SD & MN WBB Collegians Sparkle
Two weeks and four wins into the new season, undefeated UN-Kearney & USD look strong, ahead of the pack, fueled by SD & MN talents (aided by Iowa & Nebraska sisterhoods). UN-Kearney took down UM-Crookston & Wayne State from the…
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Continue ReadingTwo weeks and four wins into the new season, undefeated UN-Kearney & USD look strong, ahead of the pack, fueled by SD & MN talents (aided by Iowa & Nebraska sisterhoods).
UN-Kearney took down UM-Crookston & Wayne State from the NSIC a week ago, with strong defense and shooting from STM’s Klaire Kirsch & Brandon Valley’s Trinity Law. Lopers have great depth, with ten players seeing 10+ minutes/game.
Sophomore Kirsch scores 6.5 points/game. has 12 steals on the year, 5 rebounds per game, and 3 assists per game. High intensity on the bench and the floor, her specialty involves racing around a dribbler, and taking the rock back for sudden-change offense.
Kirsch to the Rim – photo courtesy of UN-Kearney staffFreshman Law lifts her team with faster-than-the-eye-can-see-defense, and 54% marksmanship, hitting 7 of 13 from the perimeter. At 5-7, and only 12 minutes per game, her zig-zag bursts confuse, confound, and frustrate defenses. Law’s floor time is increasing, game-by-game, earned from hard nosed performances.
Law Slashing To The Hoop – photo courtesy of UN-Kearney staffUN-Kearney finished another two game sweep Saturday, whacking Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference opponents. All in preparation for the tough MIAA winter battles against fun nicknames: Griffons, Jennies, Ichabods, Hillcats, and Blue Tigers. Lopers Rule !!
UN-Kearney & USD both have former Crofton, NE, & STM players now as teammates. Crofton fans willingly brag about their winning record over STM at the Hanson Classic over recent years. Kirsch & Kelsey Sanger (Jr) start for the Lopers, while Ciara Duffy & Monica Arens star for USD, the top-ranked mid-major, which won over Utah (Pac-12) in OT on Saturday.
The Coyotes face Missouri 11/21 in Vermillion, the second of four Power Five troupes scheduled for 2019 – Ohio State in Las Vegas and off to South Carolina Dec 22nd. Chloe Lamb of Sully Buttes HS (SD) and Madison McKeever of Winn-E-Mac HS (MN) join Duffy & Arens as 35+-minutes/game stalwarts. In the post is Hannah Sjerven of Rogers HS (MN), splitting time with Taylor Frederick of Harlan (IA) HS. Sjerven’s growth in toughness and grit is remarkable. She runs circles around 6′-5″ beanpoles, jumps out to stop screen-n-rolls, and has happy feet with/without the ball. Off the bench, Liv Korngable of Rochester Mayo HS (MN) and Jeniah Ugofsky, Harrisburg HS (SD) contribute valuable minutes. T
USD Bench in win over Utah 111619Teamwise, the 83-pt/game average comes from drilling 47% from the floor, 16 assists/game, and 30 total thefts. USD’s Summit League crown can be defended, and another postseason NCAA bid won with the athleticism and experienced playmaking shown early.
Great starts on special stories for two tenacious teams. Stay tuned.