Above is the 2022-23 Jamestown Community College women’s basketball team, which opens its season at 5:30 p.m. today at home against Lakeland CC. In the first row, from the left, are Nonjabulo Mathebula, Lauren Alfa, D’Auzhanay Harden, Hayley Dawson, Chyann Kelly and Anna Jones. In the second row are Desiree Nelson, Jill Kindberg, Nina Kok, Hannah Hicks, Grace Lundmark, Angelique Palacio and Zalika Stevens. Photo by Austin Lindell

Looking to build upon the success of last season, the Jamestown Community College women’s basketball team has a core group returning for the 2022-23 season.

“It’s great to have the ones that are returning for one more season,” said second-year head coach Dave Turnbull. “A player like (Hannah) Hicks comes around once every 10 years or so and the same goes for Nay (D’Auzhanahy Harden) as well. (Lauren) Alfa is the most improved player I’ve been around. From her time in high school to where she is now is unbelievable. Zalika (Stevens) has also put in a tremendous amount of work in the offseason to get better.”

Hicks (Cleveland/Cleveland Heights) was an All-American and Region 3 Player of the Year last season; Harden (Erie, Pa./Erie) was Second Team All-Region guard. Alfa (Mayville, /Chautauqua Lake), Stevens (Toronto, Ontario, Canada/Thornlea Secondary School), and Nonjabulo Mathebula (Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa/St. Mary’s Diocesan School for Girls) also return.

To go along with the five returners, Turnbull has brought in eight freshmen in which he is excited to see what they can bring to the table this season.

“As far as the freshmen, there’s always a learning curve,” Turnbull said. “The hardest part for them is to have a sustained level of play at a high level. At this level, you can’t take plays off and they are learning that from our scrimmages. The chemistry is great and it’s going to be an enjoyable year.”

Joining the Jayhawks this season are guards Hayley Dawson (Papamoa, New Zealand/Tauranga Girl’s College), Angelique Palacio (Tucson, Arizona/Desert View), Nina Kok (Sneek, Neatherlands/CSE Zwolle), Chyann Kelly (Bailey, Colorado/Platte Canyon HS), and Anna Jones (Ravenna, OH/Ravenna HS) to go along with forwards Grace Lundmark (Falconer, NY/Falconer HS). Desiree Nelson (Fort Defiance, Arizona/Window Rock) and Jill Kindberg (Jamestown/Jamestown).

Jamestown CC will have to be true road warriors to start the season. After tonight’s home game against Lakeland CC, the Jayhawks won’t return to the Physical Education Complex the rest of the month.

“We’ve talked a lot about the travel that will bestowed upon us early in the season,” Turnbull said. “The veterans understand and have helped relay the message that these are business trips and not road trips. We are at these places to accomplish certain goals and need to make sure that we get our rest and are eating well.”

On the flip side of their schedule, the Jayhawks will be on the road for only five games from December to February, which Turnbull sees as a huge advantage.

“This is a huge advantage to us as the season moves on,” said Turnbull. “The wear and tear starts to be more telling at the end of January and beginning of February. The fact that we will be in our own gym more in the later part of the season will allow our players to get better rest. I’m glad we have the schedule that we have because I wouldn’t want the reverse.”

For full schedule and game times, visit jccjayhawks.com.