Sports

Ladyjacks hoping to thrive again despite small numbers

By Matthew Semisch

11/04/2014

There’s a sense of cautious optimism within the Dakota College at Bottineau (DCB) women’s basketball program, and for good reason.

The Ladyjacks finished their 2013-14 season with a 15-19 record, but a late-season charge saw DCB reach heights it’d never seen before. After winning their second consecutive NJCAA Region XIII title, the Jacks clinched their first-ever appearance in the NJCAA Division II national tournament.

DCB kept the good times rolling this spring after the season ended. Then-freshman guard Imani Scott was named a third-team NJCAA All-American, becoming only the third Ladyjack hoopster to ever make that list.

There’s a reason DCB head coach Wayne Johnson and his Jacks are only cautiously optimistic and abundantly so, though.

Namely, it’s the size of their roster for the new season.

Five DCB sophomores from last season’s team have moved on, but they aren’t the only ones. Also gone are five freshman from a year ago, including second-leading scorer Savannah Bruce (13.2 points per game).

Scott (16 PPG in 2013-14) is back, however. Fellow sophomore guards Zirahuen Hernandez (3.2 PPG) and Bottineau High alumna Whitney Brandvold (2.8 PPG) also return.

Mary Jones, a forward from last year’s team, is redshirting this season. She suffered a knee injury in March at the national tournament in Overland Park, Kan., and is still rehabing.

DCB was counting on five new freshmen coming in. Four saw playing time last Saturday and Sunday at DCB’s Kevin Thom Classic, but former Bottineau High standout Danielle McDonald has not yet made an appearance for the team.

The Ladyjacks did, however, also pick up a player with prior junior college basketball experience. Sophomore guard Chelsey Frazier joined DCB this spring after transferring from Erskine College in her home state of South Carolina.

With only eight players, then, the Jacks can’t afford to lose any more. That said, Johnson is upbeat about the Jacks’ potential.

“We’re going to have to really mind our Ps and Qs,” Johnson said, “But I like the quality of the talent we have, and we have enough talent that, come tournament time, we can compete the way I know we’ll be able to.”