GIRLS’ BASKETBALL — The 2022-23 JWP girls’ basketball team. Front from left: Lilly Strauss, Ava Appel, Ali Olson, Lily Quast, Kwynn Krause, Katelyn Olson, Nevaeh Weimert, Faith Olson, Brielle Bure, Mikayla Wheelock, Onikia Herme and Lillian Ewert. Back: head coach Cory Jans, Aubrey Adams, Alexis Dahlberg, Hope Dimmel, Madeline Hoehn, Presley James, Paige Walz, Claire Walz, Autumn Thissen, Caitlin Kleve, assistant coach Jeff Kuball and assistant coach Brandon Goebel.
JWP basketball girls look to make another positive step
JWP Winter Sports Preview 2022
JWP Winter Sports Preview 2022
Sat, 12/31/2022 - 4:56pm
The JWP girls’ basketball team is ready to put the past two seasons behind them and look forward to a year where Covid 19 is no longer a potential concern. Third-year head coach Cory Jans is looking to also improve on his 10-33 career record.
2021-22 season
After a 2-13 debut for Jans in 2020-21, the girls were much improved last year. The change to the Gopher Conference didn’t affect their performance at all. It was still a tougher season with an 8-20 record (2-14 in-conference), but the girls nearly had a winning record in their section, going 3-4 on the year.
The season included a 56-51 upset at New Ulm Cathedral in the first round of sub-section; JWP lost to the Greyhounds earlier in the season 53-29. The season ended with a 80-37 loss to Sleepy Eye St. Mary’s, who ranked No. 5 in Class A at the end of the year.
The 8-20 record was a trend in the right direction.
Key returnees and loss
This year’s team will be returning a lot of varsity athletes: Faith Olson, Alison Olson, Lexie Dahlberg, Caitlin Kleve, Lilly Strauss, Claire Walz, and Katie Olson.
Katie Olson, an eighth-grader last year, joined the varsity in midseason and was a pleasant surprise, constantly leading the Bulldogs in points scored and other stats. Her efforts earned her an all-conference honorable mention and offensive MVP.
Sophomore Lilly Strauss was voted defensive MVP last year.
Seniors Reagan Berndt and Claire Adams are two losses to the team. Adams was team MVP last season.
Expectations
Coach Jans’ expectation of this team is simple. “I want this team to get better every week,” he says. “We have a whole season to get to our best come playoff time.”
Strengths and weaknesses
This year’s team is especially athletic, according to Jans. “We’re quick on our feet,” he says. The team’s speed will be relied upon throughout the season.
Jans notes the weakness of this year’s team is size. While the team has a few players on the roster that are 5-foot-8 and taller, the team average is a few inches shorter. Jans is hopeful that the team can overcome playing against taller teams by using their strengths.
Keys to success
The key to this team’s success this year is developing chemistry. “We’re working on playing as a team every practice,” Jans explains.
Another thing Jans wants the team to work on is transitioning on both ends of the court. “That’s something we are working on a lot this year. If we move well on offense and defense, we can eliminate breakaway opportunities while having more scoring chances on offense.”
Physicality was a final key to success noted by Jans.
Favorites
Coach Jans believes Hayfield - will be the conference favorite. Sleepy Eye and Sleepy Eye St. Mary’s are the section favorites.
2022-23 JWP Girls’ Basketball
Nov. 29 New Ulm Cathedral 7:15
Dec. 2 at Waseca 7:30
Dec. 6 at Medford 7:15
Dec. 9 Bethlehem Academy 7:15
Dec. 13 at Lester Prairie 6:00
Dec. 15 Cleveland 7:15
Dec. 16 at Hayfield 7:15
Dec. 20 at NRHEG 7:15
Dec. 29 at TCU Invitational TBA
Dec. 30 at TCU Invitational TBA
Jan. 3 Mankato Loyola 6:00
Jan. 6 United South Central 7:15
Jan. 10 at WEM 7:15
Jan. 13 at Maple River 7:15
Jan. 17 Medford 7:15
Jan. 20 Blooming Prairie 7:15
Jan. 24 NRHEG 7:15
Jan. 27 at Kenyon-Wanamingo 7:15
Jan. 30 Nicollet 7:15
Jan. 31 at United South Central 7:15
Feb 2 Triton 7:15
Feb. 6 at Sibley East 7:30
Feb. 14 Maple River 7:15
Feb. 16 Madelia 7:00
Feb. 18 Conference championship, West Division at East Division champion