BALTIMORE – It is something that Coppin State sophomore forward
Jordan Swails can't escape.
The presence and numbing voice of her mother and associate head coach
Billie Wilson is always there: After practice. After games. After classes. During trips to the mall. During phone calls.
They exchange high-fives, text messages, smiles, and affectionate hugs. Then there are those moments when Swails is on the receiving end of a stern scolding after an on-court mistake. There have been times while Wilson was forcibly delivering in-the-moment feedback during games that Swails had a blank look on her face wishing she was somewhere else.
"It is special having my mom as one of my college coaches," Swails said. "It was also a struggle too especially last year. It was hard. We're developing an understanding now that when I am on the court, I am your player. The way you talk to one of your players is not the same way you would talk to your daughter. She would nag, it wouldn't get to me that she was my coach. All I heard was my mom. She is learning how to separate the two. It was rough the first year and its better now."
Swails knew what she was getting into when she decided to continue her college career on a campus she grew up on. Since she was 3 years old, Swails spent countless hours inside of the old Coppin Center playing ball, being the ballgirl running around, doing homework, taking naps, eating and having fun.
It wasn't easy deciding to commit to Coppin State, but Swails hasn't regretted her decision. She knew there would be plenty of pressure on her. Wilson, in her 16th year at Coppin State, wanted Swails to be comfortable with her decision and what was best for her.
"It's been a blessing to finally see her and coach her on this level," Wilson said. "I never coached her after middle school. To see her come here and be an asset to the program while learning from some of the best coaches around in (head women's coach Derek) Brown and (assistant coach Sidney) Raikes and to see her being coached right is a blessing for the whole family."
Wilson is still learning to find the perfect balance to coach her daughter while treating her like one of the players. Brown, who understands this unique dynamic, and Raikes will get on Swails more than her. Brown then pulls Wilson to the side and shares what Swails is not doing and what he needs from her that's going to help the team.
"That is challenging," Wilson said. "A lot of players said to me that I am going to be too hard on her because I wanted her to be perfect. A lot of times, coach Brown and coach Raikes do a lot of the disciplining on the floor. It works better that way. Before, she would take it personally when I would talk to her on the floor and she would take it as if I was mom. She's progressed and adapted more. She doesn't let her emotions get the best of her anymore."
Nobody was prouder of Swails' career-high 16-point scoring effort in Monday's 81-54 victory over Delaware State than Wilson, who sported a smile as wide as the Chesapeake Bay following the game. Swails made 8-of-10 shots against DSU. Swails will play a vital role when Coppin State visits Maryland-Eastern Shore in a critical Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) road clash Saturday at 2 p.m.
Even though Swails may get upset with Wilson at times, she cherishes every moment that she's able to look on the bench at all of her games see her parents in the gym.
"She's my support system," Swails said. "Some people go to college in California and live in Maryland and they never get to see their parents or bring them to the game. My parents are right here with me. I have a privilege that some people will never have. I have the best of both worlds and I don't take it for granted."
Playing basketball is also something Swails appreciates especially after tearing both of her anterior cruciate ligaments in high school. She tore one prior to her sophomore year and the other two years later before her senior year. Swails has always played on top level AAU level teams like the Boo Williams Maryland squad, D.C. Heat and Fairfax Stars. She also attended Holy Cross High School, which is known to produce talented players.
Wilson burned gallons of gas shuttling Swails to and from her games. Now, Wilson is saving gas now as she has a front-row seat to consistently watch her pride-and-joy. Before injuring her ACL a second time, Swails was receiving plenty of interest from mid-major schools along with Villanova.
When Swails got hurt again, the scary thought of doubt crept into Swails' head while she was lying on the Georgetown University court withering in pain. Swails even admitted that she 'felt like it was no point of me playing basketball.' Fortunately for Swails, the same woman who would, at times, fuss and yell was right by her side providing a nurturing and comforting voice along with encouragement, support and love at a time when it appeared that Swails' hoop dreams would deflate.
"She was so down about it," Wilson said. "She was angry and blaming the world, including me. I tried to tell her that 'you came back from one, and you'll come back from this one.' She just kept saying, 'mom you never tore an ACL, you don't know how hard it is.' I did all I could by setting up her up with sports medicine surgeon, Dr. Tucker. He and his phenomenal crew did a great job getting her back on track. She pulled through and was determined to play Division I ball."
Swails is beginning to find her groove on the basketball court this season. She's shown bursts of brilliance during this season. She led Coppin State in rebounding with seven against Virginia. Swails had four assists and three steals against Towson. Swails scored nine points and grabbed seven rebounds against North Carolina. She had eight points Saturday in a loss to Hampton. In her last two games, Swails is averaging 12 points. Brown is also happy with Swails' recent performances.
"We coach Jordan like she's any other athlete in our program," Brown said. "I'll be honest; I expect more things out of Jordan. We're a little harder on her than usual, but that's just the way it goes. If I had a son playing right now or daughter on the team, I'd be harder on them than anybody else. We want her to round into a little better physical shape and get her mentally stronger. If we can do that, then we'll have a very nice player for the next couple of years."
Swails also has a unique perspective of the Coppin State program. She could be the unofficial historian because she was around the three MEAC championship and NCAA tournament teams. She is in the celebratory team photos that adorn the walls of the Coppin State women's basketball locker room.
Her motivation to help this special senior class (
Kyra Coleman,
Larrisa Carter and
Ashle Craig) end the season with a championship is stronger than ever. Some of those players from those title teams still dispense wisdom to the current group of Eagles.
"We talk about championships all the time," Swails said. "We know the team to beat. Everybody is hungry for it and our heart is huge. This year, we all want to grind. If one player is out, everybody is stepping up. The seniors really want a championship. This is what we've been working for. Everybody wants that championship ring and title. If we make it to the championship, let alone win it; that would be the best feeling in the world. Those championships came from players who were hungry and this team has that same hunger."
Swails and Wilson have an unbreakable bond and they are part of a close-knit family. Wilson's oldest daughter Christian earned her degree from Coppin State in urban arts last May. Christian sang classical music, preformed in shows and was the president of Coppin players. She performed background singer for R&B artist Howard Hewitt. Her younger brother, Brian, has attended Coppin State's tennis camps under coach
Diwani Lewis.
"Even though my mom has always been there for me, it was real hard to commit to Coppin State," Swails said. "It took me a long time to sign. When I finally told her that I was going to commit to Coppin, she was hyped and way more hyped than I was. She was smiling so hard in the office. It was like I was a different child. I didn't think I would be here at Coppin State at all. I was fortunate that coach Brown knew what I could do and he welcomed me with open arms."
Swails also receives a nice critique of her performance from her dad, Rowlen, who played basketball at California (Pa.).
"Jordan needs his view following games because I'm still in my coaches mode and can't talk right," Wilson said. "He's a great support for both us. It has come full circle. It means a lot to me to have Jordan here. Her grandparents are able to attend every game, get to see her grow up, be on the team and me coach a little bit."
