Burlington Junior Lady Demons Basketball

09/07/2026

And now, our awesome 4th Grade Coach coming all the way from South Dakota, Coach Jessica Puffer!

1. What’s your favorite team post-game treat?

Last year the common treat for the team was donuts. We had quite a few early games and it helped to get the team fired up before their second game.
My personal favorite is anything sour, sour patch kids are so good!

2. How do you help a player reset after a mistake on the court?

Remind them to stay in the moment, moving onto the next play and supporting your team. Controlling what is in front of you. During the next practice, using those moments to review, learn and teach the best option if it occurs again. There is always going to be a mistake, but its an opportunity to learn and improve.

3. What’s your favorite memory of playing basketball? OR Why do you love basketball?

My favorite memories of playing basketball are with my teammates. Traveling on the bus, cheering for one another, the changes in momentum throughout the game are great to reflect on and understand the special nature of basketball. Success truly comes from leveraging the whole team's skills, abilities and working together for a common goal.

4. What’s your favorite activity or way to build team bonds?

Having fun, spending time together and enjoying each moment. Time between games together watching other games, playing cards together, making bracelets were a good way to work together outside of basketball. Last year we shared positive words with each teammate that they could take home. They had so much fun being creative and enjoyed coming up with different ways to praise their teammates.

5. What is the most important skill or trait for our girls to be successful
on or off the court?

Working through adversity. Every part of life and in basketball there is going to be something challenging to work through. Whether shots won't fall, struggling to make passes or being behind in defense creates an opportunity to work together, find a way, and maintain a positive outlook each time.

6. How do you think basketball helps prepare our girls for the future?

Communication, quick thinking and how to be a great team player. These skills can be applied in school, home and later in all aspects of adult life. Being in sports, especially for young girls, helps them to be more successful later in life and provides a good base for their future. The practices, games and every year build upon another as well, just like any skill you want to learn. It helps create habits and build discipline to learn anything and get better every day.

09/06/2026

09/06/2026

Our 3rd Grader Balling Coach, Coach Sarah Behnke. We are excited to have you on-board!

1. Why do you love basketball?

Basketball has always been my favorite sport to play. It’s competitive and I loved to prove people wrong by my height. Either collecting a good amount of rebounds to blocking someone twice my height. Can’t go wrong by getting the fans involved when you make a half court shot or 3 pointer. It’s an aggressive sport where you leave whatever you have on the court.

2. What’s your favorite memory of playing basketball?

Gosh.. this one is a hard one because I’ve played with so many people, but I would say tying the most 3 pointers in a game (which was 8) and also getting picked to play in the WBCA my senior year. Some of those girls went to college and then to the WNBA. I have great memories with my high school team and my rec league. My rec team we played against a lot of talented girls from college players and up! I didn’t play college ball but it was fun being able to compete against girls who did or who went beyond college. Made a lot of good people on the way. Also playing 3 on 3 Gus smacked tournament and winning our division.

3. What’s your favorite team post-game treat?

I love to have chocolate milk, ice cream, or a Gatorade.

4. What’s your favorite activity or way to build team bonds?

I think Building a team bond is having everyone on the same page where you cheer one another on and give high fives. Communication is a key and helping one another out. Some activities on the court that are fun for the girls that they enjoy you do. You have to make it fun for them but also hanging outside of the court is a good bond for everyone too.

5. What is the most important skill or trait for our girls to be successful

I think one of the best skills is being a team that can work together. One person can’t make a team. So being able to get to know the game and communicate will make them become stronger players but also be able to learn from mistakes and be able to take criticism . They have to want to learn and take feedback when it’s given to them. Once they become a team and win a game, it all up from there.

6. How do you think basketball helps prepare our girls for the future?

I think basketball can prepare our girls future by being disciplined. By setting goals and working hard towards them till they can be reached. By understanding that you can’t always win but still can work hard and take accountability for your actions. That everything isn’t always going to be easy but how to get through the stress of a conflict. Some girls might come out as wanting to be leaders, wanting to be a coach or just the role to help out others.

09/04/2026

A few spots left for for most grade levels!

Register Today by Wednesday!

Know a 3rd-8th grade girl that likes sports?

🏀Basketball Builds Athletes🏀

Looking for a program that cares less about W's and more about raising a good human?

👭 We Build Teams ⛹️‍♀️

Want your daughter to feel part of a group?

🫶Teams Build Bonds🫶

09/03/2026

Coaching Spotlight Quick Six with Joe Valen!

1. What’s your favorite team post-game treat?

For 3rd Grade, it was Cheetohs (pic below) to reward players playing fast like a Cheetah.

For 4th Grade, it was Twin Snake Gummies, to reward players playing low and agressive like a Snake!

2. How do you help a player reset after a mistake on the court?

Support and Encourage them. I prioritize that over watching the next play or two to ensure players know growth and confidence come from mistakes.

3. Why do you love basketball?

I dont think there is another youth team sport that develops girls like Basketball does. The physical development prepares you for any sport, the speed of the game doesnt allow dwelling while building resilience. Lastly, the gamaeplay changes rapidingly requiring constant communication and teamwork.

4. What do you love about Junior Lady Demons program?

Hmmm. 3 reasons.

First; they prioritize practicing over play. More practices than games is best for youth development

Second; they encourage multisport athletes and dont require specialization.

I was a D1 swimmer in college, and saw far too many of my peers burnout. Went from a youth sensation nationally ranked, to not swimming there senior year of high school.

Third; Friendships. It is a longer season, which allows teams to really connect and build bonds.

5. What is the most important skill or trait for our girls to be successful on or off the court?

Confidence. The confidence to make a mistake. Confident to fail. To communicate. To make a quick decision. To be uncomfortable working hard.

6. How do you think basketball helps prepare our girls for the future?

Similiar to last question, the confidence built from youth sports is a powerful foundation to become a strong adult. The confidence to work hard, do challenging tasks, and not live with fear of failure is a cheat code to adulthood. So many leaders in the community and workplace are former athletes.

09/02/2026

Today we honor a Junior Lady Demons legend, Paula Muench-Evert. Thanks for the decades of custard, cookies and passion for girls playing our favorite sport!

In honor of Paula, Current and Future Coaches will receive a $100 stipend on equipment to help deliver the best baseketball experience in the area. Paula is passionate about being the best coach possible, and understands a coach can make or break an athletes experience. This stipend will help with fundamentals and fun!

Coaches Quick Six with Paula!

1. Favorite team post-game treat?

Custard! Going to Gillies after games at Pius is always fun!
Also, my chocolate chip cookies! I use them to motivate the girls to trying harder offensive skills during a game, even if they dont make the bucket. For example, if a girl uses a duck-under, floater, or spin move during a game, I will bring cookies for the entire team at our next practice.

2. Help a player after a mistake on the court?
No matter how I communicate with the girls, they all know that whatever means of communication I use, it is all about helping them get better.
I am not going to lie—I am loud! However, if I need to talk to a player and the game presents an opportunity, I will call the player
over to talk to them. If that is not possible, I will sub them out, talk to them, and put them right back in the game.
All of my players will tell you about my nonverbal “look.” It definitely gets the girls to focus without me having to say a word.

3. Favorite memory of playing basketball?

My favorite memory is really a multi-year progression.

In 1971–72, Title IX started to be implemented in schools. So, during my 7th- and 8th- grade years at Butler Middle School, we had GAA (Girls Athletic Association) after school basketball. We had two practices a week, and it was six-player basketball. It wasn’t great, but at least it was something.

In 1974, as a sophomore at Central High School. I didn’t know there was a girls’ basketball team until an announcement stating their game that night was their last game of the season. At that point, I knew I was going to play the following year.

During the 1974–75 season, we had to practice and play our home games at a nearby elementary school instead of at the high school. Having girls enter the competitive world of school sports evidently put a strain on the facilities, with everyone sharing gym and
pool time, as well as on the athletic budgets. Unfortunately, we had to fundraise to purchase basketballs.

My junior year, our parents were our fans and cheerleaders. They created their own halftime entertainment, and they had to bring their own snacks to every game!
The tide turned during the 1975–76 season, my senior year. We were able to practice and play in our high school gym, and our parents were no longer the only ones watching us play. We even had the band at a couple of games.

The first Wisconsin State Girls’ Basketball Tournament was held in 1976 in Madison. We were a good team and made it all the way to the sectional finals, where we lost. So close!

4. Favorite activity to build team bonds?

It is always fun to have Halloween costume-dress-up practices, a gift exchange during Christmas, play dodgeball against another JLD team, go to Flippy’s for a team dinner, and finish the season with our Family vs. Athlete basketball game.

To keep Basketball fun so last year I dressed up like LSU’s Head Coach, Kim Mulkey. I think the girls loved it. I know the director of our league did.

5. Most important skill or trait for our girls to be successful on or off the court?

A very important trait for us is to be a good teammate. Our main slogan is “TeamTogether.” To be a good teammate, we need to be positive toward each other, workhard, treat our teammates with respect, push our teammates during drills to make them
better, and, last but not least, LOVE OUR TEAM!

6. How basketball helps prepare our girls for the future?

Basketball is a team sport that relies on communication, cooperation, and trust to accomplish a common goal. Win or lose, every game ends with sportsmanship toward our teammates, our opponents and the officials.

09/01/2026

What a great opportunity for the girls. Have fun!

🏀Girls Basketball Mini Camp - Grades 3-6

Having fun while playing basketball is the focus of this camp. The camp will consist of teaching and practicing the fundamental skills of basketball. Skills will be practiced individually and in small groups. Small games of 1-on-1 and 2-on-2 will also be utilized to practice the skills taught.

🏀Grades 3 & 4🏀
Course: #390956-S1
Bring to Class: Labeled water bottle
Dates: Wednesdays | September 9-23
Time: 5:15 PM - 6:15 PM
Sessions: 3
Cost: $30.00
Instructor: Coach Jack Schmidt
Location: Karcher Middle School - Gymnasium

🏀Grades 5 & 6🏀
Course: #390956-S2
Bring to Class: Labeled water bottle
Dates: Wednesdays | September 9-23
Time: 6:15 PM - 7:15 PM
Sessions: 3
Cost: $30.00
Instructor: Coach Jack Schmidt
Location: Karcher Middle School - Gymnasium

Register: bit.ly/CEDOnlineRegistration

08/27/2026

2013 Throwback to our JLD’s supporting Varsity Basketball!

Remember this fun night?!
Janine C Morrow Tracy Tina Weis Kim SchmalfeldtElaine Koenig

08/26/2026

AHHH. 2 Weeks Left To Register!!!!

Know a 3rd-8th grade girl that likes sports?
🏀Basketball Builds Athletes🏀

Looking for an organization that cares less about W's and more about raising a good human?
👭 We Build Teams ⛹️‍♀️

Want your daughter to feel part of a group?
🫶Teams Build Bonds🫶

08/24/2026

Junior Lady Demons Throwback, 2013!

16 Days to Register for Season! Spots are filling up :)

3rd Grade Approx 4 spots left
4th Grade Approx 4 spots left
5th Grade Approx 3 spots left
6th Grade Approx 5 spots left
7th and 8th Approx 5 spots left