LAND O' LAKES - Jackie Laihinen had her aha moment on a basketball court.

The court is where the Academy at the Lakes senior discovered herself.

"It just kind of clicked and all fell into place," Jackie said. "I just kind felt like, oh, this is for me.

"Its just the rush of adrenaline I get from it when I go up the court and you make a shot, you just want to keep going and going."

It's easy to keep going and going when you’re hard to stop.

"Jackie’s exactly what you want in a player," AATL Athletic Director/Girls Basketball Coach Tom Haslam said. "She works hard, she’s reliable. She shows up every day."

Jackie discovered her love of hoops at the age of five.

"I have two older brothers and they both played basketball, so I grew up playing basketball with them," she said.

Soon Jackie established her own hoops identity. And then she started pouring in the points. Academy at the Lakes leading scorer has a penchant for finding the hoop.

"It feels good," she said. "It just feels like I’ve accomplished so much. It’s a good feeling."

Jackie carries over the feel goods into the classroom where she puts up big numbers as well. Life is all about balance and Jackie’s found a way to excel in the classroom and on the court. She manages to maintain a high GPA (3.86) and a high scoring average (18 ppg).

"A lot of late nights," she said. "Studying on the bus, getting sleep on the bus too."

Jackie’s become a master multitasker.

"Only an athlete can understand how demanding it is for an athlete to get all that done at a demanding, high level academic school," Haslam said. "And she makes it look easy."

She makes it look very easy on the court too. As the only senior on the team, she developed her own style of leadership.

"She’s quiet," Haslam said. "She’s like do as I do, not as I say. Jackie’s that kind of person. She leads by her actions and how she carries herself every day.

"She’s all about team, more so than self."

Jackie and the Wildcats have already won twice as many games as they did last year. Coach Haslam credits his leading scorer for that.

"If you’ve got a good senior leader or two and they’re also your best players, you have a successful season," he said.

It’s a winning foundation Jackie’s help build. A winning legacy she’ll leave for her younger teammates.

"The future looks bright," Haslam said. "Jackie’s going to be the one that planted the seed so we can enjoy the shade one day."