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Janesville Parker girls basketball a perennial contender

Photo

Photo by Dan Lassiter

Parker Coach Tom Klawitter yells a play into his girls during the Vikings Sectional game with Badger on Friday.

JANESVILLE — Although the roster changes on a yearly basis, expectations don’t for Janesville Parker’s girls basketball program.

Parker High, under longtime coach Tom Klawitter, always finds a way to contend for the Big Eight championship. The Vikings have won 15 conference titles in Klawitter’s 20 seasons and never have finished lower than third.

And with three WIAA Division 1 state titles and 12 state appearances, the Vikings are always a threat in the posteason.

Will things be any different this season?

“I hope not,” Klawitter said. “A lot will depend on how well we play defensively. That’s something we’ve always taken a lot of pride in.

“And for us, I really believe the beginning of the season is crucial. If we play well early, then hopefully, that will carry over for the rest of the season. If we don’t, then you never know what could happen.”

The Vikings return three starters but will be without two-time all-state selection Catie O’Leary, the school’s third all-time leading scorer. O’Leary is now playing at the University of Wisconsin.

“The points will be hard to replace, but I think we’ll be a more rounded team without her presence,” Klawitter said of O’Leary. “And hopefully, we won’t see as many junk defenses as we did when Catie was here.”

Juniors Danielle Flood and Savannah Shepler are returning starters. The 5-foot-7 Flood will likely play the point, while the 5-8 Shepler will start at the two-guard spot.

Senior forward Kaynesha Zinn (5-10) is also back, giving Klawitter three solid scoring options.

“All three of those kids have the ability to put the ball in the basket,” Klawitter said. “Kaynesha worked hard on her game over the summer and could have a really good year.

“Savannah and Danielle have really taken over the leadership role on this team, and we needed that. And if they can consistently knock down shots from the outside, that’s going to open things up underneath.”

Senior Kathryn Pernot and senior center China Franklin (6-1) are also expected to start in Thursday night’s conference and season opener at home against Beloit Memorial.

“Kathryn is probably one of our best defensive players, and someone who got a lot of minutes last year,” Klawitter said.

“China is 6-1, and you can’t coach 6-1. She’s come a long way since she started, and I think she has a chance to really surprise some people this year. She could be that ‘X’ factor we’re looking for.”

Freshman Ashley Hartwig (5-10), the daughter of Jennah Burkholder—the state Player of the Year in 1993—will be the first player off the bench, along with senior sharpshooter Brianna Prokopec.

Juniors Sadie Johnson and Frankie Larson also return, along with senior speedster Naquisha Kenerson.

Klawitter also expects junior transfer Courtney Schumacher to play a pivotal role, as well as sophomores Julia Dement and Brianna Washington.

“I’m really happy with our depth,” Klawitter said. “Everybody on the roster has a chance to play and contribute.

“A lot of times, who we’re playing will dictate who we have on floor.”

Klawitter picks Middleton as the Big Eight favorite, with Verona a likely contender.

So where does that leave the Vikings.

“I would like to think we could compete in the top three,” Klawitter said. “And if we don’t win the conference, that doesn’t mean we can’t have a successful season.”