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Local Flavor

Jamestown Community College Roster Filled With Familiar Faces

Pictured above is the 2019-20 Jamestown Community College women’s basketball team. Kneeling in front, from left, are Katelyn Bennett, Abi Lisciandro, Gabby Iuculano and Kayla Hohl. In the middle row are Marisa Schuppenhauer, Karianne Yuchnitz, Macey Lundmark and Katelyn Fardink. In the back row are Courtney Hemminger, Izzy Bursch, Jesse Zenns, Sophia DeMarco and Linnea Jimerson. Submitted photo

There will be no shortage of fresh faces lining the bench of the Jamestown Community College women’s basketball team this season, but head coach Travis Wells is excited about that.

Fans of local high school basketball should recognize most, if not all, of the nine freshmen who the Jayhawks have added to the ranks, as well as one first-year sophomore.

After spending a season at Daemen College, Pine Valley Central School graduate Kayla Hohl will spend her sophomore year as a Jayhawk, joining returnees Izzy Bursch, Katelyn Bennett and Jesse Zenns.

“We started practice on October first, and that is a lot of teaching. A lot of new faces this year,” said Wells. “It’s incredible the job the coaches do around here. To have the kids from Panama, Maple Grove, Frewsburg, Jamestown. All of those guys do a wonderful job. To have a place where the kids can showcase there talents locally at the junior college level is just great.”

The group will have their work cut out for them, replacing a talented group of five sophomores from last year’s 19-10 season.

Last March, the Jayhawks’ campaign came to an end with a 81-50 loss to Niagara County CC in the NJCAA Region 3 Division II Tournament semifinal.

Key among those players from last year’s squad were Alexis Rodenbaugh, Haley Hettenbaugh and Olivia Lynn.

“I know how great those five sophomores really were. Those kids logged a ton of minutes and they played their hearts out. Having sophomores is just like a security blanket. They have been through it and know what to do. I couldn’t have been happier with them. Niagara (County CC) was just really good last year.”

Lynn was as hard a worker as any for the Jayhawks last year in the post, and now it will be Zenns’ turn to step into that position on a night-by-night basis.

“We are going to need Jess to give us a prescence in the post,” said Wells. “Jesse has got decent size. There aren’t going to be too many posts who are too much taller than her. Matchup-wise, we should be good with Jesse there. That is going to be our game plan — play some small ball and get some shots from Jesse there.”

When it comes to moving the ball, Wells will be looking to Hohl, as well as freshman guards Gabby Iuculano (Jamestown/Frewsburg) and Abi Lisciandro (Panama/Panama).

“We’ve been blessed this year because we have Abi Lisciandro from Panama, and Gabby Iuculano from Frewsburg, so we have two of the best guards right there. When they gain the trust of their teammates, they will realize they don’t have to do everything now.”

Jamestown CC will also have Karianne Yuchnitz (Panama/Panama), Katelyn Fardink (Ashville/Chautauqua Lake), Sophia DeMarco (Westfield/Westfield), Marisa Schuppenhauer (Jamestown/Maple Grove), Linnea Jimerson (Great Valley/Ellicottville), Macey Lundmark (Jamestown/Jamestown) and Courtney Hemminger (Dewitville/Maple Grove) on the team for the first time this season.

“This is probably the deepest team, 1 through 13, that we have had. Just being able to trust in all the kids is incredible. You feel good throwing anyone out there at any time,” said Wells.

The Jayhawks will spend a large portion of their early season on the road, including Saturday’s opener at the SUNY Broome Community College Crossover Classic.

With so many strong local players now on the same roster, there could be some growing pains as the Jayhawks look to come together.

“It will be challenge. Some kids are used to being on the floor for 40 minutes, and it’s not going to happen. There is too much talent,” said Wells. “It’s just finding the rotation and getting minutes for everyone. We try to stress that it is a marathon and not a sprint. We want to be playing our best basketball in March. We just have to keep moving forward because it’s such a long grind.”

Jamestown CC will have its first home game on Tuesday, Nov. 19 at 5 p.m. against Pitt-Titusville at the Physical Education Complex.

SCHEDULE

Nov. 2: SUNY Broome CC at Crossover Classic, 4 p.m.

Nov. 3: Corning CC at Crossover Classic 12 p.m.

Nov. 7: at Pitt-Titusville, 5 p.m.

Nov. 17: at Montgomery College, 3 p.m.

Nov. 19: Pitt-Titusville, 5 p.m.

Nov. 23: Cuyahoga CC, 1 p.m.

Dec. 2: Lorain CC, 5 p.m.

Dec. 4: at Butler CC, 5 p.m.

Dec. 13: at Columbus State CC, 5:30 p.m.

Dec. 14: at Sinclair CC, 1 p.m.

Dec. 16: Villa Maria, 5 p.m.

Dec. 18: at Lorain CC, 5 p.m.

Jan. 8: Butler CC, 5 p.m.

Jan. 18: Sullivan CC, 1 p.m.

Jan. 22: Erie CC, 5:30 p.m.

Jan. 25: at Niagara CC, 1 p.m.

Jan. 29: Mercyhurst North East, 5:30 p.m.

Feb. 3: at Villa Maria, 6 p.m.

Feb. 5: at Genesee CC, 5:30 p.m.

Feb. 8: at Erie CC, 1 p.m.

Feb. 12: Niagara CC, 5:30 p.m.

Feb. 15: at Mercyhurst North East, 1 p.m.

Feb. 22: Genesee CC, 1 p.m.

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