Jones ends stellar career

Success seems to follow senior forward Trenecca Jones wherever she goes. A product from Chaffey High School, Jones has enjoyed a level of success at the University of La Verne comparable to recognizable women basketball players in the NCAA Division I.

However behind the success lies a person who just like to keep to herself.

“I keep to myself a lot,” Jones said. “I’m not here that much.”

But Jones has not been keeping her achievements under wraps. Her accomplishments span over a great career that has lasted for four years at ULV.

Jones said she was very active when she was younger, but she did not pick up playing basketball until her 6th grade year.

Through Kline’s assistant coach, Jones made her way from high school to La Verne.

Head coach Julie Kline knows best what Jones role was for the team.

"She's been a major impact player for us,” head coach Julie Kline said.

Kline said she was impressed with Jones’ natural talent.

“She's was very athletic, raw talent,” Kline said. "She never played in a structure environment so it took time.”

And to work Jones went, receiving a lot of minutes during her rookie season.

In time Jones developed into a rare star for the Leopards during her sophomore team, which featured a team that went to the first round of the NCAA Division III Women’s Basketball tournament.

During her sophomore season, Jones finished with averages of 16.6 points and 11 rebounds. Jones ranked No. 1 in scoring, No. 2 in rebounds and No. 5 in minutes played in SCIAC.

Jones was named a NCAA Division III All-American and the SCIAC Player of the Year.

“It was a good coming out year,” Jones said. “It showed my ability and my potential.”

Heading into her senior year, Jones felt that she was at her best fit ever.

“This was actually my strongest year,” Jones said. “I think that I came stronger this year.”

But Jones suffered an injury during the team’s game against La Sierra on Jan. 3 which took her out for most of the season.

The Leopards continued their success with the loss of Jones.

“I think they played as well as they could with the experience they had,” Jones said. “A lot of them were freshman.”

Jones said being injured most of the season gave her a chance to reflect about her time as a member of the women’s basketball team.

“Being out gave me appreciation for what I done at the University,” Jones said.

Coming back from her injury, Jones was able to participate in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship game against Occidental. La Verne lost the game, 51-37.

“Playing as a team was the key thing,” Jones said. “Me coming back through out the team chemistry. We didn’t play as a team.”

Although her senior year may seem like a disappointment, Jones also participates as a member of the track and field team. While Jones feel passionate for both sports, neither one of them takes precedent over the other.

But being an athelete was not always roses.

Jones said she balanced basketball and track and field with her chemistry major. Jones will graduate in May.

"People can attest I wasn't always in the best of moods," Jones said.

Professor of biology Jay Jones taught Jones during most of her academic career.

“She’s a very motivated student,” Jones said. “Students like Trenecca are inspirational. They’re the reason why faculty teaches here.”

Jones stated how much work Jones had to accomplish while playing sports.

“Biochemistry was a hard course for Trenecca,” Jones said. “She studied really hard.”

But Jones had no problem dealing with studies and sports. And as the graduation day approaches Jones will take her skills to good use in the future.

"I am a very competitive person," Jones said. "I do whatever it takes to compete."