NWC News Desk

NWC women's basketball expects help from everyone

Grade level means nothing to Janis Beal.

The Northwest College women’s basketball coach has 13 players this season, seven of whom are freshmen. But if last season was any indication, those freshmen better be ready to play. 

Five of Beal’s six sophomores played at least 30 of the Lady Trappers’ 32 games as freshmen a year ago (sophomore Rose Sow is new to the team). Among them was guard Dana Bjorhus, who finished second on the team with 11.2 points per game while also posting 30 steals, good for fourth on the team. 

Last season’s rebounds leader, Hatti Snyder (6.3 per game) also returns after playing all 32 games in 2013-14, and experienced sophomores Sarah Nielsen, Caitlin Clancy and Mandee Christensen help round out the veteran class. 

“Our sophomores weren’t just sitting on the bench as freshmen last year. I think everyone started for us at some point last year,” Beal said. “We found roles for pretty much everyone on the team, and we let the girls contribute. 

“We have freshmen that are going to contribute again this year,” she said. “The only way to get better is to bring in players that are going to continue to push us. I expect that from our freshmen.” 

Eleven of 12 Trappers started at least one game for NWC last season. Megan Lund, who graduated, didn’t start but still played in 24 ballgames. The formula seemed to work, as the Trappers finished a positive 19-13 last winter, ultimately falling to Western Nebraska Community College 83-65 in the Region IX Tournament. 

And with the offense coming back this year (the five returning sophomores averaged a combined 6.7 points per contest last season), the Trappers are excited for what’s to come. 

“We definitely look good as a team thus far,” Bjorhus said. “We’ve had a few issues with rebounding and getting in sync with one another, but that’s going to come with time. 

Christensen, who scored at a clip of six points per game last season to go with 60 assists in 32 games (13 starts), said she sees a big difference in this year’s squad compared to the Trappers of 2013-14.

“A lot of girls from last year’s team are going to have different roles this season, and adjusting to more starts and more responsibilities and expectations is going to be key to our success,” Christensen said. “The freshmen are still learning and adjusting to the new pace of college ball, but I think the sophomore experience we have will make that a smoother transition for them.” 

Beal said that with the experience NWC possesses, she plans to run the floor with some of her more seasoned shooters. The Trappers averaged 72 points a game as a team, and Beal hopes her motion offense can sustain or improve on that this year. 

“We have plenty of offensive weapons on this team, girls that can shoot and shoot well, so we feel pretty good there,” Beal said. “We want to defend and rebound, but we also want to run the floor. We want to play to our strengths.” 

The Trappers started their regular season with an 83-66 loss to Bismarck State College on Oct. 31. The Trappers recovered however, downing Rocky Mountain College’s JV 77-55 the next day. 

Clancy had 20 points in the bounce-back win for NWC, while freshmen Aubrey Rose (14 points, four 3-pointers) and Chandler Rose (11 points) helped fuel the effort. 

“If everyone does their job, we can be right up there with the Caspers and the Sheridans in Region IX,” Beal added. “Right now, in the early going, it’s about giving girls the opportunity to mesh with one another and really earn their time on the court.”

 

Contact

Tim Carpenter
Tim.Carpenter@nwc.edu
Communications/Web & Social Media Specialist
307-754-6009