Last year, sophomore Jessica Welch didn’t have any doubts that she would make the junior varsity basketball team.

Coach Maggie Dyer thought she was good enough for varsity as a freshman.

Despite the suprising bump-up to varsity, Welch transitioned smoothly and has grown into one of the smartest, most poised members of the team. Since her call-up she has been putting up exceptional numbers and is one of the main reasons the team has won their third 4A West division title in a row.

“It felt pretty amazing to make the team last year as a freshman,” Welch said. “I was really happy to be able to play with the girls I played with, and it felt great knowing that I was contributing as a freshman as well.”

Last year, Welch saw time on the court in every game of the season. She was the third-leading scorer on the team, averaging 5.6 points per game. Welch’s most impressive statistic was her team-leading 35% shooting from beyond the arc.

This season, Welch’s role in the offense has expanded. She is second on the team in points and assists. Welch is a major factor on both ends of the court; she leads the team with 31 steals this season.

“Jessica is a crucial player on our team,” senior teammate Chelsea Craig said. “She controls the game as a point guard, and her threes help swing momentum and give little sparks of energy to the team.”

This year, she has played a key part in many of the team’s wins this season. On Jan. 31, she contributed 18 points in a 60-51 victory over Quince Orchard. In the game against Churchill, her 13 points made the difference in a close 35-33 win.

“One of the team goals we had for this season was to win the division again,” Welch said. “But we also hope to go to and win states.”

Now that they have captured the division they can focus their attention on the playoffs. The girls’ team frequently appeared in Washington Post’s Top 20 rankings at the beginning of the season, and they are still looking strong with a 18-4 record.

Welch’s individual goals this season were to improve her shooting and ball handling skills, two areas where she has shown promise this year. Welch is shooting 62% from the free throw line this season and she has already surpassed her point total from last year.

“Jessica is a great player with a lot of skill,” sophomore teammate Gabby Flinchum said. “She is also very supportive of her teammates. She is just an all-around good person.”

While Welch has had great success on the court, her teammates rave about her as a wonderful teammate.

“Jess never has anything bad to say about anyone and is the ideal teammate,” Craig said. “She is always there to pick everyone up and she never lets the crowd or anything in the game get to her; she always stays positive and just keeps playing.”