News you can use

Frontier Notebook: January means the return of big games

Frontier Conference Notebook

It kind of started back before winter officially began. But now, it's really here.

With the weird way the Frontier Conference basketball schedule is set up now, with each team playing each other three times, a handful of games were played last month. But, with a lot of non-league games still left, it didn't feel like the start of conference play.

Now, however, it's January, and it really feels like league play is here. And this weekend, there are already some huge games on tap, games that will set the tone for the next two months.

On the men's side, no game will be bigger than Carroll College's home game against the MSU-Northern Lights Saturday night. It's a matchup of nationally ranked teams, and the Lights are already the only unbeaten team left in conference play. And with Northern and Carroll set to meet twice this season in Helena, this first salvo is a big one for both teams. The other big one is Saturday night when UM-Western hosts Lewis-Clark State. Those two have really struck up a bitter rivalry, and you can usually expect the 100-point barrier to be passed when the Bulldogs and Warriors meet up.

On the women's side, there are really three huge games this weekend, involving three teams. Thursday night, Northern visits UGF in a nationally ranked rivalry game, then the Argos turn right around and travel to Helena for a game against the nationally ranked Carroll College Fighting Saints. One night later, Northern is in Helena to play the Saints. With all three teams already trying to keep pace with Lewis-Clark State, those three games are going to be monumental for every team involved.

The Dawgs Can Play Too

In recent years, the LC State women traveling to Dillon to take on UM-Western wouldn't be one of the big games of the week. But this is a different year for the Western women. Saturday night's bout in Dillon pits the No. 2 Warriors against a Western team that, like LCSC has been perfect thus far.

If both teams win Thursday night, they will bring a combined 30-0 record into Saturday night's game. While many aren't surprised to see LC State unbeaten, the Bulldogs are a big surprise, given they were picked to finish last in the Frontier.

However, Western coach Lindsey Wooley and his players may not be surprised by the Dawgs' first-half success. Western has veteran leadership in Kaye Bignell and Aneise Palmore, they have depth and athleticism up and down the roster, and they have inspiration in the return of Molly Klinker from what was thought to be a career-ending injury.

Western also has the stingiest defense in the country. The Bulldogs come into conference play allowing just 48 points per game, while opponents only shoot 32 percent from the field and a scant 26 percent from beyond the arc. In a loaded Frontier that has always been about defensive excellence, so far this season, no one is doing it better than Western and that has catapulted the Bulldogs into being an elite team once again.

Numbers Game

With conference play now here for good, it's relevant to look at who's been doing what around the league the last few months.

On the women's side, Northern star senior Natalee Faupel leads the league in scoring at 18 points per game. Carroll forward Cassidy Hashley is tops in rebounding at 10 per night, while LCSC star point guard Caelyn Orlandi is dishing out an incredible seven assists per game. And for the second straight year, UGF center Whitney George is leading the league in blocks, at over three per night. So, the usual suspects are already off and running.

On the men's side, Doug McDaniel, the LC State standout who was picked as the Preseason Player of the Year, is lighting it up thus far, averaging 20 points per game. Teammate Zavon Jackson leads the league in assists at five apg, while Carroll forward Ryan Imhoff is first in rebounding at eight per game. Northern center Ryan Reeves leads the way in blocked shots at two per game and 22 on the season.

 

Reader Comments(0)

 
 
Rendered 02/23/2024 14:18