Game Number Three Against Northwestern University

Here in Sioux City, the Lady Wildcats were looking to make the NAIA Division II Women's Tournament Semifinals for the first time since the 2009-2010 season.  The Northwestern Lady Red Raiders stood in IWU's way for that to happen.
The first half was much of a back and forth game as neither team could really take complete control.  Neither team could really get going offensively as the halftime score stood at Northwestern 21, IWU 20.  The Lady Wildcats did not make a 3-point basket or foul shot in the first half.  Those combined were a total of 0-and-5 from the field.

The second half started strong as Indiana Wesleyan got a 5 point lead to be up 30 to 25.  The Red Raiders then went on a 22-4 run to put themselves up 13, 47-to-34 with about 6 mintues to go.  The Lady Wildcats did not give up though as the hard fought comeback was on.

By the time there was 1 minute on the clock, Indiana Wesleyan was suddenly down just 2.  The next posession had Junior Guard Claire Freeman open on the left wing for 3 and it dropped to put IWU up for the first time in a long time.
Northwestern came back down the floor and Kami Kuhlmann made an open jumper to put the Raiders up 1 with 30 seconds to go.  After a timeout, IWU got the ball inside to Senior Center Krystal Stoneking for a 5-foot baby hook that hung on the rim but fell off.  The Lady Wildcats were forced to foul.  Now down 3 with 13 seconds to go Coach Steve Brooks drew up a play for Senior Guard Stephanie Burtch for 3.  The shot was short and the Red Raiders came away with the win, 57-52.
The Lady Wildcats finish a remarkable season to say the least at 33-3.  Senior Center Krystal Stoneking led IWU with 16 points and 9 rebounds.  Junior Guard Claire Freeman was the only other Wildcat in double figures with 14 points.

Dear Senior Class, Thanks!

Four seniors walked off the floor as an IWU Wildcat for the final time Saturday, March 10, 2012. 

1 Ahsley Brooks

22 Rachel Steinbarger

33 Stephanie Burtch

44 Krystal Stoneking

Although the game did not end like they would have wanted, they certainly gave us all plenty to be proud of.  As so many other games before, their desire and effort never faltered.

Their contribution to the Wildcat record book is impressive.  Just consider for a moment some of their achievements:

• 33 wins this year ties for 2^nd in school history for number of victories in a season
• Two 29-win seasons
• Three regular season MCC Championships
• Two MCC tournament championships
• 115 victories in four seasons

More importantly though, and even more impressive, is their lasting contribution to the tradition of Lady Wildcat Basketball.  Head coach Steve Brooks has often commented on their dedication to improving as athletes during the off-season.  As a group, they have demonstrated leadership both on and off the court. 

As each of them prepare for graduation and life after college this one thing will remain.  They are forever part of the Lady Wildcat Basketball family.  We have been privileged to cheer them on and are confident in their futures.  We wish them God’s blessings and say thank you for representing IWU so well!

Second Round Shake-Up

The third day of the NAIA Women’s Basketball National Championship is when things really started to get interesting.  The first round, which covers two days, held pretty much to expectations as there were no major upsets.  All four of the 1 seeds and all four of the 2 seeds advanced to the second round.  But Friday brought with it some upsets, surprises, and unbelievable finishes.
 
In the day’s most exciting (and controversial) game 1 seed Davenport lost to 4 seed Briar Cliff.  Davenport tied the ball game up 65-65 with five seconds remaining but then fouled a Briar Cliff player on the inbounds.  BC hit two game winning free throws that put them into Saturday’s quarterfinals.  Davenport was certainly a major contender for the national title but now their season is over.

The Cinderella story of the tournament is Eastern Oregon.  This 6 seed upset 2 seed Concordia (MI) in an overtime thriller.  One of the Mountaineer coaches while walking off the court said with both surprise and excitement that she will need to go buy some more outfits as she hadn’t packed for a stay through Saturday.

As the tournament moves into Saturday’s quarterfinal round here are the seeds that remain:

1 seeds:  Indiana Wesleyan, Ozarks, and Concordia (NE)
2 seeds:  Grandview, Northwestern
3 seed:  Mount Mercy
4 seed:  Briar Cliff
6 seed:  Eastern Oregon

After Saturday only four of these teams will survive and move onto Monday’s national semi-finals.  We hope to be here with WIWU on that Monday still covering the Wildcats and their quest for a championship.

Go Wildcats!
Roger Alcock

Up Next...A Familiar Foe

On Saturday the Lady Wildcats will face their toughest test of this tournament and possibly of the season as they take on Northwestern College (IA).  The Red Raiders are two-time defending National Champions and knocked the Wildcats out of last year’s tournament.

Along with Indiana Wesleyan this Northwestern squad has been one of the dominant teams in the first two rounds of 2012 NAIA DII Women’s Basketball National Championship Tournament.  In game one they defeated IU-Southeast by a score of 76-56.  Then in game two, the Red Raiders pulled away from Jamestown (ND) with a huge second half and secured an 80-58 victory.

Northwestern is led by Kendra DeJong (Jr.) who is a 6’0 forward averaging 19 points a game.  5’7 guard Kami Kuhlmann is another key player who averages 17 points per game and had 31 against Jamestown.

Again, the Wildcats will face another team that will want to push the ball up the floor.  Northwestern averages 77 points per game.  They will also look to press in the full court defensively.

Controlling tempo will be critical in game three.  This is where the Wildcats have excelled. In the first two games the Indiana Wesleyan defense has be incredible!  They have held two high scoring offenses to an average of only 41 points and both well below their shooting percentages.

We eagerly await this game and will find out if the Wildcats can continue their outstanding run.  Be sure to tune in to WIWU TV at 2:00 pm on Saturday for live coverage. 

Go Wildcats!
Roger Alcock

Women's Second Round Victory

Here in Sioux City, the #1 ranked Indiana Wesleyan Lady Wildcats came into today's 2nd round action looking to make the quarterfinal round for the 3rd consecutive year.  The Friends University Lady Falcons from Kansas stood in the team's way here inside the Tyson Events Center Gateway Arena.

The Lady Wildcats came out and potentially played their best first half of the season.  Two separate runs of 15-to-0 and then 16-to-0 gave IWU a comfortable first half lead of 39-to-10 going into the locker room.  Junior Forward Paige Smith stepped up to fill the hole left by Senior Center Krystal Stoneking who was limited due to an illness.  Smith scored 14 of her team-leading 18 points in the second half.

The second half started with a 10-to-nothing run by the Lady Wildcats to seal the game for good.  Indiana Wesleyan went on to win the game, 67-to-38.  The now 33-and-2 team will move on to play Northwestern out of Iowa for tomorrow's quarterfinal round. Along with Smith's double-double, Senior Guard Rachel Steinbarger added 16 points which tied her season high.

Round II of the NAIA Tournament

On their day off yesterday, the Lady Wildcats had many activities planned to get a little taste of Sioux City.  An activity the Wildcats take part in every year is going to Unity Elementary to minister, perform skits, and teach a lesson to the students.  The students, teachers, and principal were very excited for this event, and even lead cheers for the wildcats. They will also be coming to today’s game against Friends University.  After the event at Unity Elementary, the ladies went to the Sue Bee Honey factory for a tour the facility and how the honey is produced.  

Today, the Lady Wildcats were up early today to prepare for Round II of the NAIA tournament.  This is a big game for the Wildcats, and a strong defense is key to winning this round. Improving on their free-throw shooting will help them gain more points since their average free-throws are around 58% per game.  Friends University plays strong zone defense, so creating a healthy balance on the offense is key to winning.  Friends has a strong defense, but ladies are good at creating a defense that is just as strong.  Hopefully this will help spark their offense for a successful win!  

Game Two Scouting Report…or…Friends: Season 4

Friends University out of Wichita Falls, KS makes its fourth appearance in the NAIA National Championship Tournament and first since 2001.   The Falcons finished 23-9 overall and 16-2 during the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference portion of their schedule.  They received an automatic bid to the tournament by virtue of winning the KCAC regular season title.
 
Much credit is due head coach RaeAnn Booth.  She has turned the Falcons program around in only her second year at the helm of the program.  Her team will play an aggressive 3-2 matchup zone defense as well as trap in the full court.  Offensively, watch for them to attack the defense off the dribble and then look for an open perimiter shooter.

Led by Junior Guard Abbey Fawcett who averaged 17.7 ppg during the season the Falcons advance for the first time ever to the second round.  In their opening game victory over the College of Idaho, Fawcett had a game high 25 points.  Coach Steve Brooks commented that the Wildcats need to be ready to guard her from the moment “she steps off the bus!”

The Wildcats and Falcons tip off Friday morning at 11:15 am.  Be sure to tune into WIWU TV when our pre-game coverage begins at 11:00 am. 

Go Wildcats
Roger Alcock

The "VOICE"

There is a popular television show where judges “blindly” choose team members based solely upon their singing ability.  The competition concludes with one vocalist declared as “The Voice.” 

When it comes to a radio broadcast of basketball in the Grant County area many listeners know and appreciate the voice of Ed Thurman.  Now in his ninth season covering IWU, he has broadcasted every Lady Wildcat basketball game this year, except one.

His silky smooth style and ability to draw a virtual picture for the listener sets him apart.  He states that the highest compliment for a broadcaster is if “someone without sight can ‘see’ the game.”  None do that any better than Ed.

Without hesitation Ed will tell you that the highlight of his career came on March 13, 2007. 

That night the IWU Lady Wildcats completed their perfect season with a 38-0 record and a National Championship.

Ed called his first game while still a high school student in 1974.  In the following 38 years he has called over 2300 sporting events.  In fact, IWU’s win against Menlo College was number 2309!  (He knows the exact number…really.)

Here’s hoping that Ed has the chance to call four more Wildcat victories here at the NAIA National Championship.

(Ed Thurman preps a score sheet for his next broadcast)

Go Wildcats!
Roger Alcock

Women's First Round Victory

The Lady Wildcats here in Sioux City got off to a slow start against the 8th seeded Menlo College Lady Oaks.  The first ten minutes was an even battle as Menlo came out with great intensity and determination to try and pull off the upset against the number one overall seed Indiana Wesleyan Lady Wildcats.  After the game was tied at 11 with 12 minutes remaining in the first half, the tide turned for IWU.  A 24-to-7 run created the separation IWU would need as they went into the locker room with a 17-point lead.

The second half was much of the same for Head Coach Steve Brooks.  I-W-U slowed down the pace but the lead never was less than 15 points.  The Lady Wildcats went on to win the game, 65-to-44.  Senior Center Krystal Stoneking led IWU with 15 points and 10 rebounds.  Also, Senior Guard Stephanie Burtch scored 14 points while Junior Guard Claire Freeman added 12. The Lady Wildcats will play in the 2nd round on Friday at 11:00 am.

That second round opponnent will be the Friends University Lady Falcons out of Kansas.  They defeated the College of Idaho, 69-to-54.  Friends now stand 24-and-9 on the year.  This 2nd round match-up will take place on Friday, March 9th starting at 11:15 am.  You can see the game LIVE on WIWUTV starting at 11 am.


For More Information, Check out Wildcat Central!

"The Journey Begins"

After hundreds of miles and game minutes, it all comes down to this - one shot, one chance, one opportunity to give your team a chance to be remembered forever.

The NAIA Division II National Basketball Tournaments start the month we like to call "March Maddness."  As I sit inside the Tyson Events Center Gateway Arena for the 3rd year, anticipation fills my mind.

The Lady Wildcats come into this tournament with the target on their back.  11 straight weeks having the #1 ranking.  31-2 overall record.  MCC Regular Season Champs.  MCC Tournament Champs.  It is clear that this team is on a mission.  The senior leadership of Krystal Stoneking, Ashley Brooks, Rachel Steinbarger, and Stephanie

Burtch are in the middle of their 4th trip to Sioux City, Iowa.  These girls want to leave a legacy.  In essence, they already have.  It's a matter of putting one more notch in the belt for these players.

As the tournament begins, I am hopeful for what Coach Steve Brooks' team can do.  If they come out and play like I've seen this year, they can go far.  Let's hope for the best!


Be checking wildcatcentral.tv for all your tournament coverage and here also for updates on all the tournament coverage.

Senior Center Krystal Stoneking's little brother rocking the IWU logo for support.

 - Tim Decker
WIWU-TV Sports Announcer / WIWU-FM Correspondent

GAME ONE PREVIEW

So…what do we know about the Wildcats first round opponent?

Menlo College is primarily a Business School located in California’s Silicon Valley.  Their hometown of Atherton is literally just down the road from Stanford University

The Lady Oaks are making their first appearance in the NAIA DII National Championships since the 2006-07 season.  The received an automatic bid by virtue a dominating performance in the CAL-PAC Conference Tournament Championship.  In that game, 6’2 Forward, Lauren Adamek recorded a game high 26 points to go along with 17 rebounds.

Don’t be deceived by their overall record of just 16-13.  After a slow start, Menlo turned the corner with the New Year and were 13-2 during the months of January and February.  They are currently on a 7 game win streak.

If the Wildcats can display the outstanding defense they are capable of, they should have an advantage.  A soft spot for Menlo is that they average 20 turnovers a game.  This could be a key.

We’ll find out how good each team really is as the Wildcats and the Lady Oaks tip it off from the Gateway Arena / Tyson Events Center at 2:45 PM EST.

Roger Alcock

Banquet Evening

Today was our first full day here in Sioux City and it has been quite fun.  We started our day with practice then headed to the Special Olympics where we helped cheer on some Olympians as they played basketball against the athletes that are here.

Tonight was the banquet where all the teams are invited for a nice meal and are celebrated for their accomplishment of making it to nationals.  Before the official banquet, we gathered with five other teams for a worship service. During this service we were able to worship our Lord through songs and a couple testimonies, then were sent out with Jordan Brown singing Desert Song. This was a wonderful time in which we were able to focus on God and be reminded that as we are out here playing basketball we can glorify God through these gifts He has given us.

The official banquet included a time of Hall of Fame inductions and team inductions.  Rachel Steinbarger was given the Champions of Character award for our team. It was a night of celebration as we prepare to take the court tomorrow. 

One exciting thing was that Val Sohasky won a Kindle Fire. :) She was picked out of all the student-athletes and coaches at the banquet. It was awesome.

Ashley Brooks

Welcome to the 2012 Women's NAIA Tournament Blog

As our crews travel to Branson, MO and Sioux City, IA to cover the Men and Women's NAIA National Tournaments, they will be blogging here on their experiences and behind the scenes stories on the teams and athletes.