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Team Opened Region IX Play Wednesday
By Randal Horobik
Tribune Sports Editor
As Northwest College prepared to embark for Riverton and Wednesday's start of Region IX North tournament play, head coach Flavia Siqueira was certain of one thing - the Trappers had the tools necessary to earn a spot in the national tournament field.
"Skill-wise, we're ready," said the Trappers' head coach. "I've taught them as much as I can this semester. They've learned all the skills they need to be successful and they've used them at various times during the year. Now we just need to use them together."
Northwest College was scheduled to open tournament play against Western Wyoming on Wednesday night, after today's paper went to press. A game today (Thursday) against either Dawson or No. 19 Laramie County was waiting in the wings of the double-elimination event.
Whoever eventually emerges as the Region IX tournament champion will have earned their spot in the national field. Of the eight schools on the bracket, two - Casper and Laramie County - are currently ranked. Three others, including Northwest, have either been ranked in the top 20 or earned votes during the regular season.
Combined with the do-or-die nature, Siqueira knows that makes for a dangerous combination.
"Everyone has a chance," said Siqueira. "I look at it as everyone in the Region IX tournament is equal. All you have to do is get hot and beat two or three opponents and you're going (to the national tournament). It comes down to who is having a good day. Everyone is prepared to play each other. There aren't any secrets."
The Trappers enter the Region IX field with a 22-8 record. The squad swept Sheridan and Eastern Wyoming last week in preparation for the tournament, but an anticipated showdown with Laramie County was canceled after the school instead opted to drive from Cheyenne to Sheridan, where the team had a scheduled Saturday night game.
"There's a definite change from playing these same teams in the regular season," said Siqueira. Everyone has nothing to lose, so they'll fight for everything because this is it for everyone. It isn't like the regular season where if a team gets down they might think, oh well, we'll play them again in a month at our place."
The Region IX North tournament runs through Saturday on the campus of Central Wyoming College in Riverton.