Author: Jack McHenry
The Lady Tigers basketball team has started the season off strong, going 3-1 with their only loss coming in a hard-fought battle with Gustavus Adolphus of Minnesota 53-50 on Nov. 25. Aside from the one loss, the Lady Tigers have had momentum in every game this season.
For the week of Nov. 22-29, guard Makenzie Brandon (junior) was named SCIAC Female Student-Athlete of the Week after posting averages of 16.5 points per game, 5.2 rebounds per game and 4.1 assists per game.
This recognition is a testament to the kinesiology major’s achievements on and off the court. As her statistics indicate, Brandon is a versatile threat capable of changing the momentum of a game in multiple ways.
The Lady Tigers have the ability this season to put a tall, very skilled lineup on the court that has proven difficult for teams to defend.
With the versatile 5’10” Brandon leading the way, the next two top scorers are 6’1″ forward Katelyn Rowe (junior) with 12.2 points per game and the 6’3″ forward Elizabeth Messick (sophomore) with 8.2 points per game. These players average 5.2, 7.2 and 7.0 rebounds per game respectively as well.
Additionally, six foot Britni Walker (sophomore) averages 6.8 rebounds per game, getting significant minutes coming off the bench. When a team is able to field a lineup like Occidental’s, it can prove very difficult to defend for opponents who are smaller across the board, especially at the Division III level.
Height is not the extent of the advantage however, as Rowe and Messick have showed the ability to finish with both hands around the hoop, pass out of the post and step out and knock down mid-range jump shots. Having post players of this caliber poses a daunting defensive task for opponents.
It also opens up opportunities for guards Liz Little (junior), Ashton Reid (first-year), Crystal Goodwin (sophomore) and Marquisha Corley (junior), who have proven their ability to knock down three pointers so far this season.
With defenses keying on Rowe and Messick in the front court and the resourceful Brandon, this group of sharpshooters will get plenty of open looks from beyond the three-point line.
All these factors combine to form a deep squad more than ready to defend their 2010-2011 SCIAC Championship and earn another berth in the NCAA playoffs. The Lady Tigers can next be seen on Dec. 19 when they host the Willamette University Bearcats at 6 p.m.
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