Girls basketball goes 3-0 to start the season

After taking the ball down the court, Jami Mans ’22 looks to make a pass past a Superior defender. Mans is averaging the most assists per game (4.3) and the third-most rebounds per game (6.7) for the Jeffs. Photo by Ericka Kroeker

A down-to-the-wire 38-36 victory against Superior on Tuesday, Dec. 8 brought the girls basketball team to a 3-0 record early in the season. The other two wins came back-to-back on Friday, Dec. 4 and Saturday, Dec. 5 on the road against Freeman and Fillmore Central respectively.

The season opener against Freeman saw the Jeffs in control, coming out on top 33-13. Five different players contributed to the point total with Alissa York ’22 coming off the bench to drain 3 three-pointers and lead the scoring with 9 points. This aspect of the game, among others, had been touched upon often in the practices leading up to competition.

“We have been working on our perimeter shots and being well-conditioned for our games,” Ellie Ohlde ’21, who made two shots from beyond the arc against the Falcons, said. “I feel like Freeman was a great season opener — it felt great to start our season off with a win.”

Hannah Robertson ’23 pushes the ball down the floor with pressure from a Superior player. Robertson has averaged 5.3 points per game thus far, with a season high of 9 against Fillmore Central. Photo by Ericka Kroeker

The 35-33 win over Fillmore Central did not come as easily. The Jeffs pulled through with double-digit scoring from Jordan Tracy ’21 (10) as well as rebounding (14), and point guard Jami Mans ’22 had 11 rebounds, 5 points and 3 assists of her own. Another close victory came against Superior after Fairbury trailed by 12 at halftime. Producing offensively were Ohlde (12), Karly McCord ’22 (10), Mans (9) and Tracy (7).

“It is always a thriller when you play games that are that close,” McCord said. “I hope we continue winning and working really hard. Coach [Lyle Thompson] told us we have the heart and drive to win every game, and I can’t wait to see that continue to happen as we go. I think we can go very far this season as long as we keep working together like we have been.”

The Jeffs travel to Milford on Friday, Dec. 11 to take on the 1-0 Eagles (whose lone game was a 53-48 victory over Fillmore Central) before returning home the following day to face Thayer Central (1-1).