Cole (then Cox) played basketball at Noblesville (Indiana) High School, where she led the Millers to three straight IHSAA State Finals appearances, highlighted by a state title in 1987 and a state runner-up finish in 1988.
She won the Dial Award for the American high-school athlete/scholar of the year in 1988, and, in 1989, was named to USA Todays All-USA high school girls basketball team,[REF] and to Parade Magazines All-American team.