Head Coach John “Jake” Jacobsen said this season with the eighth-grade basketball team was one of the most enjoyable seasons he’s ever had as a coach.
“We went 17-5 and we’re not done playing yet,” said Jacobsen, adding that his team will play in a tournament on April 20 in Grand Rapids. That will make five tournaments in one season, a lot for eighth grade.
“We have been replicating the varsity. A lot of these girls will play varsity next year and we have been getting them ready,” said Jacobsen.
“We have a very talented, very motivated group of eighth-grade girls that are a pleasure to coach,” he added.
Although they are competitive, Jacobsen said his team’s positive attitude and good sportsmanship on the court makes him proud to be their coach.
“We had one tournament where the other team started playing very chippy basketball. Our kids didn’t retaliate; they played clean ball and helped their opponents up off the floor when they fell. The opposing coach was asked to leave during the game because of the way he coached. Afterward parents from the opposing team came and thanked our kids for their good sportsmanship. The referees also came over and said the kids had a lot of class. It was my proudest moment all year as a coach,” Jacobsen said.
“I have to give the parents a lot of credit. They have backed us the whole year. They schedule hair appointments, dentist and doctor appointments around practice and games. They have been very supportive of the program.”
Although the season has been long, Jacobsen said his kids have remained upbeat. “They’ve played a lot of games but that’s the way you learn. They have seen pretty much every kind of defense and offense and they have learned to adjust their style of play. This will be invaluable to them as they advance to the next level,” he said.
Next year Jacobsen will move up with the kids to assist Head Coach Todd Toulouse with the varsity girls’ team.
When asked how his team achieved so many wins Jacobsen was quick to point out that he has a group of very talented athletes who are also highly motivated and work well together.
“They like to play defense. Defense is key to everything. We employ pressure man-to-man in the half court or put on a full court press, or a hybrid of those combinations.”
He said Molly Thomas puts enormous pressure on the ball handler coming up the court. “Molly causes a lot of turnovers. She’s so quick and has fast feet and fast hands and is really determined.
“Hannah and Sarah Toftey are also really good defenders; Bailey Cox is quick and smooth and fun to watch. Tarin Hanson is physically very strong and creates a lot of mismatches. Zoey Anderson is also physically strong and a natural leader. Maranda and Mariah Deschampe can play any position. They can do everything well. Emily, my daughter, is a good rebounder, good defender. Essance Haines has a lot of ability and saw some varsity action this year.
“By the time these girls are sophomores they should be very good. If we can keep even eight of them together by the time they’re seniors they could be a special, special group,” Jacobsen said.
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