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Varsity 541 NEWS NOW Emergency services, Aug. 27 ... Film director James Ivory says Lake of the Woods cabin 'goes back to my earliest memories' ... Gymnastics coach again admits to secret filming ... Emergency services, Aug. 27 ... Film director James Ivory says Lake of the Woods cabin 'goes back to my earliest memories' ... Gymnastics coach again admits to secret filming ... GIRLS BASKETBALL More than a game Comment By Dan Jones Mail Tribune Follow @@danjonesmt MailTribune.com By Dan Jones Mail Tribune Follow @@danjonesmt Posted Feb. 28, 2016 at 6:54 PM Updated Feb 28, 2016 at 6:57 PM By Dan Jones Mail Tribune Follow @@danjonesmt Posted Feb. 28, 2016 at 6:54 PM Updated Feb 28, 2016 at 6:57 PM --> Jasmin Falls WHO: 6-foot senior forward/post for South Medford. WHAT: Has averaged 14.4 points and 10 rebounds this season. UP NEXT: Tue... » Read more X Jasmin Falls WHO : 6-foot senior forward/post for South Medford. WHAT : Has averaged 14.4 points and 10 rebounds this season. UP NEXT : Tuesday, St. Mary’s Academy at South Medford, 7 p.m. » Social News The young woman who assisted in the recent production of Schoolhouse Rock! was a hit with the children of Kids Unlimited Academy, KU founder and CEO Tom Cole was happy to report. The helper is a 4.0 senior at South Medford High who enjoys singing and who is known around campus as a kind soul. Her name is Jasmin Falls, and she's also one of the third-ranked Panthers' toughest and most aggressive basketball players. "I don't think most of those kids even knew she played basketball," says Cole, who is also head coach of the South Medford girls basketball team. "She is someone who has such a diverse set of skills. She's a great student and a great singer. She has an artistic side. I have told her many times that she does an amazing job with younger kids." On the court, the Portland State-bound Falls is a physical 6-foot forward/post who isn't afraid to mix it up down low. Off the court, she's a good friend and a compassionate person without a mean bone in her body, teammate Julissa Tago says. “She is always making sure everyone is good,” Tago says. “She comes in and tries to pick everyone up. She’s like the mother of the team. Even the little things, like she will make sure everyone has food and stuff like that. … She’s an amazing person. She’s just so sweet and so nice and makes sure everyone feels welcome. She has a way of making everyone laugh and picking everyone up when they are sad.” Falls contributed to the children’s play as part of her senior project, and her involvement was lauded, Cole added. The 17-year-old Falls has averaged 14.4 points and 10 rebounds this season for South Medford (22-3), which will next host St. Mary’s Academy in a Class 6A first-round state playoff contest on Tuesday. She has shot 58 percent from the floor for the Panthers, who have won 16 straight games. "I think she has been physically one of our toughest kids on the inside," Cole says. "For her size, she has a big responsibility of defending positions much longer and bigger than her, and I think it speaks to her versatility that she's been able to perform as well as she has. It's one of the things that was very attractive to Portland State." Falls, like the team's other seniors (Tago and Jeryka Johnson), has never experienced a league loss. The Panthers wrapped up their sixth consecutive undefeated conference season last week. Within the team, Falls is known as a person who offers advice and encouragement. That comes from being the oldest sibling of three, she says. "I'm used to taking that responsible role," says Falls, who was a first-team SWC pick last season. In her four years at South, Falls has played in two Class 6A state championships, falling short in both. During that span, her offensive arsenal has expanded and she has become tougher. "I think I got over a mental block," she says. “My dad and Tom would work with me and I knew I needed to be more aggressive. I think when you are younger you are scared to make a move or take a shot. I think playing all the time, you are forced to step into that role of being more aggressive. We have had great teams and I've never had to be a scorer. This year everyone has stepped up and stepped into a role of being tougher." Cole has seen the same growth. "Each year she has improved," he says. "Offensively and defensively. She made a big transition her junior to senior year. Her confidence level became apparent this summer. That is a big part of her game and our identity.” Junior teammate Lauren Orndoff says Falls has everyone's back. “She’s been great not only offensively, but defensively,” she says. “She’s really good at communicating on defense. If someone is on the backside and we don’t see she’ll call it out.” Falls say she is thankful to have had the chance to travel around the nation during her prep career with the Panthers, who have made stops in states including Hawaii, New York and Massachusetts. "It's definitely been a long journey, but I'm proud of what I have done and what the team has done," she says. "I'm grateful for all the opportunities I have received. It's been a life-changing experience." Now, Falls says she is just trying to be a good leader and a positive influence as her prep career nears its end. "(I'm) just trying to be someone the team can rally around," she says. "All the seniors are. We just want to be good examples." Looking further down the road, Falls says she is thrilled to join the NCAA Division I Vikings next year. "I am super excited," she says. "Getting the chance to go somewhere where you already know a few people [former SOU coach Lynn Kennedy and former Panther Yaremi Mejia]. I've gotten to know (Kennedy). I was going to his SOU camps in the sixth and seventh grade. It's crazy how it all comes back around." Looking back, Falls remembers watching from the bench as an eighth-grader when the Panthers captured the state championship in undefeated fashion in 2012. That South squad finished 30-0. "(Tago) and I were there watching," she recalls. "To see that experience, it was so surreal to be there. I remember just being excited to be a part of the program. It was just inspiring." More fresh in her mind, however, is the upset loss to Roseburg in last winter's quarterfinals. Falls and many of her teammates have come agonizingly close to a state crown, falling to Central Catholic in 2013 and Oregon City in 2014 in the finals. St. Mary’s Academy is 6-18 and seeded 31st, while the Panthers are seeded second and on the opposite side of the bracket as No. 1 Jesuit, No. 4 South Salem and No. 5 Oregon City. One thing is for sure: Spectators are sure to see a smiling Falls on and off the court if South is able to get back to the ultimate stage. "I am really hoping we can pull it off this year," she says. Reach reporter Dan Jones at 541-776-4499, or email [email protected]. Find him online at twitter.com/danjonesmt By Dan Jones Mail Tribune Follow @@danjonesmt MailTribune.com By Dan Jones Mail Tribune Follow @@danjonesmt Posted Feb. 28, 2016 at 6:54 PM Updated Feb 28, 2016 at 6:57 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction Schedules & Events --> Recent Scores --> Prep Notebook Kris Henry Challengers make it back on top in softball Winning the Southern Cascade League title seemed like a pretty bold goal this spring considering the recent history of the Cascade Christian... 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