We saw Kinnetz this entire game but she didn’t show up until the end of the third when she hit a big three off of a screen. Other than that, she did her job throughout. She kept moving, she cut off of the ball, she screened using her body – opening up her teammates to the middle of the floor, and most importantly – she didn’t really turn it over in any big situations. The Guard play is going to be the thing that carries Johnston to another 5A Title tomorrow night so I’m expecting Kinnetz to show out with one game left in her high school career. You could tell that she was frustrated with some situations on the floor so I can’t wait to see how she responds with one more game on the line before she takes her talents to the D2 level.

It’s nice to see Jaliyah Kinnetz on the floor once against for the Johnston Dragons. The Dragons have had their challenges this Winter but they have braved the storm and put together an undefeated mark up until this point without Kinnetz. Now that she is back, this just add’s to their fire power in all aspects at the guard position. Last night, the Dragons took on Marian High School from Nebraska at a neutral location and they did they thing, winning by 20+ when the final buzzer sounded. In this battle Kinnetz was one fire. She was 6/6 from three point and 8/8 from the field in total for 22 points. You could call this a coming out party on the season for Kinnetz. She showed what she can really do and this group is going to be able to ride this momentum moving into the Post season. There is no doubt about it.

J.K.J has recently committed to D2 – Missouri Western to continue on her basketball journey following this Winter at Johnston High School. This is a big get for this program as Kinnetz is someone that could make an instant impact at the D2 level with her mixture of athletic ability, skill, and aggressive demeanor. She is going to be looking to make her mark as soon as she steps onto campus and I wouldn’t be shocked if that was the case. This is a situation where Kinnetz might play almost right away but we will see. She has a shifty handle, an understanding of how to kill her individual matchup, and a willingness to becoming the best version of herself at all times. If she stays dedicated like that, who knows what should might end up doing over the rest of her career.

JKJ just received another offer from Missouri Western to continue on following her Senior year at Johnston High School. JKJ will be a vital piece to her Dragons program this Winter if they want to make a run at the State Tournament come February 2026. The Dragons will rely on mostly guard play in big moments so it’ll be interesting to see how they adapt to that from years past. As it pertains to JKJ, she has proven that she can carry her team when needed. She can put up buckets in a hurry from all over, she can create and distribute, and she can play on or off the ball offensively. When you combined that all together, you get a respectable prospect at the collegiate level so as long as she continues to keep progressing, she will be in a great spot moving into the next level.

I received some texts on Friday morning from a handful of collegiate coaching staffs that were in attendance to see Jaliyah Kinnetz-Jenkins Jaliyah Kinnetz-Jenkins 5'9" | PG Johnston | 2026 State IA and company compete down in the Texas. Each of those coaches were thoroughly impressed with what the smooth moving PG brought to the floor. On multiple occasions she was diving deep into her skill-set and pulling out all the stops. At times she would rebound and take it coast-to-coast for simple looks in transition. Other times she would get down the floor as a SG and line up a bucket from deep off the catch. When she gets to the next level she will be more sized to be a PG but as an overall guard, Kinnetz-Jenkins did a good job today of showing up in Texas for Day 1.

Jaliyah Kinnetz is one of the most underrated prospects that the state of Iowa has to offer out of the 2026 Class. Kinnetz is a Top 15 player for her Class and she demonstrated that last night on both ends with her Dragons squad. Kinnetz got to her spots offensively off the dribble, she made jumpers from deep when she was open, she stuck in front of her opponent on defense, and she competed with high energy throughout the entire contest. When the 3rd quarter came and the Dragons made a big run, Kinnetz was a vital part of that. She made some big shots and she created some tough turnovers defensively. Two things that really helped lead their group to victory.

The Johnston Dragons are going to come back this Winter after an undefeated run a season ago. Someone who will return with them in a starting position is PG – J Kinnetz. Kinnetz is a Top 15 prospect out of the state in her 2026 Class, while being a future collegiate athlete. She is someone that has the ability to go crazy in the scoring department in the blink of an eye, she can move the ball quickly in transition with her handle, and she is scrappy defensively. The Dragons are going to have a tough road ahead this Winter with a target on their backs but they are ready for that pressure. They understand pressure is a privilege and they are going to do their best to live up to their own expectations.

Jaliyah Kinnetz might only have moved up one spot in this Update from #13 to #12 but any movement within this age-level is impressive with how talented everyone is. Kinnetz would be described as a PG with a great feel for the game, the ability to control the tempo of her team, and she possesses fantastic vision in both the full and half courts when she is looking to create. There is no doubt that this is a future collegiate prospect. I’m not sure at what level as of yet but right now she holds an offer or two with more on the way this upcoming high school season I’m sure.

Jaliyah Kinnetz scooped up an offer a few weeks ago from Lincoln University, an HBCU and D2 program out of Missouri. This may be the first offer for Kinnetz but it won’t be the last. Other than every other D3 school wanting her on their squad throughout Iowa, Kinnetz would be considered a scholarship player. She should be getting looks from all over the Midwest at the D2 level with her ability to handle, create, facilitate, rebound, and lead. The two next years for the Johnson Dragons, Kinnetz will be one of their main starting guards. If she plays to her full capabilities, she is going to thrive and that will help her individual recruitment, along with her team’s chances at bringing home back-to-back State Titles.

Jaliyah Kinnetz of Johnston High School moves up to #13 throughout the state of Iowa in the 2026 Class moving into her month of July with her Iowa Battlers program. Kinnetz is a Point Guard with a smooth handle, quick instincts, a solid shooting ability on rotation, and she is tough to stay in front of once she ends up attacking down hill. This AAU season she has shown on several occasions that she can be the best on the floor vs some impressive competition. Moving into the Winter, Kinnetz will start again for her Dragons program after coming off of an undefeated season a year ago. If she plays her game and everyone else plays to their full capabilities, they will have a chance to repeat as back to back 5A State Champs this upcoming year.