Photo via Jimmie Athletics | DeMars (2) pictured with Tower (1)

JAMESTOWN, ND. (NewsDakota.com) – The University of Jamestown women’s basketball season officially kicks off on Thursday as the Jimmies open up the season at home against Mayville State.

Last year’s team played nearly perfect at Newman Arena, going 12-3 at home. Jamestown went 18-13 overall and 11-11 in the GPAC for a seven-seed in the conference tournament, eventually falling to national runner-up Dordt in the GPAC quarterfinals.

Kia Tower and Hannah DeMars, two of the more dominant players in UJ women’s basketball history, hit the floor for their senior seasons this year.

Tower, a native of Big Fork, Minnesota, is on the verge of hitting 1,000 points for her Jimmie career. She is currently 24th all-time in scoring for the Jimmies with 959 points, but Tower gives credit to her teammates and says she’s more focused on other aspects of the game and not reaching any milestone.

DeMars, who is currently 17th all-time with 1,093 career points, has seen the growth of the youthful bunch that surrounded her and Tower last year on the court. A freshman group who has now turned a big page to make the Jimmies a better team overall heading into 2022-23.

That young group will once again be expected to make a big impact for UJ this season. The experience of playing against GPAC competition though has Tower and DeMars excited for what is to come.

Both seniors now, Tower and DeMars looked back at their favorite memories through the first three years. It’s hard for either one of them not to think about memories made on bus rides with how spread out the conference is.

The Jimmie women’s season officially begins Thursday with a 5:00 PM tipoff from Newman Arena against Mayville State. Full coverage can be heard on Jamestown 107.1/1400, online at newsdakota.com, or on the Jamestown 107.1 app. Our Jimmie women’s basketball preview continues Tuesday with Head Coach Thad Sankey.

FULL INTERVIEW WITH KIA AND HANNAH