Dec. 12, 2007

Final Stats

If it wasn't for Seward County, Kan. Community College, the Northeastern Junior College (NJC) Plainswomen basketball team would have finished the 2007 schedule undefeated.

NJC competed in the Seward County Classic last weekend, and recorded a 1-1 mark. On Friday the Plainswomen took on Seward County and lost, 72-59.

NJC came right back on Saturday to handle Dodge City, Kan., Community College, 67-38, to close out the 2007 schedule with a 12-2 record. The Plainswomen are ranked 22nd in the nation this week.

Back on Nov. 23 in the Garden City, Kan., Invitational Tournament NJC took on Seward County and lost by a 63-55 score. That was NJC's first and last loss - up until the re-match on Friday.

Seward County led 35-28 at halftime and out-scored NJC by 7 points in the second half to run away with the win.

"Seward County is definitely a good team," noted NJC Coach Darrel Parker. "I thought we could have played better against them on their home court, but we just never could take control of the game.

"Just like in the first game, Seward County sat back into a 2-1-2 zone and we didn't shoot the ball very well. That also took away our inside game, but basically we just didn't play very well."

NJC did shoot 42.6% from 2- point range (23/54), but was a frigid 2-for-15 from 3-point land for 13.3%. The Plainswomen committed 21 turnovers while Seward County only had 13 miscues.

Freshman Stacy Howard was NJC's leading scorer with 22 points, freshman Silke Forstmann 12, sophomore Sarah Conner 8, sophomore Kristen Forbes 6, freshman Kristy Henderson 5, sophomore Taija Bennett 4 and sophomore Jennifer Garner 2.

NJC did out-rebound Seward County 47-34. Howard wrapped up a double-double with 14 rebounds and 6 each for Conner and Forbes. Freshman Jessica Priest led in assists with 6.

On Saturday NJC came back strong with the decisive win over Dodge City. Garner shot in 24 points to lead the Plainswomen, Conner 9, Forbes and Bennett 7 each, Howard 6, freshman Britney Creamer 4, freshmen Shorty Ramos and Jacqie Neill 3 each and 2 apiece for Forstmann and freshmen Christina Brennan.

The Plainswomen also scrapped the glass for 59 rebounds to Dodge City's 47. Garner was the overall leader with 15 rebounds. She also led in assists with 4 and Conner in steals with 3. NJC also forced 31 turnovers while committing 17.

"We came out and established our defense against Dodge City," Parker observed. "We went on a 21- 0 run at the beginning of the game and pretty well put it away early. "So I thought the kids responded pretty well after the loss the previous night against Seward County. Hopefully we can keep that momentum through the break and come back in January and be ready to go."

Parker pointed out that improving each game is more important than wins and losses at this point of the season as the Plainswomen head into the holiday break.

"I think in the first 14 games we have improved," he said. "Along the way we played some high quality teams, but we know that after the break we will start facing our Region IX opponents, which are also good teams.

"Playing the tough competition has helped prepare us for the teams we will see in our region. Our girls have the focus and desire to obtain their goals and we'll see what happens after the break."

This year's Plainswomen squad consists of 10 freshmen who have needed to step up for the team to be successful. Those freshmen are Forstmann from Wiesloch, Germany; Neill from Yuma; Creamer from Montrose; Howard from Queensland, Australia; Brennan from Colorado Springs; Candace Ewert from Ogallala, Neb.; Ramos from Austin; Kassie Kroeger from Haxtun; Henderson from Aurora and Priest from Parker.

The second year NJC coach has been impressed with how his first recruiting class has responded to the junior college level.

"They are all still learning," Parker pointed out. "They were stars on their high school teams, and now they are competing in junior college where everyone else has played at a high level. "They are starting to understand what it takes to be successful, whether it's on offense or defense. I do like the kids who we have recruited. "They are all talented players, and now it's just a matter of regaining that confidence. Anyone of these freshmen can step in and play at this level, and they will continue to get their chance after the break."

Parker had also worked hard the first 14 games getting those freshmen into the rotation, as well as getting them acclimated to the junior college level.

"Each freshman in the program is different," he said. "Each night a different player has stepped up, which has been really good because we have been able to go deep into our bench and find someone to contribute. "On the other hand we haven't yet found eight or nine players to use in a set rotation, so right now we're still looking at everyone. But as long as everyone continues to step up that is the big thing."

With 10 freshmen, Parker also relies heavily on his sophomores to provide leadership, including Conner from Guernsey, Wyo.; Forbes from South Wales, Australia; Bennett from Aurora; Garner from Guernsey and Saundra Proctor from Denver.

"The biggest thing I can see with these sophomores is that they play well defensively," he observed. "They are also playing well offensively, but on the defensive end it's knowing where they are on the floor, and that's a big factor.

"Off the court all five sophomores are providing good leadership and so far they have shown the underclassmen what it takes to be successful at this level. They learned from last year's sophomores and they are stepping up to that level this year."

NJC will host North Platte, Neb. on Tues., Jan. 8 to open the 2008 portion of their schedule.