BY SETH ROMSA TRIBUNE SPORTS WRITER
Courtesy of the Powell Tribune
powelltribune.photoshelter.com
The Trapper women’s basketball team wrapped up its preseason schedule on the road against two four-year schools in Montana, facing off against University of Montana Western on Sunday, and the University of Montana on Monday.
The two weekend scrimmages against the four-year schools did not result in an official score, as the scores were cleared after each quarter. However, head coach Lauren Davis felt the final preseason matchups were a good test for her team, as the level of competition they faced helped set the tone ahead of the official start of the season next week.
“One of the biggest takeaways from this weekend is just the importance of discipline,” Davis said.
Davis feels the discipline the Trappers saw from the four-year schools will help influence her team as they look to carry over that lesson into practice — and ensure that they work their hardest each day.
Northwest is heading into this season with an all new coach in Davis, as well as a lineup that will feature only four rostered sophomores.
The Trappers’ preseason schedule included a long trip to a jamboree in Colorado, a scrimmage against the Northwest redshirts and the two four-year schools. Now, the Trapper women will head to Western Nebraska in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, on Monday to take on the Cougars at 5:30 p.m.
“I am excited to see the girls play together, come together and take everything that we have been working on together and in these scrimmages and implement it into this first game,” Davis said.
Davis said she plans to have her team focus on defense this year. She wants teams to fear heading into matchups against the Trappers, since they plan to be one of the hardest working teams on both ends of the floor.
“Especially when we scrimmaged the boys and these four-year schools, we never backed down and we were not scared,” Davis said. “We never quit playing hard no matter the outcome of the game and that will really take us far this season.”
Besides focusing on defense, the coach wants to focus on free flowing offense that allows NWC to find open shots every time down the floor.
After their opening game against Western Nebraska, the Trappers will match up against Northeastern Junior College at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, also in Scottsbluff.
The Trappers currently do not have a home game scheduled to take place in Powell until Dec. 10 and 11 against the Carroll College JV, so the team will learn to fight on the road as they open their season and begin an attempt to chase down a regional title.