Photo - Austin Lindell

JAMESTOWN – Looking to build upon the success of last season, the Jamestown Community College women's basketball team with 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."

Returning to the team this season is All-American and Region 3 Player of the Year forward Hannah Hicks (Cleveland, OH/Cleveland Heights), Second Team All-Region guard D'Auzhanay Harden (Erie, PA/Erie HS), along with guards Lauren Alfa (Mayville, NY/Chautauqua Lake Central), Zalika Stevens (Toronto, Ontario, Canada/Thornlea Secondary School), and Nonjabulo Mathebula (Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa/St. Mary's Diocesan School for Girls).

To go along with the five returners, coach 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, AZ/Desert View HS), Nina Kok (Sneek, Neatherlands/CSE Zwolle), Chyann Kelly (Bailey, CO/Platte Canyon HS), and Anna Jones (Ravenna, OH/Ravenna HS) to go along with forwards Grace Lundmark (Falconer, NY/Falconer HS), Jill Kindberg (Jamestown, NY/Jamestown HS), and Desiree Nelson (Fort Defiance, AZ/Window Rock HS).

JCC will have to be true road warriors to stat the season, playing one home game during the month of November as they open up the season at home against Lakeland Community College on the second.

"We've talked a lot about the travel that will be stowed upon us early in the season," Turnbull said. "They 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 the stretch of December to February which coach Turnbull sees that 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.