BATTLE GROUND SENIOR Jossilyn Blackman (42) is shown here in a game earlier this season against Prairie. Blackman is a returning all-league player and is one of the keys to the Tigers’ success this season.
JUNIOR EMILY GRIFFITH (3) is one of four returning starters on the Battle Ground girls basketball team this season and a reason why there is optimism for success surrounding the Tigers’ program.
The Battle Ground High School girls basketball team had reason for optimism heading into this season. After five straight losses to open the season, the Tigers bounced back with three wins in their last four games to regain hope for the upcoming league schedule.
“We only lost two girls from last year, so we’re a little frustrated right now,’’ said Battle Ground coach Joe Potter, referring to his team’s 3-6 record. “We had most of our starters back who started last year so we should be further ahead at this point.’’
The Tigers finished last season with an 11-9 record and were eliminated in the first round of the district playoffs by a loss to Union. If Battle Ground is going to surpass that level of success this season, it will likely be due in large part to the play of senior post Jossilyn Blackman.
The 6-foot Blackman is averaging double-figure points and rebounds so far this season. She was a first-team Class 4A Greater St. Helens League player last year as a junior.
“She’s our big threat inside,’’ Potter said. “She has a really good work ethic. For the most part, she goes after it every day. She has a drive to be good.’’
Blackman had 29 points and 17 rebounds in a win over Benson Tech in a recent tournament at Evergreen High School. She also had 21 points and 11 rebounds in a win over De La Salle (of Portland).
In addition to Blackman, the Tigers will feature senior Emily Griffith. The 5-9 Griffith was an honorable mention all-league last season. Potter said Griffith plans to play soccer at Concordia University in Portland next season.
“Emily can play our point on defense; she’s long and lanky and gets a lot of steals for us,’’ Potter said. “She has a lot of energy and very good foot speed. She kind of makes us go on defense.’’
Battle Ground will also rely heavily on junior guard Alena Jarvis, also a returning starter.
“Alena is our two guard and she’s an outside (scoring) threat,’’ said Potter, who pointed out that Jarvis had eight points and 10 assists in a recent win over Woodland.
Kylie Smith is a 6-foot junior post, who combines with Blackman to give Battle Ground a solid inside combination.
“We start with two bigs in Jossilyn and Kylie,’’ Potter said. “That gives us a lot of high-low action between those two.’’
In addition to those four returning starters, Potter has rotated freshman Grace Russell and sophomore Kayla Cruz in the starting lineup so far this season.
“Grace is a pretty good shooter, a 3-point threat, and she can also attack the basket a little more for us, which is what we need,’’ Potter said. “Kayla is another point guard, more of an assist girl who pushes the ball really well for us. She looks to pass first.’’
Potter, in his fourth year at Battle Ground, has emphasized the need for the Tigers to take better care of the basketball.
“The main thing for us is taking care of the ball,’’ Potter said. “Our turnovers have hurt us. We are pretty gifted athletically and have a fairly high skill level. What gets us in trouble is our decision making. When we take care of the ball, things are much easier for us.’’
Potter said perennial powers Skyview and Camas are considered the two favorites in the 4A GSHL this season but he is optimistic his Tigers can compete at the level of those two teams.
“On any given night, I think we can win; we have the talent too,’’ Potter said. “We’re gunning for one of those top two spots. You have to be realistic but I still think that’s going to happen. I really do. I think good things are about to happen for us.’’
