WBB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[scorekeeper]

Keeping with the theme of announcing commitments for next year, here are some of the players coming to CSB according to a recent St. Cloud Times article:

Devin Bowlin- 5'4 point from Winona Cotter - Cotter's all time leader in assists and steals.  Averaged 10.4 points, 5.5 assists, 3.2 steals and 3.2 rebounds per game.  Finished career 16th on the all time list for assists in Minnesota.  All-State Softball player as well.

Danielle Frank - 6'4 post from Caledonia - played in the state tournament. Averaged 12 points and 9.5 rebounds and had 100 blocks on the year.

Amy Stifter - guard from Watertown Mayer, All State HM for class AA

Joelle Waytashek - guard from Centennial

Betsy Hutchinson - forward from Hutchinson

Laura Canton - guard from Pine Island - Averaged 14 ppg and 8 rpg.  Was All-State HM as a junior. 

[gacbacker]

Isn't Betsy Hutchinson from Detroit Lakes?

[scorekeeper]

Oh, my mistake.  Yes, Hutchinson is from Detroit Lakes...although I'm sure you can see how I messed that up. 

[buf]

Anyone know anything about Hannah Messick from Chatfield.  She is a new recruit to the team that I follow (UWEC).

[Collegeville Magic]

I know that Chatfield is tiny... Sorry, no clue.  If a certain "renaissance man" were to read this, he would know, as he's from that area.

[Willy Wonka]

I believe Messick is a 6-0/6-1 post who scored over 1,000 points in her career — though anyone that tall with a lick of talent should, given the competition level. She was also the KTTC (local TV station) Player of the Week at least one this past season. It's often hard to predict how posts will turn out at the D3 level...if they're talented, they usually get recruited by bigger schools.

Hard to say if any of that speculative blabber is useful, so I'll move on to something I know more about.

CSB got a good one in Bowlin, whose dad has created the dynasties that are Cotter basketball and softball. Devin and her tiny backup — who could break many of her records by the time she graduates — twice destroyed the Cannon Falls team that won state in 2006...but the Ramblers got knocked off at state a game before they would have played for a third time. The Bombers rarely got it over half court in the game I saw, much less got a good look at the basket.

That gushing aside, the real gem from that team is Jenny Gilbertson. She played Cory Montgomery to a stalemate as a sophomore...and Montgomery got minutes as a freshman on a Nebraska team who just missed out on the Dance last season. If Pearson keeps her in town, I'd send the NCAA snoopin in her direction with the expectation of finding a new cars, plural

[Ghost of MIAC Past]

Any comments on the St. Olaf coach resigning?

[Willy Wonka]

EC - STO players are meeting with potential candidates this week in hopes of making the hire before classes start this fall. I've heard some options include the assistant coach(es?) from last year, but it was a nationwide search so better qualified candidates may be brought in.

I wonder if GAC's Aaron Kahl is kicking himself right now. That seems an ideal spot for him, rather than out in South Dakota.

[gacbacker]

WW- Any word on who any of the candidates are?

[Ghost of MIAC Past]

Other than being in one of the toughest NAIA conferences in the country, I think Dakota Wesleyan is a team that can compete at a national level faster than St. Olaf.  Word is that Olaf has never given great financial aid.  Not going to win consistently in the MIAC if you can't consistently get the best kids in.  At least at DWU he has some say in the money kids get with his scholarships.  Plus he can work with his kids year round.  Sounds like a much better deal.  Mandy at SMU might be the one kicking herself now for taking the SMU job.  It's going to be a long while before they win there.

[LA RAMS]

  Mandy at SMU might be the one kicking herself now for taking the SMU job.  It's going to be a long while before they win there.

It might take a while but Mandy will be fine at SMU which I think is a better fit for her anyway as opposed to Olaf.   

[MIACBaller]

Mandy at SMU might be the one kicking herself now for taking the SMU job.  It's going to be a long while before they win there.

I heard she has a much improved coaching staff over last year, though. I think she'll do just fine.

[hoopscoopsmiac]

From what i have seen and heard Mandy has a good head on her shoulders and will be just fine at SMU. What a talented athlete she was and SMU is lucky to have hired such a great athlete with a great basketball mind.

[Ghost of MIAC Past]

Dave Stromme the new head coach at Olaf.  Thinking he's above and beyond what Olaf could have expected for a head coach.  Apparently that beat out their strong will for a female head coach.  Can't say they could do any worse with this pick.  If Stromme can't win at Olaf, I think few ever will.

[Phoenix]

Hello everyone, I just joined, I have been a long time reader but never writer on the posting page. I was just curious on what everyone is thinking about the rankings of the teams in the MIAC. I know its early, but I was wondering what everyone thought and if there were any sleeper teams that might have a chance at the title.