By BYRON BEERS
Jill Twiehaus has been one of the top performers in the state over the last two seasons on the basketball court.
The Jenks community agrees.
Twiehaus, a 5-foot-10 junior guard and top-tier perimeter shooter, was voted as the Jenks’ top winter athlete in a recent poll.
“It’s definitely cool to be chosen out of the people on the list,” Twiehaus said. “It was awesome to see my family and friends take their time to vote for me and spread the word!”
She averaged 21.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, shot 35.3 percent on 73 made 3-pointers, and shot 44.9 percent overall this past season and helped the Lady Trojans to a 14-11 overall record.
Twiehaus, who poured in a career-high 41 points and connected on 7 of 15 from 3-point territory in Jenks’ 71-34 win over Putnam City in January, recalls the Lady Trojans’ 48-46 win over Booker T. Washington in February.
“One memorable moment from this season was senior night against BTW,” Twiehaus said. “We were in a slump going into the game but managed to pull out a super close team win. It was awesome to get the win for the seniors. They are super deserving of it!”
“That was a really cool moment for me, but it was even better to see the way my team got excited for me,” Twiehaus said of her 41-point performance.
Twiehaus has over 10 Division I college offers, including offers from Tulsa, Columbia, Boston College, Rice and Belmont.
She scored 20-plus points 11 times this past season. She had 28 points and knocked down six 3s against Broken Arrow, and had a 28-point effort against Bartlesville.
“She is a hard worker and team first player,” Jenks’ head coach Will Seymour said.
Twiehaus is most inspired by her father and AAU coach.
“My dad inspired me to play basketball. Growing up we would always shoot together in the driveway. Throughout my high school years, my AAU coach (coach Amber) has helped me tremendously and my trainer, Keenan,” she said.
As a sophomore, Twiehaus canned nine treys and finished with 33 points in a Jenks’ win over Bartlesville.
Twiehaus feels she can still be better and looks forward to her final go-round with the Lady Trojans in 2023-24.
“I look forward to finishing out my senior year with my teammates since middle school,” she said. Just spending time with the team and pushing each other every day is what I’m most excited for! Next season, I’ll look to become a better leader on and off the court. I’ll also try to expand my game as a three level scorer.”
