After winning over 100 games from 2001 to 2010, and taking two teams to the regional finals, head coach Liz Ennis stepped away from the helm of the Cowgirl basketball program to have more time for other things in her life. After changing her mind twice, she is now ready to return and guide this team once again.
“I was thinking about returning last winter, because being around my daughter’s team after coaching them in youth tournaments rekindled my love of the game,” said Ennis. “I was about ready to apply in March when COVID-19 hit. My children were home from school, so I just put that thought on the back burner. Between enjoying my time with them, and working at our family business, I didn’t give the coaching gig much more thought. Then by mid-June, our new athletic director reached out to me about taking the position. I just didn’t think it was good timing, so I declined a meeting or interview. In August, I had a change of heart after different people in the community approached me about the job. With the support of my husband, I decided to dive back in!”
She feels a strength of the team is that the older girls on the varsity roster are very competitive. “I watched a video about the difference in just working hard and actually being competitive,” said Ennis. “These girls compete! A lot of athletes work hard each day, but I feel these girls make each other better in practice every day. Our practices are uptempo and pretty focused, and the players have been bringing their best. To watch them dive after a loose ball or sprint across the full court to grab a long rebound has been fun to watch. I also like how coachable they are. They want to learn more about the game and they ask great questions in practice.”
On the other hand, she feels their biggest weakness to be the current pandemic. “Having healthy players staying home to quarantine longer than some adults and teachers is probably the hardest part of the season thus far,” she said. “It’s tough to run a consistent practice when a new person has to stay home every few days. These athletes want to play and it’s got to be hard for them when they can’t.” Because of that, the biggest hurdle now and key to the season is to keep practice going. “I feel like our team will continue to improve through practices and games, at the things we as coaches are focusing on,” said Ennis. “Those include an uptempo offense and transitioning quickly down the floor, attacking and being aggressive at all times and playing tough defense.”
Under the guidance of Adam Vorrie, the team had a respectable 16-5 overall record last year. Now that those seniors return, they want nothing better than to improve on that record and put Cowgirl basketball back where it used to be. The team is already getting noticed with a 15th place ranking in 3A by the IGHSAU.
Raven Kinnetz, Morgan Middleton, Jadyn Jondle, Kendall Lienemann, Emma Conlon, Emma Keller, Alaina Friesleben and Nicole Waters are the seniors, and represent success in other sports that they would love to continue this winter. “What a great group of girls!” said Ennis. “I am so blessed to be coaching this group. After just one week of practice, I can truly say that I love coaching all of these girls. The eight seniors can all contribute to our game plan this year. The biggest thing I want for them is to have confidence in their basketball skills.”
Kinnetz was the leading scorer a year ago (347 points), and returns a 15.8 ppg average along with leading in steals and being third on the team in rebounding. “She is one of our captains, and has a great attitude and incredible basketball sense,” said Ennis. “She’s the floor general on offense and she likes to push the tempo. I think she’ll like the intensity of our defense this year, as she should be able to get her hands in the passing lanes and get some good steals that lead to easy baskets. She possesses a nice outside shot and reads things well on offense.”
Middleton brings back a 9.1 ppg average that she should be able to increase and was second in rebounds last year. She finished at an even 50 percent from the field. “Morgan goes hard at all times,” said Ennis. “She is so competitive. She is very powerful in the post, and we are getting her to use the backboard more with her shot. She is very coachable and listens to suggestions, and is making herself even stronger. She does an excellent job of talking on defense. I call her our floor general on defense because she sees everything and directs the other players very well.”
Jadyn Jondle returns a 4.2 ppg average and will be working hard to bring that up in her senior go-round. She is also a capable rebounder after snagging 91 a year ago. “She has so much endurance, she never gets tired,” said Ennis. “She’s very competitive, and will dive for a loose ball or drive hard to the basket. She’s improved her outside shot as well. The defense we’ll play will allow for more steals which lead to layups, which is right in Jadyn’s wheelhouse.”
Kendall Lienemann scored at a 2.4 ppg average, and was the best free throw shooter at nearly 86 percent. “She also has great endurance and is very athletic and competitive,” said Ennis. “She is smart on offense, sneaking into an open area or cutting backdoor. She’s got a very nice shot and drives well to the hoop. I would feel comfortable posting her up as well.”
Conlon, Keller, Friesleben and Waters were not prolific scorers a year ago, but will all have their place in the rotation and will contribute what they can to the overall team game plan and success. “Defense is Emma Conlon’s strength,” said Ennis. “She reads well what the opponent is doing, and I look for her to help us get some steals and easy baskets in transition. She’s got a nice outside shot too. She goes hard and is also very coachable. Emma Keller is also a captain, and she is a worker. She has really improved her post moves and puts forth her best every practice. She is strong in the middle on defense and also listens to her coaches and makes adjustments.
Alaina is maybe one of our most improved seniors. She has gained so much confidence in basketball, She is working on more post moves, and has a beautiful outside shot as well. Her work ethic is great. Nicole asks great questions in practice, and recognizes what she can improve on and is willing to make adjustments. She has a very nice shot. I want her to stay confident and knock those shots down in games.”
Ennis is not the only coach back on the staff. After a few years away himself, Gary Anderson returns as JV coach. “He was my freshman team coach previously,” she said. “We have similar teaching styles and philosophies, and it’s great to be working together again.” Jill Stanton returns as Freshmen coach, while Logan Holmes (8th) and Jon Dahlke (7th) handle duties at the middle school. “I like Jill’s focus and intensity,” said Ennis. “Logan has been helping with the high school practices and has been an incredible help. He’s got great knowledge of the game, having spent a lot of time studying it. He used to scout for me, film games and attend practices when he was a student.” Managers for the team are Isabella Palomino, Jayden Sorenson, Vanessa Hernandez and Marlene Hernandez. “These girls do a great job running the clock and counting baskets at practice,” said Ennis. Stat keepers are Elliot Ennis and Indy Johnson.
Even though Ennis needs to familiarize herself with the conference teams again, she does believe her girls will be in the top half at the finish.
