Kendra De Jong Seeks 4-Peat At Northwestern

by Jeff Rusack, Reporter
March 04, 2013 7:27 PM


ORANGE CITY, IA--  When you can drive down the middle, hit jumpers and play solid defense, chances are you're going to succeed on the hardwood.

And that's exactly what Kendra De Jong of the Red Raiders of Northwestern college are doing.

"I can play post or forward.. It helps with my height."  DeJong says.

De Jong only knows the taste of victory in her first three years at Northwestern.  And while she dares to not look too far down the road, she knows what to do to keep the team's winning ways continuing.

"Just with each game our goal is to play from start to finish not to have lapse. To say hey we're not playing defense well we're not rebounding or we're not getting the shots we want just from start to finish playing well and together."  De Jong says.

As a senior she feels on top of her game.

"I've just gotten more comfortable with shooting the ball and trying to drive more and being really aggressive on cutting and just wanting the ball and wanting to score."  De Jong says.

Her coach feels the effort De Jong and the rest of the team put in on a daily basis is the perfect recipe for future success.   

"I mean extremely positive, competors, kids that there's never a question about effort."  Head Coach Chris Yaw says. 

De Jong averages over 17 points and nearly 10 rebounds a game, and she see similarities with past teams.   

"I wouldn't say we are a lot different. We all have different gifts I guess."  De Jong says.>

With a chance for an NAIA 4-peat very much alive, De Jong leads the Red Raiders open the NAIA National Tournament against Mayville State on Thursday in Sioux City, Iowa at 1:45 PM.

Jeff Rusack, KDLT News, Orange City.