If Brooke Jelniker operated a restaurant, odds are she’d set up the salad bar, cook and serve the appetizer, main course and dessert, run the cashier station and wash the dishes.
Well, that’s only if she did the job the way she plays basketball. The ThunderRidge senior is one of the few who truly does it all on the court (particularly among players at her height).
Those who stand 6-feet-1 generally are confined to the paint, but the University of Kansas-bound Jelniker is a perimeter threat, midrange threat, post threat, rebounder and ball handler all in one.
“It’s not something I’ve tried to do, it’s something I’ve had to do with all the different teams I’ve played with,” Jelniker said of her myriad abilities. “It will help me, because it’s nice having someone at my height who can switch positions based on matchups. Being able to shoot and rebound definitely helps.”
Jelniker mostly plays power forward for the Grizzlies but is used at small forward and even shooting guard with the Hoopsters in the summer club season. She projects to be a small forward for the Jayhawks, where she will still create some mismatches.
“It’s obviously pleasant on offense because she can tailor her attack based on what type of player is guarding her,” ThunderRidge coach Bill Bradley said. “But it’s also nice on defense to have a player who can guard the perimeter and also has been your leading rebounder the past two years.”
While college teams will have a chance to front her with a similar player, Jelniker has one more year to enjoy having either a size or quickness advantage.
“They usually start off with the post on me, but then I’ll shoot outside so they’ll switch to a guard,” Jelniker said. “I don’t know how they match up with me, honestly, because a guard is too small and a post is too big. Unless they have another shooting guard who’s my height, it’s not really going to be a good matchup.”
Jelniker, along with junior point guard Carlie Needles, keys the Grizzlies’ hopes of being a title contender this season. As always, challenge will come from within their Continental League with stalwarts Highlands Ranch, Regis and Chaparral all still solid.
ThunderRidge is aiming for its first title since clinching a third in succession in 2005, when Jelniker was in seventh grade, but the Continental League has accounted for the last 10.
5A GIRLS HOOPS
5A top 10
1. ThunderRidge
2. Highlands Ranch
3. Chaparral
4. Regis
5. Monarch
6. G.J. Central
7. Heritage
8. Horizon
9. Legacy
10. Denver East
5A players to watch
Name School Ht. Yr.
Alex Evans Monarch 5-7 Sr.
Brooke Jelniker ThunderRidge 6-1 Sr.
Amy Kame Central (G.J.) 6-0 Sr.
Shae Kelley East 6-1 Sr.
Kim Lockridge Heritage 6-0 Sr.
Sam Martin Chaparral 6-2 Sr.
Katelyn McDaniel High. Ranch 6-1 Jr.
Carlie Needles ThunderRidge 5-7 Jr.
Quincey Noonan Legacy 5-10 Sr.
Adaugo Osuala Green Mtn. 5-7 Sr.
