Jonathan Alder’s Jillian Jakse prepares to drive the ball during the Division II state championship game in Akron last year. Pictured in the background is on-deck batter Marlee Jacobs. The Lady Pioneers hope they can defend their Division II state title if the 2020 season is allowed to begin. (Journal-Tribune photo by Sam Dillon)
Health conditions have really caused problems for Jillian Jakse’s senior sports seasons at Jonathan Alder High School.
Up until this year, Jakse had been a stellar two-sport athlete in softball and basketball for the Lady Pioneers.
As a third baseman, her booming bat (more than a .500 average with 15 homers) helped propel JA to the Division II state championship a year ago.
She was also a key member of the 2018-19 D-II district runner-up hoop squad as she averaged 5.3 points and 4.3 rebounds per game.
A herniated disc in her back, however, kept Jakse on the sidelines for the entire 2019-20 roundball campaign.
The global coronavirus pandemic may do the same to her softball plans.
The Journal-Tribune recently talked by telephone to Jakse about her hard-luck senior year.
Softball is Jakse’s best sport, as she will continue her diamond career at Youngstown State University.
However, she also enjoys hoops and thought her back injury would heal in time for her to at least play in a few games toward the end of the regular season and into the tournament.
That didn’t happen.
Instead, she was limited to sitting on the bench and helping out in other ways as the Lady Pioneers claimed a district title.
“I really wanted to play basketball this past season,” said Jakse. “However, I began to think it would be best to play it safe for softball.”
Jakse attended team practices and also kept statistics during games.
“I’m thankful that Coach (Steve) Cawley allowed me to still be a part of the team,” she said.
Her back is healed and Jakse is ready to swing her powerful bat.
The COVID-19 pandemic, however, leads on the scoreboard against sports teams on all levels around the world.
Schools and related activities, including sports, have been shut down in the state of Ohio since the middle of March.
Whether schools will reopen and sports be reinstated early in the month of May remains to be seen.
“It’s tough to think that your senior season could be taken from you because of this,” said Jakse, who will study civil engineering at Youngstown State. “I know it’s all about health, but it still hurts.
“It’s not the way you would want your high school career to end.”
Jakse said being a part of the basketball and softball programs at Jonathan Alder has been very good for her.
“There has been a sense of unity between myself and my teammates in both sports,” she said. “We always came together as one and I’m going to miss that.”
Jakse said the softball team has especially been a tight-knit group.
“I’m really going to miss it if we can’t play some type of season,” she said. “I’m especially going to miss the other seniors such as Emily (Walker), Lindsey (Potter), Cierra (Clark) and Kelsey (McDonald).”
Like most spring athletes, Jakse has been working to stay in shape just in case some type of abbreviated season can begin next month.
“I’ve been taking it a little slow by hitting off a tee,” she said. “My back feels pretty good and I think most of us will be ready to go (if games are played).”
The Lady Pioneer slugger said she would like to see the 2020 campaign begin in early May and finish sometime later in June.
“I’ve heard that’s a possibility, but everything is subject to change,” she said.
“We would love to have the opportunity to defend our state championship,” said Jakse.
“We’re hoping we can … we just want to get out and play.”
Jillian Jakse muscles up a shot in a Division II district tournament basketball game during her junior season. Jakse was sidelined for her senior season of hoops due to a herniated disc in her back. (Journal-Tribune photo by Sam Dillon)