WBB: Northwest Conference

[bballfan05]

What are some predictions on the POY and All-Conference teams?

[Manny24]

February 21, 2012
2012 All-NWC Women's Basketball Team
Player of the Year:  Keisha Gordon, George Fox
Coach of the Year:  Michael Meek, George Fox

First Team All-NWC -
Keisha Gordon, George Fox (W, 5-10, Sr./Sr., Vancouver, Wash. - Heritage)
Gretchen Owens, Linfield (G, 5-8, Sr./Sr., Glendale, Ore. - Umpqua C.C.)
Jenele Peterson, Whitman (G, 5-7, Sr./Sr., Redondo Beach, Calif. – South)
Kristina Williams, Lewis & Clark (G, 5-9, Jr., El Dorado Hills, Calif. - Oak Ridge)
Hannah Munger, George Fox (P, 6-5, Jr./Jr., Newberg, Ore. - Newberg)
Lexi Belcher, Whitworth (F, 5-10, Sr./Sr., Mossyrock, Wash. – Centralia C.C.)

Second Team All-NWC -
Kelsey McKinnis, Puget Sound (G, 5-8, Jr./Jr., Ashland, Ore. – Ashland)
Sara Villanueva, Lewis & Clark (G, 5-6, Jr., Sun Valley, Calif./Poly)
Erica Schultz, Pacific (Ore.) (F, 5-10, Sr./Sr., Medford, Ore. - North Medford)
Samantha Potter, Pacific Lutheran (P, 5-10, So./So., Portland, Ore. – Sunset)
Paige Jensen, Pacific (Ore.) (F, 5-10, Sr./Sr., Bemidji, Minn. – Bemidji)

Honorable Mention –
George Fox:  Arianna Mohsenian (W, 5-8, Sr./Sr.)
Lewis & Clark: Neva Hauser (F, 5-10, Sr.)
Puget Sound: Jocelyn Riordan (G, 5-9, Sr./Sr.)
Whitman: Kelly Peterson (G, 5-8, Jr./Jr.)

I think I would have plugged Arianna Mohsenian on 2nd team just because of her defensive contribution. Good to be recognized none the less.

[Manny24]

Good Luck to GF and LC tonight. It would have been nice to have these two separated in the bracket but geographically I can understand. There is a good article on D3 hoops website that does make a point of how the LC fans might be wondering how far the post season might be different but GF keeps getting in their way. GF is a D3 hoops fav to make it to the final four, i would have to agree. This is a difficult team to match up aganst with Munger in the middle and so many talented athletes around her. The only question I have is why the coaching staff stops the rotation at 8. He has two of his top ball handlers on the team sitting for the most part. Good problem to have I guess. Its a little scary that GF has so many turnovers a game and still keeps winning. If they want to go deep they are going to have to get a handle on that part of their game.

[OshDude]

Good Luck to GF and LC tonight. It would have been nice to have these two separated in the bracket but geographically I can understand. There is a good article on D3 hoops website that does make a point of how the LC fans might be wondering how far the post season might be different but GF keeps getting in their way. GF is a D3 hoops fav to make it to the final four, i would have to agree. This is a difficult team to match up aganst with Munger in the middle and so many talented athletes around her. The only question I have is why the coaching staff stops the rotation at 8. He has two of his top ball handlers on the team sitting for the most part. Good problem to have I guess. Its a little scary that GF has so many turnovers a game and still keeps winning. If they want to go deep they are going to have to get a handle on that part of their game.

What. A. Game!

[gordonmann]

Wow! I hope someone has a good video replay to check that last shot. I couldn't tell from the GFU broadcast.

[OshDude]

Wow! I hope someone has a good video replay to check that last shot. I couldn't tell from the GFU broadcast.

To my eye in the moment, the backboard was lit with the ball in hand.

[Manny24]

It doesnt get any closer than that but the official started waving it off the second it left her hand. Fitting end to two teams that have scrapped 4 times this year.

[80sshorts]

Here is a screengrab of Katie Anderson's shot from a video still of someone sitting in the George Fox student section.  The pixxellation is a little distant from the play, but it does offer a decent alternate view of the shot. 

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/426252_577273687724_98300140_31602324_400186791_n.jpg

[gordonmann]

Yes indeed. Light was on and the ball hadn't left the hands. Right call.

[gordonmann]

Blue Zone Bruin asked my thoughts on the Amherst/GFU game since I've seen both teams live a couple times now. That doesn't make me an expert on either team but here are my thoughts.

I think the Amherst/George Fox game is a toss up. I told the George Fox broadcasters last night that I'd make GFU a slight favorite. I picked Amherst in the preview column. So clearly I'm torn.

Amherst has to take away Keisha Gordon's ability to drive, much like UMW did last night. Kim Fiorentino is an excellent defender who contained Division III all-time great Chelsie Schweers last year. Jackie Renner is essentially a 6-foot-1 point guard who plays wing. She's quick and long enough to take away some of the open three-point looks that GFU generated last night.

Amherst has more scoring threats than George Fox with Stedman, Robertson, Atanga McCormick, etc. But, like the rest of Division III, they don't have an obvious matchup for Hannah Munger. I asked Bowdoin's coach if the NESCAC had a similar player and she couldn't think of one at the time. Amherst took care of Babson who has a great front court, but George Fox has better guards/wings than the Beavers.

Amherst may try to do what Bowdoin did in the sectional semifinal. Bowdoin played its forward away from the rim to draw Munger away from the basket. Bowdoin got some open looks, but they didn't fall. Plus Bowdoin starts four guards and doesn't have the depth at forward that Amherst does. Hannah's also a physical player so fouls could be an issue with the wrong referee crew. The other George Fox forwards may be solid, but they aren't the unique threat that Munger is.

Keisha Gordon is a great player and will likely be an All-American for us again. She shot great last night, but even beyond that, her passes from the wing to Munger in the post were outstanding. I suspect she gets to defend Caroline Stedman which will be a fun battle of All-Americans.

I've seen a handful of very tall Division 3 women's players (6-foot-5 and taller). They almost always lack coordination, touch or strength. Hannah Munger lacks none of those. She has some of the nicest low post moves I've seen at this level. She has great hands, is a good passer and knows what she wants to do when she gets the ball.  It was a little like throwing a tape in the VCR and watching a Hakeem Olajuwon highlight reel. Defensively she anticipates shots nicely on the defensive end. She gets caught out of position occasionally on the glass, but usually because she's focused on boxing out her opponent.

I'm trying to think of another player like Hannah that I've seen in the 13 years I've covered Division III women's basketball and it's hard to come up with one. Mary Washington had a great center in Liz Hickey (who was incidentally at Friday's game). Liz was quicker but also a little shorter. The only other player I can think of is Cortland State center Kate Smith who was a Division I transfer and a selection to our All-Decade team. I didn't see the top centers (Ronda Jo Miller, Gallaudet and Alia Fischer of Wash U) since they are before my time.

[Manny24]

Thanks Gordon for your insight. Congrats Bruins! Safe travels back home.

A potential all West Region National Championship game? Who'd da thought. I don't think that will come easy. For GF no taller task than to knock out the defending, undefeated Amherst team. That will be some game Friday. Tommies get IWU and as a GF fan we know how focused they are this time of year as victims of their push last year. Possibly another shot at IWU this year in either the title game or 3/4 slot. I know the bruins would welcome it. (Preferrably in the title game I'm sure) Should be a fun week building up to the games in all our forcasting and predictions. Only when the girls lace up and the tip off goes up in the air will we know for sure who will be on their game !!!!! 

[BlueZoneBruin]

Blue Zone Bruin asked my thoughts on the Amherst/GFU game since I've seen both teams live a couple times now. That doesn't make me an expert on either team but here are my thoughts.

I think the Amherst/George Fox game is a toss up. I told the George Fox broadcasters last night that I'd make GFU a slight favorite. I picked Amherst in the preview column. So clearly I'm torn.

Gordon,

Thanks so much for your thorough break down of the match up. I know that you aren't an "expert on either team," but with the exception of the Bowdoin folks you are one of the very few that have seen both teams in person. That validates your perspective. The rest of us can melt speculate. Both GFU and Amherst fans know our teams well, but don't have a comparative set.

I do think it is great that eae two teams get to play each other. In the 2009 Final Four, we cheered for the Jeff's in their semi against Wash U (and TCNJ in the third place game), while their fans cheered for us against Both TCNJ and Wash U. Great fans, great team, great program.

There are a hundred ways to break the game down. Personally, I just can't wait for the opening tip!

Anyone on this board going to Holland? Im looking forward to the trip once again, regardless of the outcome!

Go Bruins!

BlueZoneBruin

[Manny24]

I'll be making the trip. Should be some great games. GF has their hands full with the machine of Amherst Friday. Alot of talk about the seniors at Amherst, playing at a high level consistently for 4 years, mentoring those around them, finding a way to win big games. Congratulations on your accomplishments. Sounds alot like what we have going on here! If GF can go out and play like they did Saturday against UMW they have a great chance to advance to the championship game.

Like you said BZB no matter the outcome this will be a fun weekend to be apart of!

[sumfun]

I do remember 3 years ago at Hope how impressed I was with how many George Fox fans made the LONG trip to Michigan.  We did have fun mixing and mingling with them in the stands and at the hotel.  Here's to "sumfun" this weekend, and some good 'ole Midwest hospitality!

[Manny24]

As a fellow West Regionmate I would like to give a shout out to St. Thomas. Alot of talk about the other three on these boards but congratulations on your season and your post season run. To beat a good Calvin team, who beat a good Chicago team to get here is some feat. Good Luck against IWU, they are a post season handful.