WOMEN'S BASKETBALL OPENS WITH KEY TEST

BY SETH ROMSA TRIBUNE SPORTS WRITER
Courtesy of the Powell Tribune

Attitude, effort and communication.

Those are the three attributes the Northwest College women's basketball team plans to live by this season, as the Trappers kick off today (Thursday) on the road.

Northwest has spent ample time preparing for the season throughout October, through practices and several trips to surrounding states for scrimmages.

"They've worked really hard in preseason and of course have worked hard in our scrimmages. We are just looking to figure out everyone's role," coach Lauren Davis said.

That first game will be against Arizona Western College at 1 p.m. in Twin Falls, Idaho.

Remaining in Idaho Falls, the Trappers will take on one of the top teams of the 21st century in the NJCAA in the College of Southern Idaho — which enters the season ranked No. 4 in the preseason NJCAA rankings.

That game will be at 5 p.m. on Friday night.

Rounding out the weekend the Trappers will take on North Idaho College at 1 p.m. on Saturday.

All games will be played at the College of Southern Idaho.

"CSI will be great, North Idaho will be good and I don't know a ton about Arizona but I am sure they will be good too," Davis said. "(I'm looking for) attitude, effort and communication. Those are the three things that we harp on all the time. The games will have their ebbs and flows but if we can stay consistent with one heartbeat on the team I think it will be proof for us long term."

Heading into this season, the Trappers will have a lot of new players on the roster — with only one starter returning from last season and two players who played roles off the bench for a majority of the season.

Leading Northwest will be guard Roxanne Rogers, who finished as a first team All-Region IX selection last season after averaging 13.6 points and two assists per game.

Anna Knight started five games out of 18 played a year ago, and will look to have a larger impact on the Trappers after tearing her ACL last season and missing the final stretch.

Tyne Killip made 15 appearances off the bench last season, and will hope to have a larger impact on the Northwest roster this season.

"Tyne has been waiting for her opportunity," Davis said. "She put in a ton of work last year but she was behind Darla [Hernandez] and got Darla better. This year she is looking to be a contributor for us — I'm excited to see those three continue to lead."

Northwest brings 10 new freshmen onto the roster this season, looking to improve on a 21-9 record and a Region IX quarterfinal loss.

"I'm excited," Davis said. "There's a ton of new players … I'm just excited to see how they are and everything we have practiced."

The new season will be on the road for two weeks before the Trappers open the home campaign at Cabre Gym on Nov. 17 as part of the Coach Collins Heart of a Champion Classic that will feature two games the weekend before Thanksgiving.

"We have 17 home games this year so hopefully we can get some good crowds and people will come out to watch Trapper basketball," Davis said.