Chesapeake’s Jenkins to miss states, regionals

WYE MILLS – Chesapeake College sophomore guard Jimmie Jenkins, who is averaging nearly a double-double for the Skipjacks, will be out another 4-6 weeks after his right knee injury was diagnosed Thursday as a torn meniscus.

Jenkins, who leads the Skipjacks in points (24.5) and assists (9.2) per game while shooting 46 percent from the field, will have to have the tear surgically repaired.  However, he remained optimistic about the future even with the latest news.

"I just look at this as another speed bump on my road to success," texted Jenkins, who missed the entire 2011-12 season and the first 11 games of this season due to academic difficulties before a renewed commitment to academics this school year.  "I will remain positive."

Jenkins has been an energetic supporter of the team from the bench since his injury five games ago in the second half of a win over Howard Community College.  The Skipjacks (17-9) are 4-0 since Jenkins' injury, including Tuesday's win over CCBC-Essex in the first round of the Maryland Junior College Athletic Conference tournament.

The sixth-seeded Skipjacks take on third-seeded Frederick Community College Friday at 2 p.m. in a state quarterfinal at Harford Community College.

Jenkins' diagnosis means he will definitely miss the rest of the state tournament as well as the NJCAA Division II Region XX tournament, which takes place March 1-3.  Jenkins could conceivably come back to play in the NJCAA Division II national tournament in mid-March if the Skipjacks qualify by winning the regional title.

"I will be my team's biggest supporter and I will do everything to get us prepared to go to nationals," promised Jenkins.  "Hopefully I'm able to be back then because I strongly believe my teammates will get us to nationals."

"Our goal is to get to nationals and have Jimmie back just in time for that," said Chesapeake head coach Joel Dearring.  "We're proud of Jimmie – he's a very strong young man and he's handled this really well."