SCOOBA — Kiki Patterson felt doubly blessed Tuesday afternoon.
“A lot of people do not leave a Division I basketball program and then have a chance to go back and play at another,” Patterson said. “I feel fortunate this has worked out. I feel blessed for a second time. This is an incredible opportunity.”
The East Mississippi Community College sophomore and former Columbus High School standout Patterson sign a scholarship offer with NCAA Division I member Jacksonville State University Tuesday at EMCC’s Keyes T. Currie Coliseum.
“One of the bad things about being a coach at a two-year college is that when you find someone the caliber of Kiki, you are going to have her for only one or two years,” EMCC coach Sharon Thompson said. “To be honest, we are thrilled that she was able to play two years for us. Kiki finished her degree here with a 3.25 grade point average and she was really a leader in every sense of the word. I am not sure Jacksonville State knows how really great a player they are getting.”
Patterson led Columbus to the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 6A North State semifinal round three straight seasons. The Lady Falcons fell one game shy of Jackson each season, with Patterson leading the way in almost every offensive category. She was a two-time all-state performer, as well as a 2012-13 Parade All-American.
Prior to her senior season in high school, Patterson signed with Mississippi State. However, instead of playing at MSU, Patterson wound up at EMCC where she was also a two-time Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges North Division first-team performer.
There was no disappointment that MSU didn’t work out. Instead, Patterson focused on dominating on a different level.
“I feel blessed to be here for a second time,” Patterson said. “(Coming to junior college) really humbled me. A lot of people want to discredit you, because you are playing junior college ball. I didn’t look at it that way.
“I really didn’t have a lot of disappointment because I knew wherever I went, I would draw some attention. I wanted to work hard to be the best I could be at this level.”
Patterson said her official visit with Jacksonville State helped set the Gamecocks’ program apart.
“I really liked the feeling I got on my visit,” Patterson said. “It was a home vibe. Everybody on the team was real close. The school has a great physical therapy program, so they have what I want to major in. Plus, it’s a full scholarship. There were so many things to like and that is why I am excited to get started.”
Thompson said the toughness and versatility of the 5-foot-9 Patterson is what sets her apart.
“She is a combo guard with a good skills set,” Thompson said. “She brings toughness, tenacity and a competitive nature to the court every day. That is what we are going to miss the most.”
EMCC finished 13-9 this season, including a first-round loss in the MACJC state tournament.
Patterson averaged 14.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.4 steals per game during her career on the Scooba campus. Her career totals for the Lady Lions included 668 points, 179 rebounds, 95 assists and 63 steals. While starting all 46 games for the Lady Lions, Patterson posted career shooting percentages of 41 percent from the field, including 43 made 3-pointers, and 71 percent from the charity stripe.
Patterson said Thompson, who played at Mississippi State, helped mold her into becoming a better player and person.
“The biggest thing she taught me is sometimes you do things when you don’t want to do them,” Patterson said. “When your body is sore and when something is not going to be easy, you have to do it anyway. She really taught me the responsibilities of becoming an adult.”
Patterson said her two seasons on the junior college level made her a mentally tougher player.
“I realized I can do anything I set my mind, too, with the help of God and my family,” Patterson said. “We had a great season. It didn’t finish how we wanted it, too. However, we were able to do some special things.
“From here I will take a lot of memories that I will have for the rest of my life.”
Follow Dispatch sports writer Scott Walters on Twitter @dispatchscott.
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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