Jessie Stomski
6'3 center/power forward
Freshman Sophomore
Stomski was considered to be
number two of the exceptional group of freshmen that entered the Badger
program in 1998. It took her five games to beat out senior Amy
Wiersma for the starting center job and she never looked back once she
got there. She was remarkable consistent for a freshman as she scored
in double figures in 17 consecutive games (including all 16 league games)
and was in the top two in in the league field goal percentage all year.
Jessie has impressive post moves and a game facing the basket that will
make her move to power forward next year a natural one. Her jump
shot is good to about 17 feet and she can drive past post players who come
out to guard that shot. Stomski set Wisconsin freshman records for
single game and season scoring, field goal percentage, free throws made
in a game and a season, field goals made in a season and she tied LaTonya
Sims' freshman rebounding record. Jessie is a strong, physical player
who can bang with the best of them. But she is slow and she'll need
to add any quickness possible as she moves away from the basket.
Initially, she played decent defense. But as the season progressed,
her defense became lunging at entry passes and giving up easy baskets when
she missed the ball. She needs to improve her defense and also commit
fewer fouls. Jessie had the normal freshman post player problems
with fouls, and at times that really hurt the team. She also needs
the occasional reminder to work hard for rebounds. Stomski needs
to work on her right hand. She's a southpaw who shoots virtually
everything with that hand. Even the threat of a right handed shot
will make her more effective and will allow her to pivot both ways more
comfortably. Throughout the year, she was one of the more emotionally
level players on the team, but she admitted she had a difficult time shaking
off the effects of a bad performance at the Big 10 tournament. Right
now, she needs a little more maturity to be able to do that and some conditioning.
I'm not real sure how teams will handle her and post-mate Nina Smith next
year. It'll probably be fun for Wisconsin fans to watch though.
Honors: 1999 Big
10 Freshman of the Year, second team all Big 10 (media), honorable
mention all Big-10 (coaches)
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