Jenessa led Ishpeming in scoring at the Breslin Center, and her performances were crucial to the team securing its second D4 State Championship in three years. Jenessa started with 20 points, four rebounds, and three steals in the semifinals against Morenci, then added a double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds in the State Championship Game. She buried several smooth pull-up jumpers from different spots and distances inside the arc. Jenessa took a steal the other way with speed and scored with a confident left-handed finish. She drove by a defender with a dribble burst, then scored an athletic stretch layup in traffic. Her confident shooting, athleticism, and ability to penetrate off the bounce gave the Hematites an advantage.

Jenessa earned first-team all-conference honors as a freshman during Ishpeming’s 16-7 season. As a sophomore, she was a crucial contributor to her team’s 28-1 record and memorable postseason run. She performed at her best on the brightest stage for Ishpeming in the D4 State Finals. Jenessa unleashed her full arsenal to help the Hematites secure their first state championship in a 73-54 win vs. Kingston. She wrote her name in the MHSAA record books by scoring 27 points in a State Championship game, 15 in a single quarter, and making five three-pointers in a State Finals game. Jenessa earned a D4 All-Breslin Team selection and First Team All-State honors. As a Junior, she became the perennial star, averaging 21.6 points (48% FG%), 6.2 rebounds, and four assists per game. Ishpeming moved up to Division Three for the season, and Jenessa guided the Hematitites to an 18-6 record, losing to eventual State Semifinalist Calumet 51-43 in the District Finals. She was recognized as First Team All-State by the Associated Press, BCAM, and the Detroit Free Press. As a senior, Jenessa has been unstoppable for Ishpeming, averaging 24.7 points, six rebounds, 3.9 steals, and 3.8 assists per game. Her complete impact has led Ishpeming to a 19-2 record with statement wins against Negaunee, Gladstone, Hancock, Calumet, Baraga, and Munising. They enter the postseason as a D4 favorite to make it back to the State Semifinals. I’ve seen Jenessa compete on the travel circuit, in showcases, and in high school games. She’s a dynamic playmaker who has explosive quickness driving to the basket, can score at all three-levels, finish acrobatic layups, torch the nets from beyond the arc, rack up steals with her aggressive ball-pressure, create shots for teammates, and chase down breakaways in a dead sprint to block shots out of bounds. Jenessa owns the school record for three-pointers made in a season with 74 and became Ishpeming’s all-time leading scorer (boys and girls) in December with more than 1,379 career points. She will continue her basketball career at Michigan Tech following graduation.

Jenessa became Ishpeming’s all-time girls and boys scoring leader with 1,379 career points during a 40-25 win vs. Jeffers. She turned in an MVP-caliber performance at the Zero Star Basketball Showcase in June and is a great addition to Michigan Tech’s 2026 recruiting class.

Janessa was the heart and soul of Ishpeming last season, earning First Team All-State honors after an outstanding junior campaign. The experienced guard filled the stat sheet night after night, averaging 21.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and three steals per game while knocking down 37 percent of her shots and converting 79 percent from the free throw line. Her steady leadership and scoring ability helped guide Ishpeming to an impressive 18-6 record. As she enters her senior season, Janessa’s blend of skill, poise, and competitiveness will once again make her one of the top players to watch in Division 3.

Jenessa is an Ishpeming prospect whose dominant performances during the D4 State Finals in 2024 helped inspire this showcase. Her qualities that burned bright at the Breslin were on full display at the Zero Star Showcase. Jenessa started strong by burying three-pointers at a high rate from the wings and corners during shooting drills. She made a great dump-off assist driving downhill after a dribble hand-off during the 2v2 segment. Jenessa’s abilities and athleticism separated her during the games. She drove with a burst downhill to score many contested layups off one and two feet. Her length and quickness closed passing windows and driving lanes on the defensive end. Jenessa buried corner threes, used explosive crossover-jab dribbles to create separation from defenders, and secured rebounds. She threw passes on a rope to open teammates and finished layups through contact off hard cuts to the basket. Jenessa drove hard from the wing, initiated contact with her shoulder, and changed hands quickly in the air to convert a tough, contested layup off two feet. She asserted herself all day, earning recognition as a Top Performer and securing an offer from Michigan Tech.

Jenessa was a huge reason why Ishpeming won the State Championship in 2024, and she’s continued to prove herself as a talented college prospect since. Jenessa is an ultra-competitor who doesn’t quit on a play. Her athleticism and competitiveness show up when she chases down breakaways to block shots and steal the ball. Jenessa has an explosive second gear when she drives downhill and can take over games from three-point distance. Her recruiting has taken off since May, and she is one of the headliner prospects competing at the Zero Star Showcase.

Jenessa made the All-Breslin Team two years ago when she helped Ishpeming win the D4 state championship. Her length, athleticism, relentless effort, and playmaking abilities fit the mold of a college guard. Jenessa impressed me greatly with her ‘never say die’ attitude on the court–she doesn’t quit on plays. Jenessa chased down multiple breakaways to block shots and deflect the ball out of bounds. She made a smart backdoor cut to score a layup and initiated contact with a defender before hitting a contested step-back jumper off the dribble. Jenessa swished multiple threes off the hop, scored a jump stop step-through with her left hand, and hit her teammate in stride with a perfect no-look bounce pass in transition. Jenessa created steals with her quick hands on defense, walled up to block a shot in the paint, grabbed offensive rebounds, and split defenders with her crossovers.

Jenessa passed the 1,000-point mark last week during a 54-30 win against Gwinn, pouring in 30 points for Ishpeming.

Jenessa showed her competitive fire against Gladstone last week, guarding the opposing team’s top prospect and keeping her team in the game with her efforts on offense. Jenessa buried multiple crossover dribble step-back 3s and drained five triples on the night. She tacked on free throws with sound shooting mechanics and took a defensive rebound coast to coast in transition to score a strong layup against a taller defender. Jenessa hustled to jump up for a block on a perimeter shot and secured rebounds for the Hematites. She finished the game with 22 points and had an outstanding night.