An ode to Jana

[Bone Dog]

Jana has struggled to live up to a lot of our expectations. But whether that's fair or not, it may have distracted many of us to some of the wonderful things she does for the team. A couple of them spring to mind for me.

• In the Utah game, around the 3 minute mark in the 3rd quarter (iirc) she lost the ball in the lane to a double team that perhaps she could have avoided. It led to a fast break with a Utah guard racing down the court almost unimpeded. But Jana sprinted down after her -- as quickly as I've ever seen her move -- and though she didn't get a block, she deterred the Ute from even attempting a layup. Jana doesn't always move like that. But occasionally she can really pour it on, and when she does, it's kinda wonderful.
• In a recent interview, when she was asked who her favorite teammate is, Blanca named Jana. And I think many of us have seen the way Jana has worked to support Kayleigh and welcome her to the team. Jana is the 'heart' of this team, the big kid who holds everyone together. Great teams need great personalities to rally around, and Jana has really filled this need for the Huskies.

 

[BBallF]

She's getting better. It's a subtle process. Big heart and loves her teammates. Would be starting for an awful lot of D1 teams.

 

[AzzisBraids]

When it mattered, Jana was a superb post player. I think she's one of those players that gets up for the big games and moments. Her career is young and started with an achilles injury.

For context, we were saying the same thing about Azzi for 3 years and now she's the biggest star and celebrity off the court and everything else on the court.

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

IMHO both Jana and Caroline are the heart and soul of this team!

 

[Blond D.]

I think if Jana keeps working hard she will soon be the "Queen of Denial"

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

Jana is the GREAT PYRAMID!

 

[Scud49]

She is our Egyptian Princess. 😀😀😀

 

[PacoSwede]

She's getting better. It's a subtle process. Big heart and loves her teammates. Would be starting for an awful lot of D1 teams.

she did start for a d1 team most of last season ... for the national champs, when she was a freshman, as i recall

 

[my2cents]

Even Geno has hinted that against "Bulky" post players in the tournament, Jana will be critical. Serah doesn't have the size to against the likes of Crooks, Beers, Oldacre, Betts, etc.