Jazzmyn Harvey’s had a pretty good week. Wednesday night she helped lead the Lady Broncos of Walther Lutheran High School to a 47-42 victory over Northside Prep at the annual Thanksgiving U-High Tournament. On Thursday, Harvey signed a national letter of intent to join the Western Michigan University women's basketball team next season.
Harvey, a 5’8” guard from Bellwood, has actually had a pretty good year and an excellent high school career. Just a month ago she was crowned 2007 Homecoming queen at the little Lutheran school that’s been recently making waves in IHSA post season sports across the board. The Class A girls’ basketball team has made Elite Eight appearances the past two years with Harvey and her squad bringing home the 2007 4th place trophy.
Jazz, as friends and fans affectionately call her, is known for her three point shots. She tossed off three in the U-High game to give her 25 points in the game. Along with her teammate, friend and fellow guard, Dominique White, this dynamic duo is looking for another strong season with five other returning varsity players and eight well-rounded newcomers.
No athlete succeeds in a vacuum. Harvey owes much to her family and her coaches. Todd Fisher, head coach of Walther’s varsity team, was named two time Coach of the Year by Basketball Coaches Association District 7 Class A. “It has been a pleasure to coach, and teach Jazzmyn over the last four years at Walther. Not only has she excelled in the classroom, she obviously has excelled on the basketball court and track,” said Fisher noting that Harvey was on the 2007 State Championship 4 x 100 meter relay squad. “Obtaining this scholarship has been a goal for her, and she has worked extremely hard to get it…I would like to congratulate Jazzmyn and her family on achieveing this great milestone in her life, and wish her nothing but the best.” Jazzmyn’s father, Andre Harvey, has been a valuable addition to the Bronco basketball staff and has been coaching his daughter since 5th grade. “I’m happy that all her hard work has paid off,” he beamed. “I’m happy for her, her teammates, Coach Fisher and Walther.”
His daughter didn’t play basketball until the 3rd grade, explained Harvey. Ironically this high scoring shooter was cut from the team in 4th grade. “She came home and asked me to work with her so she could make the team in 5th grade.” Being both coach and parent has been a challenging, yet rewarding, job for him. “I’ve had to be sure I wasn’t too hard on her,” he chuckled.
Her signing with Division I WMU is extra special to Jazzmyn because two close friends and teammates from her AAU basketball team are going with her. Twin sisters Miame and Robin Given from nearby Proviso East also signed national letters of intent this week.
Surprisingly, Jazzmyn’s favorite basketball memory isn’t from Illinois State University’s Redbird Arena where the State finals are played. Instead, it is the game that started them on the road to Redbird. “My most memorable Bronco moment was my sophomore year when we won the Regional Championship final against Timothy Christian,” she shared. What has been her favorite team to compete against over the years? “Illiana Christian,” she declared without hesitation. “They’ve always been our best conference competition.”
Present at the signing were Jazzmyn, her parents Andre and Naida Harvey, grandparents Al and Winnie Harvey, Assistant Athletic Director Bruce Tuomi, Fisher, White and friend Brandon Sims, along with representations of school and local press.
For Harvey, it’s once a Bronco always a Bronco, as her high school and college teams share the same equine mascot. Jazzmyn plans to study nursing. “I’ve always wanted to be a pediatric nurse, even since I was little,” she shared. She’ll report to WMU for conditioning camp at the end of June. “I feel good,” she said. Is she nervous? “No, I’m not nervous,” Harvey assures. “I am!,” exclaimed White who’s a junior this year. Neither young woman has much reason to be.
Walther Lutheran High School is a co-educational Christian school located at 9th and Chicago in Melrose Park. The school has an enrollment of just over 400 students from fifty-seven different Chicago area zip codes. For more information about Walther Lutheran High School, call 708.344.0404 or visit Walther.com.
Press Release contact: Lori Solyom, Public Information Coordinator
