I can assure you I will not pack your Free Press sports pages with Lakers news.
Some of you may recognize my byline from news stories appearing in the paper the last nine months. With a fervent goal to become a sports writer, a seamless aligning of events, a zealously supportive editor and a little Free Press pixie dust — I was able to transition from the education reporter to the sports editor, and I couldn’t be more eager.
When I first arrived in Kinston from my college town of Atlanta (Georgia State alumna), I was so thrilled to be well-received by the leaders, educators and residents of the city. I’ve met incredible people and written dozens of stories across the spectrum, but now I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue what I did most of my time in college.
I left my hometown of Los Angeles for the Southeast in 2007 to pursue a degree in journalism. After completing a degree program marked by the tumult, excitement and surprises accompanying life, I wound up in Eastern North Carolina. I’ve got to say I absolutely adore it here, and I found a charming place to call home for now — and what a home it is for a sports fan, especially a basketball nut like myself.
As I watched — game-by-game — my Lakers’ championship hopes fade away this season, I was able to lean on another basketball program. The Kinston High School Vikings, which I loved to watch after a long day of work last winter and spring, kept me thoroughly entertained and satisfied through my professional basketball woes.
I never turned in my purple and gold for that green and gold, but it was neat to see both varsity basketball teams win a state title my first year in Kinston. Every hoops freak wants to watch a team complete a road to the championship, no matter what level, so I’m lucky to have wound up here.
But this basketball season, along with all other sports seasons, I’ll be swapping my pom-pom (yes, singular) in the stands for a notepad on the sideline. I’m anxious to check out the schools I haven’t yet seen play, even though I’ll be watching in a completely different capacity.
I understand I’ve got some big shoes — or should I say flip-flops — to fill with the departure of Ryan Herman. I got a chance to spend some time with him on the job before he left, and I see what a mark he’s made in this community. He is truly admired by you, and rightfully so. He’s a great guy, who was very helpful in this transition, and I’m sure the “Hermanator” will be missed; shoot, the people even gave him a nickname.
I know I have a lot of good guys in my corner to assist me in my new role. I have “three of the best stringers in North Carolina,” said the Free Press Editor Bryan Hanks of Justin Hill, Michael Moon and Keith Spence. I look forward to working with them. And I have Hanks himself: unofficially-but-maybe-officially ’da man of the area sports world as he formerly sat in the same seat I now occupy.
Oh joy.
This is awesome. I thank everyone in town who wished me congratulations so far. I’m ready to come in and hit the ground running — the only thing I can hit. I never fared well with ball sports in high school, and I know that sounds terrible. I was a track and field girl, notching just a single season of volleyball to evade cross country. But you put me on a court, field, diamond or whatever, and I’m going for the kill, faking it until I make it.
I feel great about everything, and I can’t wait to get my hands dirty. I’ll pursue the sports beat with the same vigor I used to cover education and the Jones County Post news, which I will still do until my replacement arrives.
In the meantime, I’m anxious to meet and work with everyone in sports. We’ll get along great, so long you don’t 1) bad-mouth my team, 2) bad-mouth the Mamba 3) not bad-mouth King James and the Heat or 4) remind me how much better the Clippers will be over the Lakers next season. Understood?
Well, then … until we meet.
Jessika Morgan can be reached at 252-559-1078 and Jessika.Morgan@Kinston.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessikaMorgan.