Basketball has held a strong importance in SC4 freshman Jenna Stauffer’s household since she was a child.

Her sisters and mother played basketball through college, and her high school basketball coach was her best friend’s father.

"I love the game," she said.

Stauffer is a guard/forward on the SC4 women’s basketball team this year, continuing her love of the sport.

But Stauffer almost didn't come to SC4, as she was considering going straight to a four-year university. A visit during her senior year at Sandusky High School by SC4 women's basketball Coach Carrie Lohr made her realize she could continue playing the sport.

"Why not go here for two years and get the same schooling as a university," she said. "I didn't want my basketball career to be over."

Today, the Sandusky native shares an apartment in Port Huron. Stauffer immediately realized the differences between high school and collegiate basketball.

"In high school, we had two weeks of practice before we started playing our games," she said. "Here, we had three months of practice."

The first month was spent on conditioning and getting into shape to play basketball at a higher level. The game is faster than what she's used to, but she said it's a fun experience. Most team members are freshmen, and the first few months were a good opportunity to learn how to play together.

"I think we're coming together well," she said.

The team also works well off court. Stauffer said the team meets weekly in the Library to do homework together. She said the older athletes help their newer teammates.

Stauffer dual-enrolled at SC4 during her senior year of high school, something she said helped her with the transition to college.

During her time at Sandusky High School, Stauffer was active in numerous clubs, athletics and extracurricular activities. At SC4, Stauffer has had to refine the time management skills she learned in high school and apply them to balancing college homework and basketball team.

"School is the most important thing," she said. She said students who want to get more involved should work together when possible, such as in study groups.

"Make it easy on yourself," she said. "If you have a question, they probably have a question, too."

After SC4, Stauffer plans to transfer to Central Michigan University and pursue a career in speech pathology. Her goal is to work either with speech impediments in young children or in rehabilitating the speaking ability of trauma patients.