About Higher Learning Hoops
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Shennette Sparkes
Shennette Sparkes, CEO and Founder of Higher Learning, also known as Coach Sparkes, originates from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. A standout athlete in high school, she excelled in basketball at St. Thomas Aquinas High School, earning honorable mentions and MVP titles. Sparkes’ talents took her to the University of North Florida, where she shined in the Atlantic Sun Conference, despite facing a challenging diagnosis of two types of Lupus in 2008. Transitioning from a semi-professional basketball career with the Orlando Extreme, Sparkes found her calling in coaching, leading various teams, including the South East United AAU Program and roles at Potters House Christian Academy, Paxon High School, and Ribault High School, among others.
Apart from her coaching career, Sparkes is a loving wife, homeschool mom, mentor, author of three books, and an active church and community member. She serves on the UNF Alumni Board, founded the First Coast Lupus Fight, co-founded the UNF Black Alumni Association, and directs the Jacksonville 95ers Jr. TBL league. Her contributions have earned her significant accolades, including the 2017 Powerful In Pink award and the 2018 News 4 Jax Positively Jax Awards.
Follow her journey on social media at @_shennettesparkes.
Germaine Sparkes
Germaine Sparkes, Treasurer and the Head Skills Trainer, is a dedicated husband and father with a notable background as a collegiate basketball player. At the University of North Florida, he earned a Division 1 scholarship, achieving an Honorable Mention as a freshman and setting records in games played, steals, minutes, and rebounds. His high school career was marked by first team all-state honors in Georgia, the 3A Player of the Year award, and a senior year trip to the state final four.
Post-college, Sparkes coached AAU basketball with teams like the Jacksonville Lee Bulls and the Predators, and later served as an assistant and JV head coach at Paxon High School. Under his guidance, the program won multiple district championships and made significant state final four appearances. He has been instrumental in developing several Division 1 and 2 scholarship athletes, including the 2020 Florida Dairy Farms Player of the Year.
Currently, Sparkes offers skill training and mentorship in Jacksonville and serves as the Assistant Chaplain for the Jacksonville 95ers in the TBL.