TRAPPERS ON THE ROAD FOR FINAL NONCONFRENCE GAME

BY SETH ROMSA TRIBUNE SPORTS WRITER
Courtesy of the Powell Tribune

Back on the court following the winter break, the Northwest College men's basketball team is set to take part in its final nonconference game Saturday before opening Region IX North play next week at home.
The Trappers (11-6) were originally scheduled to host an All-Star game this Saturday, but after further discussion they opted to make the trip to Glendive, Montana, in order to take on more difficult competition in Dawson Community College (10-6).
"I think it's a good game for us. It's a better game for us to play in terms of preparing for league play," coach Andy Ward said. 
Northwest has already clashed twice with the Buccaneers, falling 82-75 on the road in early November, and falling 86-83 after losing a 10-point lead with three minutes to go at home in mid-December.
"Third time we're playing them. Coming out of the break, we're in some respects, feel like we're starting all over," Ward said. "Just working on getting their legs back and refreshing offensive and defensive aspects … We're pretty familiar with them as we have played them twice already. Both good games … Hopefully it'll be a good game, test us and prepare us for our first conference game."
The Trappers are coming off a road trip to Arizona to end December where they went 2-1, but fell in the final game 70-66 to Central Arizona College.
Throughout much of the first semester Ward felt the Trappers had good control of the ball, limiting turnovers for the most part aside from the final game in Arizona.
"Our last game against Central Arizona we turned it over too much, more than we normally had going into that game," Ward said. 
While taking care of the ball has primarily been one of the strengths of the Trappers, Ward still feels there are plenty of areas the team can improve on to make a strong push during the second semester.
"I'd like to see us rebound the ball better. That's been kind of a little bit of a thorn in our side," Ward said. "Shooting free throws better, we need to do those two things … I think defensively we've been pretty solid, but finishing the possession with a rebound on a more consistent basis (is important)."
While this game will serve as an early test for the remainder of the season, Ward said the Trappers are eyeing a win in a tough contest despite the possibility of some rust following the break.
"We're going in with that competitive attitude of winning the game. If we play well and we get beat, you can live with that. But hopefully, if we play like we can and we can get a win on the road, that obviously would give us some momentum going into (conference)," Ward said. "But I think most importantly is playing well … We'll be getting some rust off if there is any."
That will be the lone nonconference game before the Trappers hit their Region IX North schedule next week, as those contests begin at home.
Northwest will take on Laramie County Community College on Thursday and Eastern Wyoming College on Saturday to begin Region IX play.
The Northwest College women's basketball team was unable to fit an additional game into its schedule before Region IX starts next week and will continue practicing until those same contests against LCCC and Eastern Wyoming.