Foes Struggle to Keep Up With Joens

It’s never easy being the new kid on the block.

And it may be even harder in the world of sports, where respect and acceptance is often based on performance.

Compound that by being a freshman and the replacement for an injured teammate who is not only one of the team’s top players but also popular among her teammates.

That gives you some idea of the pressure faced by Woodbridge freshman forward Cathy Joens the last three months.

Joens, 15, was prepared to spend most of this season watching and learning, grabbing minutes whenever the defending state champions had a game in hand.

But when starting forward Krissy Duperron went down with a knee injury on Dec. 30, Joens (pronounced Jones; the spelling is German), had to step in quicker than the Warriors anticipated.

She has responded well. While still primarily coming off the bench--she has only started two games--Joens, 5 feet 9, is getting 20 minutes a game, averaging 7.9 points and 8.3 rebounds.

She is a great complement to Woodbridge standouts Melanie Pearson and Erin Stovall, helping to provide the depth the Warriors (31-2) feel they’ll need to defend their state championship Friday against Sacramento El Camino in the Arco Arena in Sacramento.

“I’m not surprised at what she is capable of doing,” Woodbridge Coach Pat Quinn said. “Krissy getting hurt gave her an opportunity to play. Most freshmen don’t expect to contribute on a team whose players they’ve looked up to, but with Cathy, it’s been a quick blooming.”

Joens said the success she’s had could not have happened without the acceptance and assistance of her teammates, especially Duperron and Pearson.

“I don’t know too many scoring moves,” Joens said. “But when Krissy got hurt, I knew I had to step up. And she helps. Whenever she sees me get frustrated out there, she tells me a move to do.

“I know it’s been hard on her, not being able to play.”

Joens said the team’s camaraderie has made it easy for her and fellow freshman Debby Caine to develop as players.

“My older sister, Catherine, plays on the varsity soccer team,” Joens said. “And when she was a freshman, the seniors there weren’t too willing to accept freshmen. But here, the seniors have gone out of their way to make me and Debby feel part of the team. They take us everywhere because we can’t drive.

“I will remember this when I get to be a senior. Without them, Debby and I would not have had much fun.”

It’s only recently that basketball has become Joens’ favorite sport. Soccer was always big on her agenda, but when she got to Woodbridge she learned she would not be able to play both.

Coming from a family of nine, Joens knew something about having to make sacrifices. She also recognized a family atmosphere when she saw one.

The Warrior basketball team had one from the start.

“I got to play with them during the summer,” Joens said, “and they included me in everything. It made the game so much fun.”

Senior guard Tami Weaver said Joens’ personality and ability made her acceptance easy.

“She’s so funny,” Weaver said. “And she had the skills to fit right in. Her most outstanding skill is rebounding. She just boards like crazy.

“She brings a lot of energy to the team. She’s not a cocky player. In fact, she’s one of the sweetest people I’ve ever played with. It could have been difficult to get this far without Krissy, but Cathy has shown her maturity.”

When Woodbridge won its third consecutive Southern Section Division II title two weeks ago, Joens was blissfully unaware of all the fuss.

“Melanie said I didn’t realize how big a deal it was to win [the section], and she was right,” Joens said. “At first I didn’t know how big a deal the state title was, but now I realize it’s a bigger deal than I thought.”

Joens said there is a chance Duperron could return to the court for Friday’s championship game. She participated in passing and shooting drills Tuesday, and if she can scrimmage at all she could resume her place in the Woodbridge rotation.

Quinn is not that sure. “We probably won’t make a decision about Krissy until game time. I need to see how she can move, see the look in her eye. Right now I wouldn’t make any predictions.”

But if Duperron can and does play, nothing would make Joens happier. After all, her season has already exceeded her expectations.