Hot start in Conference play...3-0

Hot start in Conference play…
We are 3-0 in conference play as we take a little time off for Christmas break and Vegas! First up we had Graceland (away)…the score went in our favor 92-82. The team was led in scoring by senior Erica Ferguson with 28 points. Senior Hillary Adams was close behind with 17 points and connecting of 4 treys. These two seniors are paving the way for the Lady Cardinals!
Next up we traveled to Missouri Valley where we put on a 84-59 showing to get our second conference win. The team was led by Sophomore sensations Brandie Roberts who led the team with 23 points, and shooting 9-9 from the cherry stripe, all while pulling down 15 rebounds and Katie Bond who went 4-4 from behind the arc and dished in a total of 16 points while grabbing 7 rebounds. These kids have a bright future ahead of them!
Finally!!! …our long awaited FIRST home game…10 games into season and we finally play at home! The team was excited to finally go to work on THEIR own hardwood after being on the road 10 straight games. As excitement boiled, the ladies came out strong beating cross town rival MidAmerica 75-53. Again Brandie Roberts led the way with 17 points and 8 rebounds, while Katie Bond and Erica Ferguson each tossed in 14 points, while Bond pulled down 11 rebounds.
The great thing about this team is anyone can score on any given night…we don’t have to rely on one person to score to be successful…every girl can score…every girl can rebound…and that is what we need to be successful as a team. Adams is finding herself in a bit of a different role this year, as teams are keying on her. To some players they would fold under all the pressure but not Adams…she has become the play maker dishing out assist after assist, making diving pass after diving pass, and still chipping in 14 points per game. Adams isn’t the only one making things happen, as the team has 4 girl scoring in double figures game after game. Ferguson is avg. 16/ppg, Roberts 13/ppg and Bond 12/ppg. It’s a great day to be a Cardinal…every day!!!

5-3...Akins and Adams go down

Throughout each season every team is faced with obstacles that are unknown; the worst of these unknowns are injuries that occur. Two weeks ago we participated in the Northwest Classic playing William Penn Friday night and NW Saturday night. Despite a so-so display of defense Friday night we came away with a victory, winning 74-52 to William Penn. Shots were falling for us but we quickly noticed during that game that defense is still our struggle. Hillary Adams recieved a high pass during the game in which reaching for it she somehow managed to hyperextend her knee, yet throughout the game she played and didn't think abything about it. The next morning she woke up and couldn't walk...a tearful Adams had to sit out against her wishing of our NW game that night, missing the first game ever of her college career. Adams soon had a partner by her side in Erica Akins as she went down with a knee injury early in the game. Like Adams she insisted on playing, was tested by the trainer and sent back in the game. Within 5 seconds of being on the floor Akins went down a second time as her knee gave out. Needlesstosay she was done for the rest of the game. We fell to NW Saturday night 75-58. Again with a mediocre performance on defense we went back to the basics in practice the following week. We stressed the importance on defense and broke it down, then broke it down again, and after that broke it down again...repetitive, yes but incredibly helpfu for the team. The team responded well and agreed they wanted/needed to be more productive on defense. Everyday is a learning day, and everday is a opportunity to get better! As we worked hard to continue to improve we anxiously waited for Adams and Akins results from the doctor. We were relieved to hear Adams would be back in action only having to sit out for one more day with a deep contusion to the knee, yet saddened to find that Akins would be done for the season with a torn ACL. It's always hard to see a player be sidelined due to injury, and it's even harder when is their senior season. Inspite of it all, Akins is in good spirits. Not happy about the situation obviously but staying positive for her teammates!
Before Thanksgiving break we ended on a great note beating Missouri S&T 74-63. We had 4 players in double figures, Erica Ferguson led all scorers with 23 points, only missing two shots. Hillary Adams bounced back quickly after being out for a few days adding 15 points. Sophmores, Katie Bond and Brandie Roberts each had 10 points, Bond grabbed 9 rebounds and Roberts grabbed 10. We were 19-19 from the stripe.
After a few days off to be with families and friends we are hitting it hard as we prepare to open up conference play this Thursday in Lamoni, Ia vs. Graceland.

It's always a great day to be a Cardinal!