DENNIS — It’s a crisp Friday around 9 a.m. and school is out to commemorate Veterans Day. Most students are probably still in bed or enjoying the start of a three-day weekend. But Nauset’s Jordyn Streitmatter is on the basketball court at the Church of the Nazarene in Dennis alongside 11 other high school basketballers, including Warriors teammate Gabby Foster.
“I love seeing improvement,” says Streitmatter, who lives in Brewster. “It makes me push myself harder. I just want to get better every time I step on the court.”
She’s doing everything she can to help Nauset improve on last year’s 5-15 mark. The warriors haven’t had a winning season since her freshman year. “This is my senior season, and I’m committed to us playing better,” she says.
This group of hoopers has been working hard in the off-season with Ben Vaneria, who runs Swish Cape Cod, the region’s premier private basketball training sessions. Vaneria, a former Barnstable High School star, runs individual and group sessions.
“Jordyn’s enthusiasm is infectious,” says Vaneria. “She loves to be challenged and held accountable by her coaches and teammates. She’s a true leader and standard setter. She’s very selective with her trust, energy, and attention. But once you’re in her inner circle, there’s a depth to her and she makes you feel special.”
The girls are prepping for a scrimmage. It’s going to be fast paced, as the Church of the Nazarene court is tiny compared to a regulation basketball court.
The two teams zip back and forth in a game that would end at 121-108. Streitmatter’s team led most of the way before being overtaken in the second half, thanks in part to Foster’s 36 points.
Foster is headed to Framingham State to play basketball and lacrosse next season, while Streitmatter is still fielding interest from teams across the Eastern Seaboard.
She participated in the Best of the Best Showcase at Babson College on Sept. 17, putting on a laser show from three-point range. She has been working to improve all facets of her game with Swish through shooting reps, strength, and conditioning.
“I don’t want to have any bad games this season,” says Streitmatter. “I don’t want anyone feeling upset after a game and thinking we could’ve done more.”
During the scrimmage, Streitmatter showcases what has college coaches looking to get her commitment for next year. She can push the ball and, despite her lack of size, get to the rim. She’s been doing drills where she’s hit with a blocking pad or forced to attack live defenders, and the result is a highly confident offensive player who is finishing with more regularity around the basket. She has solid court vision and a strong shot from three-point range, and she can sink her free throws. And she has fun doing it. She’s always smiling.
But she’s also hard on herself: a few muttered swear words, a frustrated slap of the wall after a missed layup. She takes responsibility for improvement and putting it into play.
“Even though we haven’t had the best seasons lately, I want people to see that we never give up,” she says. “I want everyone to see that we pushed ourselves to the end.”
The Warriors open their season on Dec. 8 at home against Plymouth North.
Mahoney, Crowell at State Championships
Nauset junior Madeline Mahoney and senior Will Crowell competed at the MIAA Division 2 State Championship Meet at Devens on Nov. 18.
Mahoney placed 19th overall out of 184 runners in the girls 5,000 meters with a time of 20:18.36. Crowell finished 99th in the boys 5,000 meters with a time of 18:00.37.
Upcoming games
Thursday, Nov. 23
Football: The Warriors host Dennis-Yarmouth Regional for the annual Thanksgiving Day game at 10 a.m.
