Is Batavia’s Sam Jansey tough enough?
You better believe it.
Of course, growing up, the 5-foot-8 junior guard probably didn’t have a lot of choice.
She’s the youngest of six siblings that include four brothers — including her twin, Nick. All four have contributed to Batavia’s wildly successful football program over the past decade.
“For sure, growing up with them has definitely made me get used to roughhousing,” Sam said.
Her basketball coach, Kevin Jensen, agreed that she’s a hard-nosed competitor.
“She’s as tough as can be,” said Jensen, who also is the sophomore football team’s defensive coordinator. “I’ve coached all her brothers and told them, ‘She’s the toughest one. By far.’”
Jansey proved that again Tuesday night.
She came off the bench and matched senior forward Hallie Crane with a game-high 12 points, helping the Bulldogs roll past DuKane Conference rival Wheaton North 55-25 in a Class 4A St. Charles East Sectional semifinal.
The win sends Batavia (24-9) to the 7 p.m. Thursday championship game against Glenbard West (22-12), which beat St. Charles East 35-32 in the other semifinal in overtime.
Stepping onto the court Tuesday reminded Jansey that varsity basketball isn’t for the faint of heart, either.
“I got my nose broken on this court, actually,” Jansey said of her last game against the Saints on Jan. 8 in a 43-37 loss. “We were a little bit rocky (Tuesday night) at first.
“When I went in, I really wanted to give it my all and bring the energy, just put it on the floor.”
That she did, draining the first of three 3-pointers she made on a perfect shooting night in breaking a 7-7 tie.
In the opening two minutes of the second quarter, Jansey made another 3-pointer, was fouled attempting a third and made all three free throws. It erased Wheaton North’s 11-10 edge in the first quarter and gave the Bulldogs the lead for good.
Jansey padded her scoring total in the third quarter with another 3-pointer.
“Shooting is definitely my strong suit,” Jansey said. “I love shooting. I practice it the most.”
She also takes to heart contributions from her brothers, especially Tyler, a redshirt junior linebacker at Wisconsin.
“I really look up to him,” Sam said. “His mindset is like what I want to be like. He doesn’t give up, has a lot of discipline and determination.
“When he gives me feedback, I really take that in. He’s helped me so much with his good, constructive criticism.”
Junior forward Ali Thomas and Batavia’s team defense, meanwhile, also stepped up.
The 6-1 Thomas scored only two points but grabbed 15 rebounds to go with three assists and two steals. Three Wheaton North starters were held scoreless, including four-time all-conference selection and program scoring leader Sara Abdul, one of two Falcons to foul out.
Jansey has started some games but her broken nose and minor injuries that cost Crane and senior guard Natalie Warner a couple games apiece opened the door for Thomas to start.
“She’s been a starter ever since and it’s kind of changed our team a little bit as far as how we rotate and who’s coming in off the bench,” Jensen said. “We really didn’t have a lot of length.
“It’s not like we have tons now, but she’s just been so active defensively. It’s been a good fit, so we’re gonna leave it.”
Jansey can provide a spark for the Bulldogs, according to senior guard Kaiden King, an Illinois Wesleyan recruit.
“Sam is a great shooter and was overdue,” King said. “She’s been off a couple games, but she lit it up. She’s confident and so tough.
“You should see her in practice or any game, defensively, offensively, she is sprinting for every loose ball and she’s getting on the floor. She has bruises all over her legs. I’m sure she’s learned from her brothers.”
