78 Featured Athletes – Nicole Mendoza and Japeth Howell – Cordova High School

This week we return to Blue Devil Country, where we find two exceptional scholar-athletes in Nicole Mendoza and Japeth Howell. Both are two-sport athletes with over a 4.0 grade point average, and both say their favorite subject in school is math. 

Let’s meet them: 

Nicole Mendoza 

The daughter of Jonathan and Geofe Mendoza, Nicole plays shooting guard for the basketball team and outfield for the softball team at Cordova. She is coached by Randy Stracner in basketball and Brandon Millican in softball. 

After graduating in May 2023, Nicole plans to finish her general studies at Bevill State Community College, become a surgical tech, and later go back to school to become a physical therapist at UAB. 

She also participates in school activities such as SGA, National Honor Society, and Beta Club and has a 4.22 GPA. 

Japeth Howell 

Cordova junior Japeth Howell wants to become a sports journalist after he graduates college. For now, he is getting a good experience for that profession on the playing fields and courts in north-central Alabama. 

As guard/forward for the basketball team and third base/catcher for the baseball team, Japeth is always busy polishing his athletic skills. However, his pursuit of athletic excellence does not lead to neglecting his studies—he carries a 4.0 G.P.A. in the classroom as well. 

Japeth is the son of Michelle and Buster Howell. 

Let’s congratulate these outstanding student-athletes on their accomplishments! 78