Your future, our focus
The Trapper women led by two points at halftime on the road at Gillette, but the Pronghorns rallied to win Friday’s Region IX postseason contest by an even dozen, 70-58.
“We played Gillette tough,” said coach Cam Levett. The Northwest College women “didn’t back down from the No. 21 team in the country. I’m proud of our fight,” Levett said. “Nobody on our roster was ready for our season to come to an end. Girls played their hearts out for their teammates.”
Samiyah Worrell scored 15 to pace the Trappers, including going 2-5 from three and 4-7 at the line.
Tess Henry accounted for 10 points while Adela Smutna and Riley Aiono added eight apiece.
Skylar Patton and Molly Coleman accounted for 18 each on the Pronghorns’ side of the board and Kobe King-Hawea was right behind with 17.
Rebounds were a near-dead heat with Northwest at 39 and Gillette with 42.
Worrell led the Trapper assist column with four. Aiono and Lucy Tuigamala pulled down six and five rebounds. Smutna recorded a trio of steals.
The loss brought the curtain down on a greatly improved 12-19 season for the women of Northwest.
“Our sophomores spoke to the freshmen after our game about what it meant to them being a Trapper, a student-athlete and plans moving forward. It was a tear-jerker for many,” said Levett. “I say this all the time: There is no place like Powell. We’re a small community, family atmosphere and we even hug fans after wins and losses.”
Twelve wins, he reminded, is substantially improved from a season ago.
“Region IX had incredible coaches, talent and programs in general this season. We struggled in region play because of that, but we will be even stronger next season with a large group of freshmen returning after logging a lot of minutes this year,” Levett commented.
Next year’s squad will be, “battle tested,” the coach said.
“As far as recruiting goes, we have some big shoes to fill with our sophomores moving on to play at four-year schools,” he said. “We’re looking for great kids that will fit into the culture we have built here at NWC.”
Finally, the coach, gave “a shout-out to everyone who supported us this season.”
While there were “too many to name them all,” Levett said his athletes’ parents and families “were great,” assistant coach Haley Sorenson “was a big help” as was Leslie Kenny “for keeping us on the court,” Brian Erickson “for making home games a great environment” and he credited Jamie Krediet “for keeping me in line and being there for our athletes.”
Others on Levett’s thank-you card included the Tribune, Greg Wise, Morgan Tyree, Scott Mangold “and of course Trapper Dave and Ralph Newell.”
As for his Trappers’ next goal? “Graduation!”
Gillette 70, Northwest 58
Northwest — Worrell 16, T. Henry 10, Smutna 8, Aiono 8, Lily Henry 6, Raquel Turner 5, Jenna Lohrenz 3, Tuigamala 2.
Gillette — Patton 18, Coleman 18, King-Hawea17, Prather 7, McInerney 6, Seamands 4.