Chevie Sharpe Signs With John Wood CC Women’s Basketball

By David Sharp

Highland senior Chevie Sharpe followed her heart when she chose John Wood Community College to continue her academic and athletic career. The Lady Cougar district champion basketball player signed a National Letter of Intent to attend John Wood CC and play basketball in an April 17, 2026 scholarship signing ceremony at Highland High School.

The move was a surprise to many area sports fans. Chevie Sharpe is currently in the middle of her senior season as a star track and field athlete. Sharpe recently set a new school record on the track.

She won a Track and Field State Championship last season along with numerous gold medal finishes in the 4x800m relay, the girls’ 400, 800 and 1600 meter running events.

Chevie Sharpe was a key member of the 2026 Highland Lady Cougars basketball team. Her defensive prowess was better known to college and opposing high school coaches than most casual fans.

Among her basketball skills is three point shooting prowess. Highland scored many points inside the paint as do most successful basketball teams. Chevie Sharpe’s presence on the court made opposing teams think twice before packing the lane defensively.

If they employed that strategy against a very potent interior group, Sharpe would set up along the three point line somewhere and make herself available for open three point attempts.

Women’s College basketball teams often have inside players that are 6’2” and taller. Having players who can shoot teams out of zone defenses along with guard on the other end of the court are sought after commodities.

“She had the option to probably go run track if she wanted to,” Lady Trail Blazer Women’s Basketball Coach Kelly Koetters said. “She is a great athlete. I am super excited that she picked basketball. She is just an athlete,” Coach Koetters said in response to a reporter’s question about what induced her to recruit Chevie Sharpe.

“”She is just all over the place. She can shoot the ball. She can apply that pressure on the defensive end,” Coach Koetters said. “She is super quick with that speed. That’s what really drew me.”

“I had seen her shoot the ball, knowing she would be a threat for us from the perimeter.”

Highland won 20 girls basketball games or more in each of the last two seasons. The Lady Cougars won the Monroe City, Highland, Palmyra and Class 3 District tournament in the 2025-26 season. Top ranked St. Louis Principia High School ended the Lady Cougar season in a historic Sectional Championship game.

Lady Cougar head girls basketball Coach Ashton Jaco offered the following comments on Chevie Sharpe taking her skills to John Wood CC for the 2026- 27 College Women’s Basketball season.

“Impact is a term that is thrown around a lot,” Ashton Jaco told the Edina Sentinel and Lewis County Star. “Her ability to defend. Her speed, her quickness was who we would have guarding other team’s best player.”

“She really has a knack for face guarding players. She just took that and ran with it,” Coach Jaco said. “Her ability to stretch the floor and hit open shots and to do it in big games.”

“She shot 46% from three in our championship games is phenomenal. Obviously she has made a big an impact in those games and on our program,” Ashton Jaco said. “The longer lasting impact of how great pf a teammate she was.”

“How hard she worked. I didn’t have to question Chevie’s attitude. Her effort. Her energy. She just showed up and did all those things she was supposed to do. Just willing to do whatever the team needed.”

“I think that impact and the selflessness she has shown to her teammates is something I am going to remember. Her other coaches will remember. Her teammates will remember.”

“That’s ultimately the kind of people we want in our program,” Ashton Jaco said. “She has been that for us. Moving forward, I have no doubt she will be all that for John Wood like she has been for Highland girls’ Basketball.”

Chevie Sharpe is the daughter of Brad and Heather Sharpe of Lewistown, Mo.

Chevie Sharpe offered her comments after making her college choice official. She answered the question of why she chose basketball as her next level sport.

“As much as I love track, I love basketball a lot too,” Chevie Sharpe said. “That’s been a part of my life, even when I was younger. Just to play at the next level is awesome. I am very excited to do that.”

“You just have to work hard and play good defense,” Sharpe said when asked how she developed into the defensive standout Chevie Sharpe has become. “It’s just one of my favorite things.”

“Chevie Sharpe told the Edina Sentinel and Lewis County Star that she planned to study Business Management in college. “I want to become an Insurance and Real Estate Agent. I hope to work alongside my Dad.”

“I am excited.” Chevie Sharpe said she planned to play basketball for two years at the Junior College level. “And after that, I am done with (basketball),”