Polk County’s 2018-19 junior varsity girls basketball season proved memorable in both a positive and negative manner. 

The season included high points for captains Amy Chupp, who lead the team with 131 rebounds for the season, and Kaylin Jenkins, who lead the team in scoring with 111 points. The first half of the season went well with team shooting percentages around 35 percent. 

The JV Lady Wolverines only gave up an average of 25 points a game in the first nine games, including our two scrimmages. Much of this defensive effort came from Emily Prince, who led the team in steals with 53 steals in the 11 games she was able to play before breaking her ankle for the second time in two years. Prince also lead the team in assists (18 for the season) as she turned these steals into points at the other end of the court. 

As injuries started to plague the team, freshman players DeAsia Green, Sara Wilson and Julia Ridings were able to step up with increased vigor and gained experience in alternate positions. Multiple players became injured midway through the season with starter Alana Jergenson completely out by game seven. Jenkins and Dotson also suffered injuries preventing them from playing in a few games mid-to-end season. 

In the second half of the season, sophomores Jessie Emory and veteran player Savannah Parris took on multiple roles in several games as well. The deficit of healthy players certainly took its toll on the squad. In the last six games, the team gave up an average of 45 points a game, double the pre-injury rate. 

Injuries and all, the girls persevered to finish the season. They never gave up hustling. 

– Submitted by PolkSports.com