'Definitely didn't expect this': Kent State basketball's Jenna Batsch makes most of opportunity

KENT — College athletic careers gradually trend upward over a period of time.

In Jenna Batsch's case, it feels like it has skyrocketed in a matter of seconds.

Look at where the Kent State basketball player was at this time a year ago. Batsch had just completed her second season with the Golden Flashes. She averaged 3.1 points and just over 11 minutes a game off the bench for a team that reached the WNIT.

Look at where Batsch is now. Her 32nd straight start of the season will come at Notre Dame on Saturday when the Flashes and Fighting Irish meet in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. She averages 13.4 points — the largest scoring increase this season in the Mid-American Conference.

What would have Batsch said to anyone who predicted this a year ago?

"I just might have told them they were crazy," Batsch said. "I definitely didn't expect this type of season for myself.

"I knew the team was capable of something like this. I knew that we could win the MAC and go to the NCAA Tournament. That was the ultimate goal for all of us, but I definitely didn't expect this season for myself. I hoped for it, but I wouldn't say I expected it."

Those who know Batsch are not so surprised.

Head coach Todd Starkey said Batsch is the most improved player in the MAC. He saw promising signs during her first two seasons. All that was needed was a little refinement.

When a starter's spot opened this season, Starkey gave Batsch a chance.

"That combined with her significant hard work led to the opportunity," Starkey said. "We always talk about preparing for your opportunity. When it happens, then you're ready for it.

"That's a perfect example of Jenna. She really worked for two years to prepare for this. The opportunity came, and she took full advantage of it."

Batsch was able to get accustomed to her new role last summer during Kent State's trip to Greece. The Flashes won two games against local teams while they were there.

"I was in the starting five in the games over there," Batsch said. "That helped. I was able to play against a team in another uniform with the starting five. I would say I adjusted pretty quickly."

Batsch likely won't be fazed by playing in the NCAA Tournament for the first time. She scored 16 points in her second game as a starter at defending national champion LSU. She also scored 13 points in a game at Florida State.

What has helped Batsch make a such a big jump?

“Her confidence," sophomore guard Dionna Gray said. "She's been capable of exactly what she's been doing. She's just got more confidence in herself, and she's been able to execute that. She's done phenomenal this season. We're really proud of her.”

In addition to her scoring spike, Batsch has become the Flashes' best defender. One of her biggest challenges of the season will come Saturday when she faces Notre Dame freshman phenom Hannah Hidalgo. The Naismith Player of the Year semifinalist averaged 23.3 points a game to lead the Atlantic Coast Conference.

"Trying to keep her contained is obviously going to be a very tough task, but I think that's something players in the MAC have prepared me and the whole team for," Batsch said. "The MAC has some really good guards.

"I can do what I can, but it really takes the whole team to guard players like that. We talked about building a wall in transition and slowing her down because she's really fast. It's going to take all five, but it will be a tough task."

One person who would have loved to see Batsch's rise at Kent State is Darnell Parker, her high school coach at Loveland near Cincinnati.

Parker coached Batsch and her team during the 2020-21 season while battling Stage 4 colon and liver cancer. He died in 2022.

"He played a huge role in my basketball career," Batsch said. "He's a big reason I got to where I am right now.

"A lot of my time in college after he passed, I've wanted to fight for him, play for him and do it for him. He was a motivator for me, and I think he'd be really proud."

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This article originally appeared on The Repository: Jenna Batsch's huge jump helps Kent State reach NCAA Tournament