by By Dan Ninham
Jordan Joe, 17, Navajo, plays basketball and volleyball at Gallup HS, Gallup, NM.
She is a basketball First Team All State and All District member. Her team are the 2021 New Mexico 4A state champions. She is also a member of the NABI champions in 2019 and 2021.
Jordan was named the 2021 New Mexico Volleyball 4A District Player of the Year as well as second team All State as a middle blocker. The team were 2021 District champions.
“I wanted to quit this year and focus on school but, I decided to keep playing,” said Jordan. “My parents divorced and to help me cope with it I went vegan and focused on sports. Injuries also have stopped me from playing, but I just had to heal and cheer on my team.”
“Having many games within a short amount of time has made me physically and emotionally tired but, after all of it I had many accomplishments,” added Jordan.
“When things get hard, stop for a while and look at how far you come and it’s ok to stop and rest for a bit,” said Jordan. “If you don’t put in the work you won’t get the results you want, so work hard and never give up so you can accomplish the dream you have been chasing.”
Todd McBroom was Jordan’s high-school basketball coach. She said: “He taught me how to play defense and how to play the game very well, and he was my coach since eighth grade year.”
“Jordan is a great competitor,” said Todd McBroom. “She has a really great set of skills. She can play inside and outside and is a matchup nightmare for other teams. Jordan is a great team player and enjoys making great passes just as much as she does scoring.”
“She is a very complete player on both ends of the floor and can really come through in tight games. Jordan has hit numerous clutch shots in tight games on the offensive end and can grab key rebounds and gets timely blocks when we need them on the defensive end,” added Todd.
Coach Todd McBroom also said: “Jordan is not just a great basketball player but a great student in the classroom. She is very intelligent and has made the all-academic team every year.”
Lorena Morris was her high school volleyball coach. ”She helped me learn the basics of volleyball and taught me how to play the game very well. Very supportive of me and encouraged me.”
Coach Lorena Morris shared her positive words about her star athlete: “If there is one word to describe Jordan Joe, it would be exemplary. Jordan has been a great asset to the Lady Bengal Volleyball program for the past five years. Jordan is a natural born leader and athlete. She has been playing varsity volleyball since eighth grade and has improved greatly, year after year.”
“She has been the team captain for the past three years and has motivated, encouraged and led her team to a first ever district title for Gallup High as well two state appearances within her high school career. The last time the Bengals made it to the State playoffs was back in 2011. She has numerous achievements to add to her volleyball resume, which includes player of the year for district 1-4A, first team all-district, all-state honorable mention, all-district academic team and the last three years, and the Navajo Times sports fall athlete.”
“She’s a very dedicated athlete who gives her all on the court and in the classroom. To young athletes in the area, often times she is seen as a sports idol which comes with it certain obligations and responsibilities but to Jordan, it’s not work but an opportunity. It’s not easy being in the spotlight but she does it with ease and gratitude.”
“With sports, it has given her many opportunities to expand her horizon which will definitely help her at the next level. As her volleyball coach, watching her grow into the young lady she is today, all I can say is that I’m very proud of her. She will go on to do great things, which hopefully one day she can give back to the kids whom she inspired, to become athletes just like her.”
AAU coach Eric Benedick helped Jordan develop and fine tune her skills. Jordan said, “He gave me motivation to be the best.”
“I’ve been fortunate to coach Jordan since her eighth grade year, so to her see grow into the accomplished athlete she’s become has been amazing to witness,” said Eric Benedick. “She’s a free spirit, and that reflects in how she competes in both volleyball and basketball, with a passion that flows and an energy that allows her to connect with her teammates.”
“Success has allowed her confidence to grow, and she isn’t afraid at all to shine when the big moment is at hand and the bright lights are on. She never feared facing bigger or stronger competition when she was young, and that has translated to her having the success she is having now as a rising senior,” added Coach Eric.
“Mike Butkovich helped me get stronger and faster by weightlifting,” said Jordan. “He always supported, encouraged, and motivated me. Even though he yells sometimes it’s a reminder why I work my butt off and why I do my best.”
“Jordan is a student of the game of basketball and has skills such as shooting, passing and ball handling,” said Mike Butkovich. “She is also a great team player who is easy to coach. She is a really good player. She utilized her brain as well as her excellent footwork.”
“My dad Randall Joe is the reason why I play basketball,” said Jordan. “He has been teaching me to play since I was five years old. He taught me the basics and also why I play my best.”
Like father like daughter as the saying should go. Jordan is on her way in her athletic journey to higher places.
Photo Credit: Del Ray Photography
