Marlboro’s Jetta Stephens is playing her final season on the girls’ basketball team, having joined the squad as freshman.

She started then and has continued to start for the Dukes. As a freshman, Stephens went to the state Class B final four with the Dukes, and she is one of two current players on the team that went to the state tournament with Marlboro.

“She’s been great. She’s been a key member of the team since her freshman year,” said Marion Appler, Marlboro’s coach. “She stepped up then and has continued to progress.”

Stephens began playing basketball in third or fourth grade after watching her siblings play the game.

“I love basketball. My brothers first played,” she said.

So after seeing her brothers play, she began to play CYO ball before eventually working her way up to playing varsity basketball for Marlboro.
“My dad signed me up for the league,” she said.

And with so much experience and starting for four years, Stephens is a captain for the Dukes this season.

“She brings the girls together,” said Appler, “and she sets an example.”
Appler said Stephens is a leader on the court and off the court. During her four seasons with the Dukes, the team has been competitive and reached the state tournament.

And she has enjoyed the experience as it comes to close soon.

“I love everyone on the team,” she said. “I love the coaches. I just have a really good time.”

After she graduates from Marlboro in June, Stephens will go to college. She is currently looking at Darthmouth, Brown or Williams College. She wants to study Bio-medical engineering, and she may possibly try to walk on to play basketball.