Shine’s Versatility Puts Her in Spotlight

Some players look bewildered when Jamie Shine of El Modena flies past them to catch a long pass for an easy layup.

That’s because most 6-footers can’t outsprint point guards in girls’ basketball.

Shine, a 6-foot junior, has the size and the shooting touch to score in the post against almost anyone, and she also is quick enough to defend players on the perimeter.

“I like playing aggressive defense,” Shine said. “I like trying to intimidate people and get them irritated when I get up in their face on defense.”

That hustling attitude and her quickness and basketball skill helped Shine become a first-team All-Century League selection as a sophomore last season.

But considering her genes, it isn’t surprising.

Her father, Tom Shine, starred at quarterback for Duarte High School and earned a football scholarship to the University of Hawaii. He also is the quarterback coach for Rancho Santiago College.

Her brother, Casey, is a starting tight end on El Modena’s football team and is also a standout on the boys’ basketball team.

And as a fourth-grader, Jamie played on the same boys’ basketball team as did Casey, the squad coached by their father.

So excelling in basketball, track and volleyball is no big deal to Shine.

“I always look forward to each sport,” she said. “When volleyball season is winding down, I’m getting ready for basketball. When basketball’s almost over, then I’m ready for track.

“I like the intensity of basketball, but I also like the individual challenges of track,” said Shine, who won the Century League championship in the 100-yard dash as a freshman.

Her best time in the event is 11.5 seconds, and in the 220 her best is 26.1, El Modena track Coach Tom Weber said. Weber is trying to convert Shine into a quarter-miler, where her best time is 60.5.

“The 440 is probably where she can have the most success,” Weber said. “I think she has pretty good potential.” he said.

Her times are not fantastic, but they say nothing of Shine’s versatility.

Although she is striving to become a top-notch 440 runner, she also runs the 100, 220, 400 relay and mile relay during most dual meets.

“She’s our sprint workhorse,” Weber said.

During the recent volleyball season, Shine moved to outside hitter after spending her sophomore season at middle blocker. In 1991, she helped El Modena reach the Southern Section Division 3-A championship match, where the Vanguards lost to La Habra in five games.

And on the basketball court, she averaged eight points and nine rebounds for a Century League championship team last season.

But this year, basketball Coach John Cahill expects more.

With league MVP and team captain Melizza Benitez graduated, Cahill needs Shine to step forward to lead a team dominated by sophomores and juniors.

“I think she’d rather lead by example,” Cahill said. “She’s always been capable of excelling, but last year, she just did her role.

“Athletically, Jamie is one of the most gifted players that I’ve coached,” he said. “She just has to play more basketball to get a better feel for the game if she wants to play in college.”

Shine has tried to step forward for the Vanguards this season, averaging 14 points and 12 rebounds in four games, but it still hasn’t produced a victory.

“She needs to work on her outside jumper,” Cahill said. “She has a great attitude, gets good grades, hustles, and does whatever we ask her to do.

“She’ll be one of the people carrying us,” he said.

And hopefully for Cahill, Shine can carry the Vanguards to more success over the next two seasons.