Cosby Keeps Guard Up With Move to Backcourt

Describing Jessica Cosby as versatile is a big understatement.

Not only is she a top sprinter and defending City Section champion in the shot put for the Granada Hills High track and field team, she also is the basketball team’s leading scorer.

And she has managed that scoring lead from every position--center, forward, guard, point guard. You name it, she’s played it--well.

“I enjoy doing different things,” Cosby said. “I just want to do whatever I can to help the team out.”

With Cosby, a 5-foot-7 sophomore, setting the pace by averaging 18.9 points and 14.3 rebounds, Granada Hills (15-4) was seeded No. 4 in the City Section 3-A Division playoffs. The Highlanders’ first-round game is tonight at 7:30 against Huntington Park at Granada Hills.

As a freshman, Cosby was a post player who relied on strength and aggressiveness to average 18.5 points and 16.1 rebounds. She didn’t have a jump shot. Didn’t need one.

Then came this season, and a move to guard. It was an adjustment Cosby wasn’t entirely happy about.

“It has kind of forced me to develop my game,” she said. “I know it will probably help me in the long run, and I’m working on it. But I would still like to be inside.”

Granada Hills Coach Carolyn Gunny realizes Cosby has sacrificed to make the transition.

“She doesn’t always like it. And I know she doesn’t like it,” Gunny said. “But we’ve asked her to play there, and she plays whatever role we need her to.”

Cosby usually plays guard, but she has also been used at point guard after the Highlanders were forced to find replacements for their starting backcourt from last season.

Sandy Yanagi, a senior point guard who would have been a third-year starter, suffered a knee injury and hasn’t played this season. Saki Uechi, the other returning guard, wanted to concentrate on golf and academics and decided not to play basketball.

Into the void came Cosby.

“She was able to step right in,” Gunny said. “It solved a problem for the team, and I think it also opened some doors for Jessica that she probably should explore if she wants to play in college.”

Cosby wants to play in college. She just isn’t sure which sport.

Truly a track and field standout, Cosby heaved the shot put 43 feet 8 inches to win the City title last year. That mark ranks her 10th on the all-time high school list in the region. As a sprinter, she had a best of 12.3 seconds for 100 meters.

Involved in track since she was 8, Cosby did not play organized basketball until the eighth grade. Since then, the sports have competed for her attention.

“I try to do both the best that I can,” she said. “I don’t really see myself giving up one for the other.”

In keeping with the season, basketball is now Cosby’s focus.

“I have developed this year,” she said. “I don’t think I’m a complete player yet, but I’m most definitely a better all-around player.”

By working to develop her ball-handling skills and an outside shot, Cosby has become respectful of her place on the perimeter.

“Playing guard is way harder than being a post player,” she said. “You have to look at everything. Sometimes, if you see a hole, you might want to take it yourself, but then you have to look at everyone else too, and make decisions based on that.

“It’s kind of hard, but it’s something I want to do my best at.”

Her best, it seems, is usually good enough.