Sooner or later, the Canada West conference is going to have to take notice.
A pair of wins against the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns last weekend gave the Dinos women’s basketball team a 4-2 record, tops in their division. The Dinos won 62-59 on Friday, then put together a more convincing 69-60 game on Saturday, in their first homestand of the year.
“It was a good opening weekend for us,” stated third-year Dinos post Cory Bekkering. “We played consistently both nights. Everyone contributed in their own role.”
Cory’s sister Anna led the Dinos on Friday night with 17 points, followed by Jessica Foltinek and Tanya Hautala, who put up 15 and 12 points respectively. Foltinek led all players in the game with 13 rebounds.
On Saturday, aggressive rookie guard Lindsay Maundrell had a monster night with 20 points off the bench before fouling out in the closing minutes for the second consecutive game. Anna Bekkering duplicated her 17-point effort, Hautala notched 13 points, and Shari Jonker capped off a season-high 11 points with a buzzer beater at the 40-minute mark. On the boards, Cory Bekkering led the way with nine rebounds.’Anita Demenezes had a huge night for the ‘Horns with 23 points and ten boards.
“On Saturday we were less nervous,” explained Dinos Head Coach Shawnee Harle. “On Friday, we had a young team playing in front of their fans and parents for the first time. It’s all just part of gaining experience.”
“We were kind of nervous,” Cory Bekkering admitted. “It was exciting; there was awesome fan support.”
Bekkering has been handed the job as one of the starting posts this season, alongside Jessica Foltinek. With most of their more experienced players currently out of the lineup, the third-year Dino also has to fill a leadership role, but claims the pressure isn’t too much.
“I’m kind of a permanent honourary rookie,” she laughs, pointing out that injuries kept her on the sidelines for much of her first two seasons.
The Dinos will host the University of Saskatchewan Huskies in their last home series before their exhibition tournament in late December. The Huskies are coming off a two-win weekend against the University of Alberta Pandas, and shouldn’t be taken lightly.
“Like every other opponent, we’ll have to play very well over 40 minutes to beat them,” says Harle. “There are no easy games. We have to be ready to come out every night.”
“[The Huskies] are scrappy,” adds Cory Bekkering. “They work hard. If we play our game and don’t let them dictate the pace, we should do good.”
Players such as guards Maundrell and Katherine Adams should fare very well against a scrappy squad. If the Bekkerings and Foltinek continue their consistent play up front, the Dinos should go into the Christmas break with a solid 6-2 record.
Games are in the Jack Simpson Gymnasium at 6:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.