What better way to finish a successful collegiate
career than to share it with a loved one—not someone in the
stands watching but rather on the basketball court playing
alongside you.
Case Western Reserve University senior guard
Jasmine Rowan received an early graduation gift this school
year when she found out her younger sister Carmen, also a basketball
player, would
be transferring to Case and becoming her teammate.
"It's been humbling and fun having her around," Jasmine
said with a smile. "It can be a little weird at times.
But we play different positions, so we don't really have to
compete."Carmen, a sophomore forward, chose Xavier University
in Louisiana over Case the first time around because at the
last minute
she decided she didn't want to play basketball. But it didn't
take long for her to get the itch again.
"It's tough to sit in the stands after you've
played for a while and go cold turkey, and, academically, I
wanted to be more
challenged," Carmen said. "So I talked to Case Coach
Kristin Hughes because I knew Jasmine was here and really liked
it."
Speaking of Jasmine, she became only the sixth
player in school history to reach the 1,000-point plateau January
18 in St.
Louis. She had 13 points in a game against Washington University
pushing her to 181 on the season and 1,004 in her career at
Case.
"I had a lot of expectations for myself,
and it's been nice that I have been able to accomplish some
of those things," Jasmine
said.
After graduation, Jasmine said she wants to eventually
practice law, possibly family law with a joint degree in public
health.
That fits. Because growing up in Richmond Heights, Ohio, Jasmine
said her parents always thought she acted like Carmen's attorney.
"Carmen was always really, really quiet, so I would speak on
her behalf," Jasmine said. "Actually, we both started
out premed in college but changed our minds."
Carmen said she wants to be an educator. English appeals to
her, but she also has a double minor in Spanish and communication
disorders. Eventually, she would like to teach-and coach-at
the college level.
"I think English is one of the few subjects
that cares what people's opinions are, and all you have to
do is back it up," Carmen
said. "There is no right or wrong answer, and that's why
it is so interesting to me."
Speaking of interesting: Their
father Stephen is an attorney. Currently, he is not practicing
law but is instead a pastor
at the family's church. And—you guessed it—Cynthia, their mother,
works in education as a guidance counselor at Mayfield schools
in Ohio.
The sisters said they never thought they would
follow in their parents' footsteps. It just kind of happened.
And
they both
believe things happen for reasons, like Carmen returning home
to go to school and play basketball with her sister.
"I think our last moment on the court together will be much
more powerful than our first or any one in between," said
Carmen. "It will hit home a lot more."
Jasmine is currently leading the Spartans in scoring (13.9
ppg.) and three-point field goals (32). Carmen is fifth on
the team in scoring (6.4 ppg.) and third in rebounding (4.7
rpg.).
Case is 6-8 on the year and has won four out
of their last five contests. They host Brandies University
at 6 p.m.
January
30 and New York University at 3 p.m. February 1.
