G-A senior Jaidyn Klimp (right) and her sister, freshman Jeni Klimp, are enjoying the opportunity to play on the varsity basketball team with each other.
By Bruce Rolfe
Two sisters playing on the Galesburg-Augusta varsity basketball team are welcoming their only opportunity to play on the basketball court at the varsity level for a season together.
G-A High School senior Jaidyn Klimp, and her younger sister, freshman Jenisyn Klimp, have been regular contributors to G-A’s 5-1 start this season.
The two sisters’ mother, Jonica, said the two have shared the same bedroom all their lives so sharing the basketball court together seems to come naturally when they are on the court together.
And that shows when they do have the opportunity to be on the floor at the same time.
That familiarity has often led to Jenisyn knowing when her older sister will be cutting to the basket before zipping her a pass for an assist, or Jaidyn finding her younger sister on the court for a pass after she has come up with a steal or knowing where Jenisyn will be when setting up the offense.
“I especially love that there is someone on the court I can fully trust and rely on. She may just be a freshman but when I get in trouble she’s the first person I look for. We make an awesome team on the court and I’m so excited to see what the rest of the season has in store. Crazy what growing up together can do,” said Jaidyn, who is averaging 19.8 points, 8.6 rebounds, 5.3 steals and 1.6 assists a game and entered the Schoolcraft game January 7, 98 points shy of 1000 career points.
Two sisters playing on the Galesburg-Augusta varsity basketball team are welcoming their only opportunity to play on the basketball court at the varsity level for a season together.
G-A High School senior Jaidyn Klimp, and her younger sister, freshman Jenisyn Klimp, have been regular contributors to G-A’s 5-1 start this season.
The two sisters’ mother, Jonica, said the two have shared the same bedroom all their lives so sharing the basketball court together seems to come naturally when they are on the court together.
And that shows when they do have the opportunity to be on the floor at the same time.
That familiarity has often led to Jenisyn knowing when her older sister will be cutting to the basket before zipping her a pass for an assist, or Jaidyn finding her younger sister on the court for a pass after she has come up with a steal or knowing where Jenisyn will be when setting up the offense.
“I especially love that there is someone on the court I can fully trust and rely on. She may just be a freshman but when I get in trouble she’s the first person I look for. We make an awesome team on the court and I’m so excited to see what the rest of the season has in store. Crazy what growing up together can do,” said Jaidyn, who is averaging 19.8 points, 8.6 rebounds, 5.3 steals and 1.6 assists a game and entered the Schoolcraft game January 7, 98 points shy of 1000 career points.
Jeni Klimp (left) and her sister Jaidyn are pictured in a game against St. Joe Michigan Lutheran.
Jenisyn was a water girl under former G-A girls varsity basketball coach Vickie DeLeon for four years, so she’s been around the varsity environment for some time, no doubt learning from her sister and others.
Jenisyn has admired how her older sister has played the game and is excited to learn from Jaidyn, not only because she has been a great leader, but a good athlete as well.
“She’s fast and a really good scorer,” said Jenisyn.
With an older sister and older brother who have already graduated, and a younger brother, the two sisters are enjoying the privilege of being the first siblings in the family to play on the same varsity team together.
“My mom points that out a lot,” said Jaidyn.
While the sisters’ parents feel Jaidyn’s leadership role as a senior has been important, they feel their speed and quickness has been beneficial when they’re on the court together.
“Jaid and Jen both hold track records at G-A and it shows. I’m hoping to see them really use this speed and sister connection to push the court this year,” said the girls’ mother.
While most freshmen typically begin their high school careers playing at the JV level to gain more experience, first year G-A girls varsity basketball coach Jake Wortinger has watched Jenisyn develop on the court at the lower level and felt she could make contributions at the varsity level right away.
“I kind of knew when I watched her play in 8th grade last year. Then summer (camp). Knew right then and there. The style I like to play is get it up the floor and she (Jenisyn) fits that bill real well. Plus, we have six seniors that will be graduating. She will have to be a big part of everything next year too,” said Wortinger.
While she doesn’t play the minutes her older sister does, Jenisyn is making an impact at both ends of the floor, averaging 2.1 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 2.1 points a game. She scored a season high eight points on 4-for-5 shooting from the floor to go with three rebounds in a win over St. Joseph Our Lady of the Lakes December 17.
Wortinger sees potential.
“She (Jenisyn) runs the floor well and she’s strong. She’s still figuring it out, what to do. We put her in all five positions. A little bit overwhelming to her. For our first game I told her just go out and play. Like Jaidyn said, it’s a learning process being up here (on the varsity), but she belongs up here. That’s why she’s up here. She makes us a better team. As we go forward, she’s just going to get better and better. It makes the team much better overall,” offered Wortinger.
“They’re different styles of players, but they’re similar in a lot of ways. They’re the two hardest working girls I have on the team. That’s a tribute to their parents, for that. They have that motor that just keeps going,” adds the Lady Ram coach.
Jaidyn said she saw great potential in her younger sister and felt she would do well playing at the varsity level.
“She’s always seen the floor well and hand, eye coordination. It’s natural,” said Jaidyn.
The two sisters’ parents admit it’s been fun to watch their two daughters play at the varsity level, especially when they have an opportunity to play together in games.
“It’s a lot of fun watching Jaidyn lead Jeni and teach her. We have five kids and the first time we’ve had two kids on the same team, so that’s a different experience as well,” said Jonica.
“Just the experience of being able to play with her older sister and like she (Jonica) just said, learn on the court, is just awesome. She (Jenisyn) will be able to move up in her four years after kind of being taught from her sister. Pass the reins, and keep moving down the court,” adds the two sisters’ father, John Klimp.
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