Blossoming baller: Freshman Ryann Jennings excels

Freshman Ryann Jennings dribbles up the court and makes an easy layup. Swish! Conestoga is now up 2-0.

The freshman starting shooting guard is quickly becoming an integral part of the girls’ varsity basketball team. Since fourth grade, Jennings has played elite basketball for the COMETS, a girls’ basketball club that sharpened her skills and enabled exposure to college national events. Her arrival on the team was anticipated because of these experiences.

“Coming in as a freshman, I felt like I had to step up, and I was scared to not be good,” Jennings said.

A major part of Jennings’ success has been her work ethic. She trains every day, either working on her shooting or playing practice games.

“On weekdays, I have school practice for two hours. Then I go and shoot and play more basketball after,” Jennings said. “On weekends, I go and play outside and work on shooting.”

This season has presented a few roadblocks for the girls’ basketball team. With fewer players, a limited number of substitutes and an altered roster, the team has been forced to adapt their strategy. Due to these new changes, the team could not push the ball as fast this year. To combat this, Jennings and the half-court offense have stepped up, utilizing picks and screens to set up better shots. Turnovers brought by steals from the defense have also contributed to the team’s success.

“I hustle on defense and try hard to influence the team,” Jennings said.

To help Jennings adjust to the team, the girls participated in various team bonding activities, including having breakfasts and dinners together as well as hanging out in the locker room. The 5-foot11-inch point guard already made a significant impact on the team’s game against Ridley High School, accumulating 15 points, eight rebounds, four steals and earning the Big C award. The award goes to a player of the coach’s choosing based on their contributions in the game.

Jennings’ proficiency has proved to be more than just the cherry on top for the girls’ basketball team. Her in-game awareness and movement have allowed the team to pivot the ball on the court. For the Pioneers, she has become a fundamental part in dominating possessions in order to bring the team to victory. Despite having to face many challenges this season, the athlete continues to pursue her ambitions with a positive mindset.

Rapid rebound: Freshman Ryann Jennings plucks the ball out of the air and hustles to the center for one of her eight rebounds. She went on to tally 15 points contributing to a huge win over Ridley High School, proving herself to be a vital asset to the team.

The team hopes to win the coveted Central League title. In recent years, the team has earned itself a strong reputation, and despite a hard-fought loss against Haverford High School on Dec. 13, the team remains optimistic about their chances.

When asked about Jennings’ role in achieving the team’s goal and aiding their success, junior point guard and team captain Marisa Francione had several compliments for her freshman teammate’s skills.

“She’s a great three-point shooter. She’s knocked down several key shots for us in the past couple of games, is a really good rebounder and puts a lot of effort in,” Francione said. “I think she’s a great addition to our team.”