Bio

Rhonda Denise (Hickman) Scott

Mississippi Gulf Coast Junior College (1984-1986) / Basketball, Softball
Wiggins, Mississippi

If the Women’s National Basketball Association were around in the late 1980s, many think Rhonda Hickman Scott would’ve played in the league.

“I would’ve loved to play in the pros,” Hickman says.” If they would’ve had it, I don’t know if I would’ve made it, but I would’ve tried.”

The Wiggins native was an Mississippi Association of Junior Colleges All-State selection in 1986 with basketball, and in her two years at Gulf Coast, she averaged 13.8 points per game. Her first glimpse of greatness came during the 1984-85 season when she routinely poured in more than 20 points. “The 3-point line came out in my freshman year,” Hickman says. “I loved it. Although I scored a lot, I always try to be a team player. No matter who’s out there, it always takes five to win.”

As the only starter returning in 1986, she averaged 25 points per game and was named to the All-State team. She went on to have a stellar career on the court at the University of West Florida. At one point she held 12 UWF season and career records, including total career points (1,368), most points in a season (478), points per game (21.7), steals (78) and steals per game (3.5). “Basketball was a way for me to pay for college, and play one of the games I love,” said Hickman.

She also loved playing softball, especially at Perk. In 1985, the Lady Bulldogs went 25-8 overall. Hickman earned All-State and National Junior College Athletic Association All-Region 23 honors during that campaign. A year later, she helped the Lady Bulldogs win the state and Region 23 championships by getting hot offensively in the postseason and playing strong defense. During the state tournament, Gulf Coast went 4-1, with Hickman batting .690 in those five games. That squad also finished fifth in the national tournament under the leadership of head coach Doris “Blackie” Smith. The Lady Bulldogs went 4-2 in the national tournament, with Hickman going 5-for-9 at the plate. Once again, Hickman earned All-State and All-Region 23 honors.

“Winning the state championship was a big deal,” she says. “Both years our regular-season records weren’t that good, but we kept getting hot at the right time. We played slow-pitch softball back then, but I would’ve love to play fast-pitch. I never got a chance to steal bases.”

After graduating from West Florida, Hickman moved to North Carolina, married and started her career in physical therapy. She’s now an administrator with Rehab Works, a Florida-based company.