Jessica's last Basketball Banquet

3/23/11 - Tonight is the NOHS Girls Basketball Season Banquet.

Jessica and Coach Pfaff

What a great night - the air is filled with excitement and anticipation of a wonderful dinner and program.

Jessica and Coach Nancy Martin

The banquet was held at the North Oldham High School Media Center to save money for the program.  Betsy worked very hard to decorate and make sure the room was festive for the girls and their families.  Dinner was a mexican spread from Qdoba's - the girls absolute favorite choice.  They got quesadillas (as per requested) and the rest of us had the open taco bar (yum).  After dinner, Nancy Martin started the evening with a bunch of thank you to everyone that helped with the program.  She also spoke about the season and about the Varsity program and each of the girls.  Then Coach Pfaff spoke about the Junior Varsity program.  Jessica never played on JV with Coach Pfaff but he also ran the practices with Coach Grimm, and she has him as her Business Math teacher.  She has developed a great relationship with him and a mutual respect and appreciation for each other.

Coach Martin did an excellent job talking about the season and each of the Varsity players.  Jessica will be hard to replace.  Coach Grimm followed up with the awards and recognitions.  Lucy Gibson was awarded the all-time assist record - 150 club.  Nicole Bryant (during the Bethlehem game) was awarded the 1000 point club award, and Jessica Lowe was awarded the 500 rebound club.  For the best of the season, Lucy Gibson was named as the Best Defensive Player, Nicole Bryant was recognized as the Best Offensive player and Jessica was presented the  MOST VALUABLE PLAYER of the season award.  Grimm said there was no doubt who the award went to this year from a statistical point.  She was #1 in rebounds, #2 in points, #1 in steals, #2 in assists, #1 in charges taken and defensive assists, and #2 in blocked shots.  She had such an OVERALL and all around game, but it wasn't her statistical data that made it so obvious that she was MVP.  It was her presence on the court - her command of the paint and her confidence and example to others that most impressed the coaches.  Coach Martin said she could not remember as day, in 5 years that Jessica Lowe ever complained or griped about a drill, practice or run.  She was so tender and kind in her comments about Jessica.

Jessica and Coach Craig Grimm

Jessica already misses her time with her basketball friends.  I think this group of girls will be together and stay together as friends forever!

Mikayla Roach, Meghan Welle, Jessica Lowe, Coach Pfaff, Lucy Gibson, and Nicole Bryant

Jessica and her friend and teammate Nicole Bryant - both All District Players

Watching Jessica progress and play basketball for five years has been one of the greatest joys in our lives.  We've loved it, pushed through the hard times, laughed at the good times, and cheered the great times.  I can't believe it's come to an end.  What a joy to be a part of it!

Game #21 - Trimble

From the first tip to the last second, the Lady Mustangs controlled the game. Jessica won the tip, the ball went to Amanda and the game goes on.

fighting for the rebound.

Jessica's stats: 2 points, 3 deflections, 4 assists, 7 rebounds, 2 steals and a charge taken.

Game #20 - Eastern

Going into this game we expected not to win - they are ranked 11 points higher than us, but it was still worth giving everything we had, and they did - except for our shots. For some really strange reason despite playing a tough offensive and defensive game - we couldn't get our shots to go through the hoop. All of our top scorers didn't score - Olivia had 0, Meghan had 0, Nicole had 8 (usually double digits). As a matter of fact, Nicole was high scorer for the team with only 8.

Jessica had 3 points, 1 assist, 11 rebounds, and 1 steal.

Game #19 - KCD: A disappointing loss

Our first game against KCD was canceled due to snow. This was the game that "didn't go as expected" - for the wrong way. We are ranked 20 points over KCD, but (if you asked me) the girls thought they had this one in the bag so much that they didn't play very aggressive.

The second factor in this loss was that the coaches decided to pull Jessica every time she got a foul, 1st quarter - 1 foul - she was pulled. 2nd quarter - 2nd foul - she was pulled. 3rd quarter - 3rd foul...yikes ...she was benched; even when the team didn't protect the paint.

The girls would get a very comfortable lead and then Jessica would go out of the game and KCD would inch their way back up. In the end KCD caught up and then made one to take the lead. We had to foul them to stop the clock, and they made both shots. Now we are down by 4 - buzzer - game over. Bummer!
Jessica's stats: 2 points, 1 deflection, 8 rebounds and only 13 minutes.

Game #18 - Win against Beechwood

This was such an important game since we lost to Bethlehem. The girls have had a few games away, so it is nice to finally have a home game! Betsy (and Mark) is the biggest fan of Jessica's team.

Betsy (Jessica's mom) and Deanna (Lucy's mom): Junior Moms!

Jessica with the rebound!

Jessica with the shot

and the basket! 2 points!

Another amazing rebound for Jessica & Olivia

#24 fouled Jessica so hard that she made her bleed:

Jessica couldn't take her free throws and had to be out the rest of the game since blood got on her uniform.

The team won - 60-52!

Jessica had 8 points & 11 rebounds, 4 steals, 1 blocked shot and 2 charges taken.

(if she didn't have to go out she could have had a double double).

Game #17 - Bethlehem

This game was away (a long way away in Bartstown, KY - 1.2 hours drive on a Tuesday night) on 1/28/10. Nicole Bryant was still out with a broken finger. It's her thumb which is harder to tape than the four fingers Jessica has broken and played games.

Does Jessica look like "In your face girl?" Oh-yah!

Jessica trying to set up a play - somebody make a move!!

Got the pass

went to pivot, but there was nothing to do there, so Jessica passed the ball out to someone else.

Bethlehem was a very deflating game. They were ranked higher than us, but again...if we stayed focused we could win (with Nicole)...without Nicole it was going to be a loss, but the goal was to keep it close. Their team consisted of one super great player, #15 Hurst but she could sink the ball from anywhere.

First quarter: 9-20

Second quarter: 25-35 starting to make a comeback

Third quarter: we really need it right now, and we came out FLAT: 31-55

Fourth quarter: 41-68 (loss by 27) YUCK!

Jessica's stats: 4 points, 2 pass deflections, 5 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 charge taken. She couldn't get many rebounds because #15 shots scored almost every time.

Game #16 - Spencer County

file:///Users/betsylowe/Desktop/Spencer%20Co%20294.jpg

Saturday - January 23, 2010, Jessica's team has a game against Spencer County. We are ranked above Spencer however, Nicole is out with a broken thumb! OH NO!

So the game didn't start out to good with Jessica and Olivia getting 2 fouls each in the first quarter. With Jessica and Olivia out we dug ourselves into a pit...10-17. Second quarter we really fight back, swing the score in our favor and take the lead ...24-21 (but it's still anyone's game). Third quarter we make a bigger lead 36-27 and everyone's so excited. Fourth quarter we maintain the lead but Spencer really fights back. Jessica fouled out near the end. Final score46-42. We win!!!

Jessica's stats: With Nicole out, Jessica really had to step up her offensive game - and she really did. 8 points, 2 pass deflections, 1 assist, 14 rebounds, 1 steal...5 fouls.

Game #15 - South Oldham

Marissa and I made signs to support the team!

Jessica setting a pick for Lucy Gibson #34.

Nicole on the shot and Jessica ready for the follow through (if needed)

There's Jessica in the middle of it again! Block her pass!

On January 20, 2010 - Jessica's 17th Birthday - her team had to play the biggest rival and an extremely good team - South Oldham High School. This team is ranked #3 while we are ranked #9. However, Walton Verona was ranked #1 and we only lost to them by 8 - so we have a chance if we play really hard and stay focused (don't turn over the ball).

First quarter: they scored, we scored, we scored! We are ahead. We are so excited the game is neck and neck until the last minute of the quarter where South gets hot. Quarter ends 12-9 (only down by 3 - totally doable!!!)

Second quarter: we fall apart. It's like we didn't believe we could do it. Score 19-31

Third quarter: we don't give up, but we don't go all out either. Score 28-35. At least we held them to four points.

Fourth quarter: we out score them, but it's not enough...Final score 39-54. Loss by 15

It wasn't the worst the girls had played, but it was sad to lose on Jessica's birthday. In reality this is the best we've scored against this team. We keep getting better! Watch out South - next year!!!

Jessica's stats: 4 points, 3 pass deflections, 2 assists, 6 rebounds, 2 blocked shots, 1 charge taken.

Game #14 - Oldham County

Friday night - double header - Girls Varsity and Boys Varsity! The girls played first. I (personally) was really stressed about the game and I wasn't even playing. I really wanted the girls to beat Oldham. They are a rival!!! They are ranked higher than us but only by a little bit. The problem is - it's an away game. We always do much better at home. YIKES! Second - the girls will be playing for a very large and loud crowd.

Okay, before I go any farther, I have to apologize for shouting so much at the game. The refs were probably the worst refs I have ever seen (EVER). One girl even pulled Jessica's hair (like the girl in the BYU soccer game). I was outraged - (as only a mother would be).

As for the game: first quarter we weren't alive 8-16. Down by 8. Second quarter we fought back 22-28. Only down by 4. Third quarter is where we needed to come out super strong but we didn't (we scored 10 and they got 14) 32-41. Down by 9. Fourth quarter we scored 25 points but so did they - so we lost by 9: 55064. Bummer!

Jessica's stats: 3 points, 6 pass defections, 3 assists, 15 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 blocked shot.

Game #13 - Whitefield Academy

Jessica's team played against Whitefield Academy on January 12, 2010. They had just lost two games in a row and were determined to fight back. You can see from the photos that Jessica was determined to give it her all.

Jessica always starts the game with the Jump! Go Jessica...

Jessica sets up a strong defense.

Look at the height of this rebound. First, look at where Jessica's heels are - level with Olivia's knees. Second, look at where Jessica's hands are - way above the other girl's. This is probably my favorite photo of Jessica's basketball career so far this year!

Up for a shot - it didn't go it, but it was a good shot to take.

They won the game 61-20. Take No Prisoners!

1st quarter: 12-5

2nd quarter: 26-9

3rd quarter: 47-13

4th quarter: 61-20

Jessica stats: 3 pass deflections, 4 assists, 8 rebounds, 7 steals, 1 blocked shot.

Game #12 - John Hardin

On January 9, 2010 Jessica's team played against John Hardin - a team down in Elizabethtown, KY. We didn't play our very best. After loosing to Walton Verona the girls would either come out pumped up to fight back or deflated from the loss. The were deflated. BOO!

Jessica didn't even have a great game. She was disappointed that she didn't score - it was like there was a plastic wrap around the top of the basket. She had 2 pass deflections, 1 assist, 5 rebounds, 5 steals and 1 charge taken. She still leads the team in defense.

The lost 47-33. Better luck next game.

Game #11 - Walton Verona

Jessica's team played one of the top ranked teams in our region - Walton Verona. They fought hard but it just wasn't enough to win. They lost 33-41. Jessica had a good game with 3 points, 2 assists, 7 rebounds, and 5 steals.

Hopefully, they will not let this get them down. They still have two very tough teams to face back to back...Oldham County and South Oldham.

Jessica's team

Jessica's team looks really good. They had a great scrimmage session yesterday. She played every quarter of JV and Varsity. She rebounded, got some steals that converted into points and put points up herself. Since the scrimmages were only one quarter long and then it switched (JV/Varsity/JV, etc) I don't have a final score for either team. However, one of the JV quarters they won 10-0. The others were closer 9-9, 6-6, etc.

Way to go Mustangs - Way to go Jessica!

BASKETBALL SEASON IS OFFICAL

Let the games begin!

If you can believe it ... tonight is the start of Robert's basketball season (Mark is his coach), and the start of high school basketball. Jessica is playing JV and Varsity tonight against North Bullitt, and Robert is playing at BA. Robert's team are the "Future Mustangs" and Jessica's team is the "Lady Mustangs". It's really cute!

I'll keep you posted as the games commence...

Basketball is Brutal

Well, I guess I was wrong, my injury wasn't enough...Jessica was at basketball practice this morning. She is working very hard with the team. She runs fast, passes hard and best of all is the rebound queen.
Well, I don't know how, and she doesn't really understand how it happened either, but the ball hit the same finger she broke earlier this year - causing immediate pain. He coach told her, "Jessica get back in the game, sometimes you have to play in pain...she was crying (which is something she doesn't do in front of people unless she can't control it). She was allowed to get taped up, before coming back to play for the rest of the practice.
Later that day we took her to the doctor. To our surprise, her finger is broken, but it's in a different spot than the first break. Actually, the first break has healed nicely.
Well, that's not all - during try-outs Jessica was elbowed in the eye (she doesn't even know who did it), and it gave her a black eye.
Our poor beautiful young lady is beat up, but she still has a positive attitude and a smile on her face.

Practice Pays off - VARSITY

Hi,

This past week has been very busy and consuming. First, it was the last week of the term so everyone was studying hard for exams, lots of exams. Second, it was the week for basketball try-outs. Jessica said she had never worked out so hard in her life.

This is the time in your life that you realize you have to cut the ties a bit. As a parent I'm not allowed to be there to cheer her on or see her efforts - it's just her, the other girls and the coaches for three straight days.

Well, the results were posted on Friday night prior to the Homecoming football game (which we won 31 - 0).

JESSICA MADE VARSITY!!

She is the fastest girl on her team, her best mile is 6:23. She gives 110% effort.

GO LADY MUSTANGS!