Iowa freshman Jennings lives up to hype in GTL debut

By Ben Ross, The Gazette

NORTH LIBERTY - Whitney Jennings said she didn't know what she was getting herself into with the Game Time League.

The reigning Miss Basketball in Indiana is a 5-foot-5 freshman who averaged 32 points a game her senior year. Now an Iowa freshman, she got her first taste of basketball in Iowa on Wednesday night in a 96-93 victory for her Blendcard team over Marion Iron Company/Vinton Merchants.

'I didn't really know what it was about,” Jennings said. 'I heard we had to play in it, but I didn't know what to expect.”

Jennings' first minutes on the court gave Iowa fans a chance to see the future of the Hawkeye program. If comparisons drawn between Jennings and a former Iowa women's star ring true, then the state of the program is likely in good hands for the next four years.

'Is that Jaime Printy?” was heard from more than one fan at the North Liberty Community Center whenever Jennings drove with ball, made a no-look pass or chucked it up long from 5 feet beyond the 3-point line.

Jennings had a shaky start, netting just 4 points in the first half on eight shots and going 2 of 4 from the free-throw line. The point guard was cold the first 10 minutes of the second half, too, but after her team gave up a 12-point lead, she turned it on.

Jennings scored six straight points and assisted on the next two shots, both 3-point baskets.

Blendcard was up two before Hawkeye center Bethany Doolittle made two free throws with 7 seconds left.

Jennings the took a pass under the hoop with the score tied at 93. She drove and heaved up a long-range as time expired. Splash.

In her debut as an Iowa basketball player, Jennings made a buzzer-beating, game-winning 3-pointer. Stunned spectators were silent for a few moments after the shot.

One person, however, wasn't that surprised.

'I knew Whitney was a great player, great point guard, quick as all get out, and can shoot the ball,” said Iowa's Kali Peschel. 'Coaches told us a little bit about her, but you see stuff on social media, and she's just a stud.”

All Jennings' 10 second-half points came in the last 10 minutes, which could be why she was so eager to take the game-winning shot when she had the chance.

'I was kind of due for a shot. It was nice to finally hit one,” Jennings said.

l Comments: ben.ross@thegazettecompany.com