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Westhope-Newburg’s Jiles gives credit to others for on-court success

Westhope-Newburg’s Abbie Jiles has been around athletics most of her life.

So, it should come as no surprise that the sophomore is finding success on the basketball court.

The 5-foot-7 guard recorded her 1,000th career point in a 53-49 win over Stanley on Jan. 13.

“It’s kind of overwhelming,” she said of her accomplishment. “I didn’t know I was that close. I’m kind of blessed. I couldn’t have done it without my teammates.”

Along those same lines, her team couldn’t do it without her. The Sioux are currently third in the Region 11 standings, behind Rugby and Velva-Sawyer.

“If we play like we should,” Jiles said. “We could (be good).”

In nine games this season, Jiles is averaging 25.8 points a game, and has surpassed the 30-point mark on three different occasions.

“I have three brothers and we are a sports family,” she said. “I’ve always been around sports, but basketball is the one that stuck out.”

But Jiles is far from a one-sport athlete. In addition to basketball, Jiles also participates in volleyball, track and field and softball. As a track athlete, she competes in the sprints and triple jump. She posted a fifth-place finish at the state track meet two years ago.

But when asked what her favorite sport was, Jiles was quick to respond.

“Definitely, basketball,” she said.

Jiles and her family moved to the Newburg area two years ago from Arkansas. Her mother is originally from the area, so the Jiles family returned to where her mother grew up.

Asked about the difference between North Dakota and Arkansas, Jiles didn’t hesitate on her answer.

“It’s very cold,” she said.

Jiles got her first experience at the varsity level in eighth grade, and had immediate success.

“They put me in eighth grade,” she said. “And my shots started going in.”

Jiles also has the rare opportunity that most other players don’t ever get to experience. Her father, Alonzo, is the Westhope-Newburg coach.

And she wouldn’t trade that experience for anything.

“It’s fun,” she said of playing for her father. “He has some funny facial expressions.”

Jiles says the highlight of her career has been a game-winning shot she hit against Towner-Granville-Upham during her eighth-grade season.

As for advice to others, Jiles says to stay at it and don’t give up.

“Keep working,” she said. “Get in the gym each day. Try and improve each day in one area.”

Not bad advice from someone who has been around sports for most of her life.

Mark Jones covers high school sports and general assignments. Follow him on Twitter @MarkJones27_MDN.

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