Head women’s basketball coach Dobee Plaisance will receive assistance this season from a former member of the opposing side. But although she wore the enemy colors against Plaisance for a number of years, new assistant coach Jessica Barber will play a key role in recruitment and coaching the team’s point guards.
“She’s coming in at a time where the types of players we’re going after are being recruited by local and national Division I schools,” said Plaisance, who feels the team is more attractive than ever after winning last year’s Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Championship.
Prior to Barber joining the staff, Plaisance faced the steep tasks of recruitment, scheduling and scouting, on top of coaching. As the new head of recruitment, Barber focuses on scouting local games, statistic-tracking and meeting with coaches and athletes.
The coach and her new assistant have a history dating back to when Barber was 10 and played for the Dominos, an Amateur Athletic Union team. Plaisance coached the rival Southern Belles and recalls playing her many times.
The two met again when Barber accepted an athletic scholarship to fellow GCAC school University of Mobile. Three of her four years with the Lady Rams, the team made it to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics’ national tournament, and they were co-conference champions her freshman year. Barber still holds the Mobile record for career assists.
“She was a feisty little guard, and I had to face her way too many times. I’m glad to have her on my side of the court,” Plaisance said.
Plaisance recalled the time Barber suffered an injury to her anterior cruciate ligament before the end of her senior season and managed to play for several minutes in the conference tournament – a measure of her drive and determination, Plaisance said.
Barber played for Franklinton (La.) High School and made first-team All-State three of her four seasons there. She was the Most Valuable Player in the All-Star game her senior year and was awarded a Wendy’s High School Heisman. The same year, her school crowned prom queen.
“Lots of people wouldn’t think that about me because they just know me for basketball,” said Barber. Last year she coached the Lady Demons to a 13-12 record, a notable improvement from the previous season’s record of 3-21.
Aside from her important role as recruiter, Barber coaches the ‘Pack guards on drills and offers advice from her experience at the position.
In her first two seasons, ‘Pack guard and mass communication senior Kiely Schork played against Barber and even made a Loyola record for the most three-pointers by burying nine in a single game against Mobile.
“I enjoyed playing against her despite her breaking the record against us,” said Barber when asked about the game.
Schork said the team has already developed a close relationship with their new assistant coach, who often takes players out to lunch.
“It’s kind of weird because I was playing against her, and now she’s my coach. But I respect her so much that I would listen to any advice she gives,” Schork said.
This season the ‘Pack will play Mobile at least twice.
“Obviously (the matchup) will come with some emotion. I have a good relationship with my (former) coach, but obviously my commitment now is to Loyola University.”
Barber still remains close friends with the Lady Rams head coach Martha Gore-Algernon.
She graduated Mobile with a bachelor’s in human performance and exercise science emphasizing education. This qualified her to teach physical education at a high school level, but more importantly, it helped her pursue her true dream of coaching basketball.
“I had no idea that my dreams would come true this quick – I thought it would take me 10 years,” she said.
Plaisance said Barber has an outstanding demeanor with people and her passion and wealth of knowledge on the sport will make her an excellent ambassador as the head recruiter of the women’s program.
Already Barber is on the road hunting for potential talent. On Oct. 9, Barber met with coaches and an athlete at McGill-Toolen Catholic High School. The potential recruit is also being scouted by the University of Alabama and Auburn University of Division I’s prestigious Southeastern Conference.
Contact Info:Steve Heath can be reached at [email protected].
