Freshman Sensation Jolene Anderson and UW Team Open Season Tonight
November 19, 2004 | Women's Basketball
Wisconsin features a whole new lineup as it opens its second season under UW head coach Lisa Stone by playing host to IUPUI in a game at the Kohl Center at 7 p.m. One new starter is freshman scoring sensation Jolene Anderson, who had an auspicious collegiate debut earning a double-double in the first exhibition game against the Wisconsin AAU team Nov. 7.
Wisconsin's all-time prep scoring leader, who averaged 37 points per game her senior season, easily poured in 18 points and added 11 rebounds, two assists and three steals to quell any concerns that the youngster from tiny Port Wing in northern Wisconsin can hoop at the Division I level.
She continued to impress in the second exhibition just missing a second, consecutive double-double with 17 points, nine rebounds while adding four assists and three steals. Badger coach Lisa Stone has complimented Anderson on her court vision and basketball instincts after she averaged a double-double 17.5 points and 10 rebounds in two games.
In an irony of sorts, Anderson's toughest opponent in the opener was playing for the AAU team. Anderson played opposite Anna DeForge, the former State of Wisconsin scoring leader whose record Anderson replaced. DeForge, who finished with 23 points, now plays for the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA.
DeForge first met Anderson in introductions at the start of the AAU exhibition game, but she had sent her congratulations last March when Anderson broke DeForge's 10-year scoring mark.
Said DeForge of Anderson's talents, "She plays bigger than her size. She is pretty powerful; has a very nice touch on her 3-point shot. I told Jolene after the game, 'Look, you're a scorer. You're young, you're a freshman,
but go ahead and take that initiative.''
Wisconsin fans will enjoy watching the freshmen records be challenged by Anderson and her four other frosh teammates as she takes her game to the next level in college.
