Your future, our focus
Thinking back to those old U.S. Army recruiting pitches of “Be All You Can Be,” the Northwest College women’s basketball team lived it last Saturday afternoon.
Competing in a home game away from home at Sweitzer Gym in Cody, the Lady Trappers handily defeated the Wyoming All-Stars 77-57.
In a season that has been marked by on-court angst, NWC won just its second game of the season, starting quickly and recording a pull-away second quarter.
“We were all just hyped and full of energy,” said guard Taylor Groll, whose 10 points off the bench helped key that 10-minute period along with Melissa Martinez, who bagged 16 points.
“I think we’re definitely getting better at so many little things.”
The Trappers led 20-11 after the first quarter and 46-23 at halftime as coach Camden Levett liberally used substitutions.
Forward Berkley Larsen (12 points) and Juliana Ribeiro (10 rebounds), also made major contributions and 11 players who saw time scored.
“It was good getting a win,” Levett said. “We executed pretty well. We did a good job finding our shooters. Everybody played and everybody rebounded. We’re putting everything together and learning how to win.”
That victory habit did not carry over to Monday night however. Against Rocky Mountain JV in Billings, the Trappers fell 70-60.
NWC takes a 2-12 record into a holiday break, next playing at home in Powell Jan. 5 against Williston State.
Larsen said perhaps the most important thing the young Trappers, with eight freshmen, need to work on is defense.
“I think we can use some work on defense,” she said. “We haven’t jelled in our defense. We’ll get there.”
Larsen said she had fun against the All-Stars, not only because Northwest won, but because she got to play against close friend and former coach Kennedy Allen from when they were both in Utah.
“She taught me all the moves,” Larsen said. “Just keeping a positive attitude and to keep working.”
Martinez was particularly explosive, hitting four 3-point shots, and said the team’s first win since Nov. 13 was a confidence booster.
“We never got down on ourselves,” Martinez said.