blue with her mom Melva Blue before Prom 2011 |
Gerald Lacey: Are you excited about having the opportunity to play basketball in college?
Jaleesa Blue:
Yes im very excited to have the opportunity to play college basketball because a lot of people don’t have a chance to play college ball so its like a dream come true and to play for FAMU im very excited. So FAMU better get ready for me cause Jaleesa Blue is going to strike, strike, and strike again!!! LOL!
Gerald Lacey:
How helpful was Coach Mark Oates and his staff in helping you get a scholarship?
Jaleesa Blue:
Coach Oates and the coaching staff have been very helpful and not only my high school coaches have been helpful but also my AAU coaches in getting me exposed to college coaches.
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| Jaleesa dribbles the ball towards the basket in 2011 FHSAA Class 4A Girls Basketball Semifinals vs Saint Petersburg Lakewood |
Gerald Lacey:
How did you feel about playing for Coach Oates?
Jaleesa Blue:
I feel like playing for coach Oates is an honor because there is not a lot of coaches that will do what he do to help his players and not only does he coaches but he give life lessons through his coaching and is a father figure to a lot of us players that played for him.
Gerald Lacey:
Did his program prepare you for the college level?
Jaleesa Blue:
Yes I feel like his program is going to prepare me for college because he coaches and practice us like we in college so I feel like its going to prepare me.
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| Leesburg's Jaleesa Blue (seated) along with (left to right) Ethel Blue, Demond Blue, Melva Blue (mother), Leesburg coach Mark Oates, Sandi Rackley and Leesburg assistant coach Heather Connelly |
Gerald Lacey: What are your goals for your first year at FAMU?
Jaleesa Blue:
My goals as a first year freshman is to come in and work hard and have a quick impact on the team to help us win, also to start as a freshman, and to help my team win a MEAC (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) Championship!!!
Gerald Lacey:
Will you play right away or will you redshirt?
Jaleesa Blue:
Yes hopefully I will play right away. I don’t know about the redshirt I haven’t talk to my coach about that.
Gerald Lacey:
What accomplishments are you most proud of?
Jaleesa Blue:
The accomplishment im most proud of is getting my high school diploma Lord knows I been through a lot to get that.
Gerald Lacey:
What role did your parents play in your school selection?
Jaleesa Blue:
My family played a big role with my selection to go to Florida A&M and I want to say thank you for helping me and I really appreciate everything you all have done for me(you all know who you are) thank you.
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| Jaleesa Blue battling for a rebound in the FHSAA Class 4A Girls State Basketball Semifinal game against Saint Petersburg Lakewood High |
Gerald Lacey:
What steps do you planning on taking in order to make a smooth transition from high school to college?
Jaleesa Blue:
The steps I plan on taking is to continue to workout with coach Oates and my peeps, and follow the workout plan that FAMU gave me.
Gerald Lacey:
Good luck with your future at Florida A&M University my youngest child De'Breah will be a sophomore there this fall. I look forward to seeing you play over the next four years. Remember GO HARD!!!!!
Jaleesa Blue:
Thank You Mr. Lacey
Resources
Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
geraldlacey@leesburgyellowjacketsfootball.com
www.leesburgyellowjacketsfootball.com
Gerald is a professional Internet marketer and social media marketing expert. His online business ventures and websites generate multiple streams of income annually. His consulting clients include best selling authors and international speakers.
Gerald is the CEO/President of Lacey LLC and OmariWholesale, Inc. He runs his entire business from his home where he is able to spend quality time with his family and friends. He is passionate about helping individuals to build and monetize their personal brand online.
