Manke stands tall for Freeport girls basketball

By: HSSN Staff
Wednesday, January 31, 2018 | 8:09 PM

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At 5-foot-8, Jenna Manke often gives up a few inches to the player or players she goes up against in the paint.

However, the Freeport senior power forward doesn't back down from a challenge.

Positioning and strength are a couple of Manke's calling cards in battles in and out of Section 1-4A, and they are what has fashioned her into one of the top rebounders in the area.

“I will go into games and notice someone taller from the other team and wonder how it's going to go,” Manke said.

“Against (section leader) North Catholic, they have a couple of tall girls. They may be tall, but I have to know that I am strong and can box them out. It was a physical game, but I knew I had to stand my ground inside and give it right back to them.”

Manke had 10 rebounds against the Trojanettes in last Thursday's 47-33 setback.

“We were really excited about how we played, despite the loss, because we played them a lot better than the first time,” said Manke, referring to a 60-22 loss at Freeport on Dec. 21. “We want to take that experience in case we see them again in the playoffs.”

Manke and her teammates bounced back Monday and scored a 44-38 win over section rival Knoch that lifted their section record to 8-2. The win kept Freeport in second place in the section with two games remaining.

Manke poured in a game-high 20 points and added 11 rebounds.

It was her second-highest point total of the season behind a 26-point effort in a 43-33 victory over Class 5A Kiski Area on Jan. 15. It also was her sixth double-digit rebound game.

Physical play inside sent Manke to the foul line frequently against Knoch, and she made 8 of 12 free throws to help her team secure the win.

“That was a great win for us,” Manke said.

For the season, Manke is averaging 12.4 points and 8.5 rebounds, both team bests.

While she is happy with those individual totals, the team success is something she points to with satisfaction. That success has come with several games of total team efforts, she said.

“We came in there with second place to lose, and we all played with a sense that they weren't coming into our place and taking the game from us,” Manke said.

Freeport (11-7) is hoping to make a deeper run in the WPIAL and state playoffs this year. Last season, the Yellowjackets won their first-round game in dramatic overtime fashion against Elizabeth Forward. The win also secured their spot at states.

However, losses to Blackhawk, the eventual WPIAL Class 4A runner-up, in both tournaments caused a sudden end to the campaign.

Positives abounded for Freeport heading into the offseason as only one player was lost to graduation.

“Rebounding was my main focus in the offseason, becoming more of an inside threat,” Manke said. “The other four starters and whoever else is in the game have proven to be good shooters, so I want to do what I can to get the rebounds for them.”

Freeport coach Fred Soilis said when Manke gets determined, she shifts her game to a different gear.

“A lot of the time, it's not anything I or the other coaches say,” Soilis said. “I can say a few things, but something kicks in internally with her. She becomes very focused. She gets emotional out there on the court, but she's not a vocally emotional person.”

Now that second place has been secured, Manke said the team's goal is to finish the regular season strong and improve its playoff-seed resume in the eyes of the WPIAL committee.

They hope to shake off Tuesday's 44-35 nonsection loss to Shady Side Academy with Thursday's section game at Deer Lakes. Freeport won the first meeting 53-41 on Jan. 16.

In addition to Monday's section finale against Burrell, the Yellowjackets take on Class 5A Hampton on Friday. The Talbots are 14-3 overall and lead their section with a 10-0 mark.

Sophomore Madeline Clark scored a team-best 14 points against Shady Side and averages 10.1 points.

Fellow sophomore Sidney Shemanski is averaging 10.2 points. She scored 10 against Knoch on Monday.

“We have Deer Lakes and Burrell coming up in section, and we want to finish strong,” Manke said.

Michael Love is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at mlove@tribweb.com or via Twitter @Mlove_Trib.

Tags: Freeport