JWP girls put up 76 in home opener

The JWP girls’ basketball team went 1-1 last week against Gopher Conference opponents. After taking a 57-49 loss on the road at Medford, they had one of their best offensive performances under coach Cory Jans in their home opener against Bethlehem Academy Friday, Dec. 9, winning 76-58.

Medford 57, Bulldogs 49

It was a battle to the end. But just as JWP found it difficult to stop Waseca’s Kloe Wadd last week, one Medford player had a 33-point night: Andrea Bock. Her performance ultimately gave Medford the victory.

“She had a great night against us,”  Jans commented. “We just couldn’t find a way to contain her on defense.”

Despite Bock’s night, the Bulldogs kept it close. Freshman Katie Olson, sophomore Presley James and senior Faith Olson turned in double-digit numbers on offense. But it wasn’t enough.

“I talked to the girls about cleaning up some areas of the game like our defense,” Jans said. “That way, we’re in better positions to be successful.”

Individually: Katie Olson, 12 points; Kwynn Krause, 2 points; James, 10 points; Faith Olson, 10 points; Lilly Strauss, 5 points; Alison Olson, 3 points; Paige Walz, 6 points; Lexie Dahlberg, 1 point.

Bulldogs 76, Cardinals 58

It was evident the Bulldogs were willing to do anything to get their first win of the season the second they hit the court for their home opener. 

The Bulldogs tied their best offensive performance since Jans started coaching the team in 2020-21.

“I loved watching the intensity and hustle throughout the game,” Jans said. “The girls knew how close things had been with the first two losses of the season. We were very hungry for our first win of the season.”

Within two minutes, they scored 14 points before the Cardinals called a timeout. The closest BA got was 43-34 at halftime.

Senior Faith Olson scored 20 points, 18 on three-pointers. Olson’s performance helped her win the Bulldog Player of the Week award.

Olson’s sister, Alison, scored 10 and was praised for her defense along with freshman Nevaeh Weimert and Strauss.

“They do have good chemistry together,” Jans said of the Olson sissters “But the team as a whole also has great chemistry.”

The Bulldogs have worked hard, according to Jans, learning to read situations and respond to different actions on the court.

“It also helps that we have players who are naturally aggressive and very hard workers. I’ve told them for a few weeks that they set the tone and energy for us on the floor.”

Individually: F. Olson, 20 points; K. Olson, 17 points; A. Olson, 13 points; P. Walz, 6 points; James, 5 points; Strauss, 5 points; Weimert, 4 points; Dahlberg, 4 points; C. Walz, 2 points.

The Bulldogs’ record moved to 1-1 in the conference and 1-2 overall.