The Snow College Badger Women's basketball team has only four returning players, giving second-year head coach Natalie Visger “a lot of work, but a lot of talent to work with.” Assistant coach Brett Sawyer will also be a great asset to the team, returning for his second year. “Brett has a year more experience under his belt with our season and his club team in the summer. He has become more confident in all aspects of coaching and will take on more responsibilities,” says Visger.
The bar is set pretty high as last year the team went to the NJCAA National Tournament in Salina, Kan., for the first time in Badger history after winning the Scenic West Athletic Contest (SWAC) tournament. The Badgers finished 24-14 including a 53-50 win over Malcolm X College (Illinois) at Nationals. The Badgers were eliminated by losses to teams from Alabama and Missouri.
Two women from last year's squad moved on to continue their basketball careers at four-year schools. Kelsi Wells is now at Westminster (Salt Lake City) and Erica Martinez, who was named Honorable Mention All-American, is at Boise State (Idaho).
The Lady Badger's four returning sophomores will have to be the team leaders for the 10 new freshmen. Speaking about her young team, Visger says, “There is a lot still to be determined from our team because of our youth.”
This year the girls voted returning sophomores #Becca Rees# and #Jordi Willden# as their team captains. “Becca can really shoot the ball,” says Visger. “We will look to her for some points and she will be our outside shooter.” The team will also lean on Willden's defensive and points down low at forward. Returning sophomore #Courtnie Duncan# will also see time at the guard position and has shown that she can knock down outside shots. Also playing on the block will be sophomore Vika Havili who returns for her second year at forward and does a solid job rebounding.
Down low, the Badgers have good height. Freshmen #Emily Howey# (6'-3) from Woods Cross and #Lyssa Hanks# (6'-4) from Salem Hills will be the teams' inside scorers and rebounders according to Visger.. Visger says the Badgers hope to have things happen inside-out with post players spotting the open outside shooter.
Offensively, Snow will look to #Amber Daly# and #Kiz Farrer# to spend time at guard. “Daly has great ball handling skills and will be good for us,” says Visger who expects Daly to spend a lot of time at point guard. Kiz, a redshirt freshman, will play alongside her sister Kobe Farr, who in addition to being a great athlete, should be one of the team's best shooters according to Visger.
Hailey Larsen (Rigby, Ida.), also a guard, will be a big help offensively. “She drives and penetrates well,” Visger says. “She also makes things happen for us.” Fellow Idaho native #Sydney Webb# adds size and shooting ability on the wing and will contribute quality minutes. On the perimeter playing tough defense is Woodruff product Tristin Bowers, who brings a high level of physical play and tenacity.
On defensive, Visger says Jordi Willden (6'-0) should be “the best defender” and she leads all returning players in Region 18 with 5.5 rebounds per game from last season.
Coach Visger's final comments on the upcoming season, “I have high expectations for this group, as far as continual improvement and finding ways to be successful in all aspects. Consistency for us will be a major factor with our youth, but that will not be something we use as an excuse as we move forward. I am anxious to get started with this season and see how we develop over the next few months.”
The Lady Badger's season will begin on November 8 against Pima Community College in Salt Lake City. On December 7 the Lady's will host their first home game of the season against the Utah All-Stars at 6pm and Idaho Elite on December 8th at 4pm.
story by: Mikala Lindhart
