Second to one

If the Central girls’ basketball team would have just taken a year off, it would have made Jasmine Pinkins a very happy camper.

The pesky Lancers were a persistent obstacle for Pinkins, of the 1900 block of South Bonsall Street, as she pursued her championship dreams with University City.

Just do the math: four seasons at University City and four postseason losses to Central, including two in the Public League championship game.

"I should’ve gone there," the 17-year-old senior said with a laugh. "I had fun playing with everybody on the team."

This season, the guard averaged 10 points and 12 assists a game, helping U-City’s Lady Jaguars advance to the Public League final four, where they drew defending champ Central. That was an intimidating match-up for University City, who lost 73-65 to Central in the 2004 championship game.

This time, both teams entered their Feb. 20 meeting with unblemished records in Public League play, but only one would advance to the title game.

Unfortunately for Pinkins, Central was once again that team after scoring a 68-65 win.

The athlete, who played in Tuesday night’s All-Public game at Northeast High, blames her impulsive action at the end of the third quarter for the playoff loss. After getting hit in the head, Pinkins retaliated by throwing a one-two combination at the Central player.

"I made a bad decision when I hit the girl," Pinkins said. "I think it cost us the game because we only lost by three."

The referees ejected one of Pinkins’ teammates instead of her, but she felt the sting just the same.

University City coach Lurline Jones believes the athlete learned a crucial lesson.

"Fighting has no place in this game," the coach said.

PINKINS PLANS TO grow as a player at the college level. Louisville, Morgan State and Manor Junior College are showing interest in her, but she must bring up her SAT score to qualify.

If she had her pick of schools, Pinkins – who might major in criminal justice – would go to Division I University of Tennessee.

"I just want to go to junior college and get recruited," she said. "I love [Tennessee] coach Pat Summitt. It’s been my dream to play for her."

Summitt has 879 career wins and the highest winning percentage on the women’s college-basketball circuit.

Jones, one of the top coaches in the Philadelphia Public League, said there will be a place for Pinkins in college basketball.

"Jazz isn’t going to be a high-impact player, but she is going to give you a consistent effort," the coach said.

Pinkins, who also plays volleyball and softball, inherited athletic genes from her parents. At South Philadelphia High, Jeff Pinkins played basketball and football, starring as an All-Public receiver for the 1980 Rams. Mom Robin Carter played basketball at Southern.

"When I found out that my mom and dad played, I knew I was going to play," said the young athlete, who has the word "Mom" tattooed on her left arm and "Dad" on her right hand.

The guard grew up playing Catholic Youth Organization basketball at St. Charles Borromeo with Central’s Gena Brown. The team didn’t win any championships, but the experience gave Pinkins a solid basketball background.

She said she enrolled at University City to get out of her neighborhood, but also because she was intrigued by Jones’ winning reputation.

"She works her girls hard," the athlete said of her coach. "I knew they were a good team from previous years when University City won championships." Jones noticed Pinkins’ talent early on and named the rookie to the varsity roster.

"I could see that she had some skills like handling the ball and running the floor," the coach recalled. "A lot of times what happens with Jazz is she’ll give people a pass and they can’t handle it. She has gotten a lot better."

As team captain this season, Pinkins tried to lead by example. The All-Public athlete said that started with making a commitment to practice.

"I had to make sure people were at practice, and make sure I showed up at practice on time," she said.

Pinkins is now getting ready to play a similar leading role on the baseball team, for which she is a pitcher-shortstop.

"I want to try and take the team to a championship," she said. "If we do, we’ll probably end up playing Central again."