Iowa basketball coach Jan Jensen posted pictures of her son, Jack, with the family, including a childhood throwback with her wife Julie Fitzpatrick. Jensen posted the pictures on her Instagram story on Wednesday to celebrate Jack’s high school senior night at Iowa West High School.
She added heartfelt messages on each picture she posted on her story, celebrating the milestone.
“How is our fave 18 yr old at senior night?!
“We love you, Jack! Congrats to you and the boys on getting the W on Senior Night! Keep it rolling!
“It’s been a blast watching you since your first basket.”
Jack’s coach at Iowa West, Jason Kern, praised his shooting ability in an interview early in February.
“First and foremost, he’s a great kid,” he said. “A great kid and a great family. He’s like another coach out there. He’s so smart. Sometimes the things he can’t do athletically, he makes up for because of his smarts on the court. So fundamentally sound, a great shooter, our best 3-point shooter.”
Jan Jensen enters Coach of the Year watchlist
Jan Jensen was named to the Naismith Coach of the Year Award watchlist by the Atlanta Tipoff Club on Wednesday.
Jensen’s Iowa is 20-5 on the season and 11-3 in Big Ten play. The Hawkeyes won their last game against Nebraska 80-67 on Monday. Sophomore center Ava Heiden tied her career high in scoring with 27 points and 11 rebounds, while Taylor Stremlow finished with 17 points.
With Heiden’s form, she has become an important part of the Hawkeyes team, a fact that Jensen doesn’t find surprising. The coach is convinced she has more to offer.
“Any good post player, if you give them the ball where they need it at the right time, you can be pretty accurate,” Jensen said. “We’ve been working a lot on that timing. Her athleticism and her foot speed are pretty extraordinary. And I think she’s just beginning.”
The win over Nebraska is the Hawkeyes’ second win in as many games after losing three straight games. The team is poised to earn a double bye at the Big Ten tournament. However, a few more hurdles remain for the team to cross before its postseason journey begins.
A trip to West Lafayette is next on the agenda for the Hawkeyes, where they will face Purdue on Thursday. Games against Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin follow, respectively.
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Edited by Kayode Akinwumi
