NEOSHO — One of the area’s premier forwards, Neosho 2018 Caitlyn Jordan is gearing up for a big senior season after suffering an injury.
A versatile 5’10 forward, Jordan is coming off a strong offseason competing for Yanders Law. She has the ability to handle the ball a little from the perimeter, shoot from the outside or get in the paint and work over opposing post players.
SWMOBasketball recently caught up with Jordan and asked her about her senior season.
SWMO — How would you describe your game to people who haven’t seen you play?
Caitlyn — I would say I’m a very versatile player that can play whatever position is needed. I like to shoot the 3, but driving to the basket is how I primarily score. I also try to get my teammates involved offensively to shift the ball around.
SWMO — Tell us about your summer experience and how you grew as a player.
Caitlyn — This summer I spent a lot of time in the gym working on tight ball handling, and really working on my shot from outside. I didn’t get to play over the summer due to injury so I focused on perfecting the little things like being shot ready at all times, lifting my elbow everytime, and other things which has helped me become a better overall player.
SWMO — Tell about the upcoming high school season, a little about your team and expectations.
Caitlyn — I’m expecting big things from the team this year, we have 6 seniors who have all had a substainal amount of varsity time. We’ve all been in the gym getting shots up so I’m excited for us to finally get a chance to showcase our shooting. We lack size but defensively we make up for it in quickness and athleticism, and pride ourselves in toughness. I think we will win a lot of games this year if we play like we know how to.
SWMO — Who is the team or player that you look forward to playing this next season the most and why?
Caitlyn — I’m really looking forward to playing Carl Junction this season In the fall league we took them to overtime and lost due to some mistakes, but I feel that if we keep them off the boards we can win. They’re great competition and really challenge us defensively inside so it is always fun to play against them.
SWMO — Who has been the biggest influence on your basketball career and tell us why?
Caitlyn — My high school coach, Coach Berendt, has had the biggest impact on my career because he was the one who really pushed me outside my comfort zone freshman year and had me start working on being more of a guard which has opened up my options as a player. He pushes me to do better everyday, in every drill we do, and to never be satisfied with what I’ve accomplished.
SWMO — Who do you enjoy watching play basketball (professional, college, whoever) and why? Have you been able to take anything they do well and implement it in your own game?
Caitlyn — I really enjoy watching college basketball because they tend to focus a lot on the small things: moving the basketball, attacking the defense, flying around defensively, all things that my coach preaches to us, so I feel like it is a great learning tool. One of my favorite players to watch was Frank Mason at Kansas because despite being smaller he still attacked the basket hard to draw a foul, and I try to do the same thing. I’ve really focused on getting to the basket and finishing through contact to get to the free throw line.
SWMO — What are some things in your game you are working on?
Caitlyn — I’m really working on perfecting my ball handling because there are times I have to run point for my team so really working on keeping the ball tight to my body and low. I’m also working on being more explosive on drives and finishing through contact, getting to the line a lot is a goal of mine for this season.
