North Dakota Sports Family: The Jacobson Legacy

Mother Pat and daughter Sarah are two of the best in the history of high school girls basketball in the state of North Dakota tallying over 4000 points combined.

But their relationship is more than just layups, jump shots and success on the court.

“I unfortunately am the expert rebounder. They don’t really give me a chance to work on my shot anymore. Passing has become my thing,” says mom Pat Jacobson.

Rebounding, cheering and passing is what the second leading scorer in NDSU women’s hoops history is up to these days, but it’s all about to benefit her daughter Sarah, who is in the midst of historic success–success that was noticeable early on in life. .

“She had a lot of drive and a lot of passion at a very young age,” says Pat. “I remember her playing Y-ball in first grade and just completely dominating. In sixth grade she had to play sixth grade ball because they weren’t able to be moved up, and she would always leave the game disappointed because she didn’t get to play very much because she didn’t let the opponent cross half court.”

As the years went by, Sarah’s talent maybe snuck up on her mom a little bit, and the one on one games in the driveway became a rare occurrence.

“We stopped before that happened. One, because she hates to lose and because she said she was getting too old to play so we would stop and she would just rebound for me, or my brother would play me,” said Pat’s daughter, Sarah.

“There’s some truth to that,” Pat says with a laugh. “I don’t like to lose. And my age is catching up with me.”

Don’t let the competitive nature of these two women fool you, though.

Their relationship is stronger than ever as Sarah prepares to take home one more state championship and embark on her college career…wearing the same green and gold that her mother did.

But at the end of the day, these two are just like any other mother and daughter…teaching and learning as life progresses.

“She’s been my rock. I think everything that I have done, I can attribute to her and obviously God because I wouldn’t be here without him. She’s always been there to support me, to help me through adversity, and to celebrate success. I have a great relationship with her and I hope to continue that going forward but she has been a huge influence and role model in my life and I look up to that,” said Sarah.

“It’s going to be different that empty nest. Even though she is 12 miles away, she’s on her own. It will be an adjustment for me because they have been such a significant part of my life. I always said I teach, but the most important job I have is being a mother and I’ve prided myself on that,” said Pat.

In the Red River Valley, it doesn’t get any better than the Jacobsons.

Sarah is the only member of the family not to take home a Ms. or Mr. Basketball.

Pat and Sarah’s brother, NDSU star AJ, have taken home the annual awards.

I’m sure everybody in the that house in hoping for a triple crown this year.