| 3/18/2010 9:03:00 AM | Email this article • Print this article | Splittgerber rose to the challenge
Jessica Splittgerber: 2009-2010 All-Area Girls Basketball Player of the Year
By Jeff Seisser
Union sports editor
JEFFERSON - Jessica Splittgerber was asked prior to the season if she could take her game to another level. If you ask any of the Jefferson's opponents, they would have to answer "yes."
That's why Splittgerber has been named the 2009-10 Daily Jefferson County Union All-Area Girls Basketball Player of the Year, marking the seventh time in 16 years that a player from Jefferson High School has received the honor.
Becky Garity (1995), Mindy Magner (1997), Caitlin Gibson (2004 & 2005) and Lin Zastrow (2006 & 2007) are the others.
A 5-foot-5 senior point guard, Splittgerber led the Eagles in nearly ever offensive category.
Splittgerber averaged 19.3 points per game, which led all Jefferson County players, while also finishing with team-highs in points (464), assists (89), steals (70) and 3-pointers made (35).
Splittgerber ended her career as the fourth-leading scorer in JHS history, coming up just 11 points shy of 1,000 points.
"She had a great year, almost doubling her point total from last year, and was a pretty important part of our team this year," said Jefferson coach Dena Smith. "She was not only our high scorer, but our point guard."
Splittgerber was simply the player to stop when opposing teams saw scouting reports or films on Jefferson. Night-in and night-out Splittgerber saw box-and-one defenses and double teams, but it didn't phase her.
"I kind of knew I had to score more coming into the season, so it was definitely a lot different than my previous three years," Splittgerber, whose previous high average was 11.1 ppg her junior year. "I knew that I had to step up more than I did in past years."
In a Jan. 21 game in Clinton, Splittgerber did something no other Jefferson player before her had and that was a school-record 39 points in a 73-51 win.
"I couldn't miss if I tried that night," recalled Splittgerber, who beat Caitlin Gibson's previous record of 35.
Splittgerber's varsity career began midway through her freshman season, when Smith promoted her from the junior varsity 10 games into the 2006-07 campaign. It was there that she played with the likes of Lin Zastrow, the current starting forward on the NCAA Tournament-bound Wisconsin Badgers, Edgewood College starting guard Amber Hemp and Beth Ganser, arguably one of the best defenders in school history.
"Jessica got to learn from all those good players and for the most part, she held her own with them," said Smith.
Along with the aforementioned trio, Splittgerber and the Lady Eagles advanced to the WIAA Division 2 Sectionals before losing to Greendale. Splittgerber scored four points in that semifinal loss.
"I'm glad I got the experience of playing on the varsity as a freshman and then starting as a sophomore, it made me love the game a lot more," said Splittgerber.
Splittgerber played on two conference championship teams, in 2006-07 when Jefferson was a member of the Southern Lakes Conference, and in '08-09 when the Eagles won the inaugural Rock Valley Conference North Division title.
Jefferson didn't win the RVC North this year, but did finish in third place (10-6) and 13-11 overall.
"She's gotten to see and be part of the tradition that is Jefferson girls basketball," said Smith. "I think she's gained a lot of pride and a lot of understanding in our program."
Splittgerber will play at the collegiate level, with Viterbo University expressing the most interest in the high-scoring, up-tempo guard.
"There are things in her game that she still needs to work on, but as far as her skill level, she's at the spot where she could contribute to a college program," said Smith. "I think as far as her competitiveness, I think she's right there."
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