The Meadowbrook girls’ basketball team enters the New Year hot, with a 7-0 record. This success can be attributed to someone that was missing last year’s –guard, Nia Jenkins.
After being named to second-team all-conference as a sophomore, Jenkins sat out last season because of personal reasons. This year, she is back and better than ever, often providing the spark for Meadowbrook on offense and defense.
While the Monarchs could have used Jenkins last year, they are ecstatic that she is back this year to finish her high school career doing what she loves. To put it simply, Jenkins is a game changer.
“If anyone on the team isn’t scoring or having their best game, Nia is there to pick up the slack and keep the team going,” said coach Daniel Connor.
Jenkins, the team’s leading scorer at 13.2 points per game has a couple of key sidekicks in senior forwards Sariah Brown and Johnnae Holmes. The duo averages 12.6 and 11.6 ppg, respectively. Brown is a strong post player and rebounder, notching four double-doubles.
As one might imagine, Meadowbrook’s leading trio has gotten some college interest. Jenkins has been visited by Division II Johnson C. Smith University and both Brown and Holmes have gotten looks from Division III schools.
In addition to a balanced offense, a strength of the Lady Monarchs has been a stout defense. They haven’t conceded more than 40 points in a single game. Connor expressed his happiness in the pressure and turnovers they’ve forced. Lauren Ford has defended the wing well, while Jenkins and Jazmin Weaver have come up with big steals.
“Our defense has stepped up and cut down on mistakes,” said Coach Connor. “It really is a team effort.”
Weaver, a sophomore, along with Kiyah Shaw, a freshman, are both young talents that are playing like upperclassmen, so far. Both have made a surprising impact, coming off the bench to provide hustle and pressure on the ball.
The Monarchs tried to resume where they left off on Jan. 5, against a Central District opponent in Matoaca. Results are available on Village News’ sister site www.RVAgamebreak.com or on Twitter @RVAGameBreak.
