LADY BADGERS LOOSE
by Kevin White

Lady Badgers Loose To Conference Champ NIC 66-82

COUER D’ALENE –  It certainly wasn’t the outcome that Cindy Lindsay had hoped for when their teams fell at the Scenic West Athletic Conference Basketball tournament over the weekend. However, when you compare it to last season and the progress that has been made, the coach has reason for optimism in 2009-10.

“It has been a very good season and we have laid the foundation for where we want our program to go,” said Lindsay. “We are disappointed with the tournament outcome but pleased with the overall season.”

The Lady Badgers fell to eventual champion North Idaho College 82-66 in the conference semi-final game. Snow was led by Sophomore Shaylee Nielsen (a post-season honorable mention All-Conference performer). Nielsen’s 19 points (including 14 in the second half) kept the Lady Badgers close but couldn’t push them over the top.

Three other Lady Badgers were honored with All-Conference accolades. Sophomore Torle Nenbee garnered first-team honors and Freshman Point Guard Abbie Beutler notched a second-team award. Sophomore Cami Hymas was given Honorable Mention All-Conference honors.

Snow loses eight sophomores from this year’s squad; Nenbee, Hymas, Nielsen, Abbie Cook-Patterson, Amy Parkinson, Melissa Chamberlin, Leah Archibald and Taesha Higbee.

“These sophomores have been great,” said Lindsay. “They represent our program and the school like they should and deserve a lot of credit for what they have given. We will certainly miss them.”

The Lady Badgers finished with a 17-14 overall record (improving on the 13-17 performance from a year ago). They also notched a 3rd-place finish with a respectable 8-7 in conference play.