WBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletics Association

[Mr. Ypsi]

After the sting of this loss wears off, all the Hope women will have fond memories of a fantastic season with lots of highlights.

This is probably a stupid and pointless thing to say at this point, but good chance this game has different results if played in Holland -- and I think it's unfortunate that it wasn't played in Holland.

With both Hope and St. Thomas in the sectional, it was inevitable that the host would be either UWW or Simpson - no flights necessary, whereas either Holland or St. Paul would require a flight.  We are, alas, a tourney controlled by the bean counters.  Always have been, probably always will be.

Blame Calvin for letting St. Thomas get that far.

Ooh, Pat - you think Hope and Calvin need any additional fire to the rivalry?!

You don't honestly think either of you could do anything that would affect The Rivalry, do you?

No, which is why I really had no qualms about saying it.

Ditto.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Now that the season is over for the MIAA (alas), time to think about next season.

How far will Calvin fall without Carissa Verkaik (IMHO, national POY).

In 2012, Hope was still very good without Carrie Snikkers (22-5, 11-3) but missed out on the national tourney.

In 2011, IWU was even better without Christina Solari, going to the FF that year, then winning it all in 2012.  But that year they finally graduated someone they couldn't replace (national POY Olivia Lett), and while still very good (18-8 against the toughest schedule in the nation, 11-3), they missed out on the national tourney.

Can Calvin continue without missing a beat, will they miss the national tourney (like Hope and IWU) for (hopefully for IWU!) just a year, or are they doomed to mediocrity for a few years?

[sac]

Somehow I think Hope and Calvin will be fine, maybe not top 5 all year fine, but fine.

[oldknight]

Now that the season is over for the MIAA (alas), time to think about next season.

How far will Calvin fall without Carissa Verkaik (IMHO, national POY).

In 2012, Hope was still very good without Carrie Snikkers (22-5, 11-3) but missed out on the national tourney.

In 2011, IWU was even better without Christina Solari, going to the FF that year, then winning it all in 2012.  But that year they finally graduated someone they couldn't replace (national POY Olivia Lett), and while still very good (18-8 against the toughest schedule in the nation, 11-3), they missed out on the national tourney.

Can Calvin continue without missing a beat, will they miss the national tourney (like Hope and IWU) for (hopefully for IWU!) just a year, or are they doomed to mediocrity for a few years?

Calvin will miss a beat next season--maybe two. In addition to losing Verkaik, John Ross has five other seniors depart including front line players Hilbrands and Wolffis. That's a lot of size and experience going out the door at the same time. I don't expect the Lady Knights to be mediocre next year but I also don't see them being a major player on the national scene for 2013-14. I don't know what Ross has in the recruiting pipeline and if he gets a couple of solid contributors coming in, that might cause me to revise my opinion. Grand Rapids South Christian High School has an excellent team competing in the Class B semifinals Friday night and if Calvin can snap up a couple of their top players that would help. I've seen them play, they have a deep squad and I suspect Anna Timmer--a solid, heady player and one of that school's starters--will be at Knollcrest in the fall. She better; her dad is Calvin's AD. Unfortunately, I'm told Gaddy is expected to go to Hope.

Angelique Gaddy is the top player on South Christian's team, a solid ball handler, good perimeter defender, and can hit the three. If she does play for Brian Morehouse I think she is the likely heir apparent to the spot being vacated by Liz Ellis.

[Calvinhoops]

I agree with old knight and they also lose the fastest most disruptive player in Logan Marsh and their best outside shooter in Kelsey Irwin who holds the three point record in a career.   Points will be hard to come by, especially without all those rebounds and defense the front line was getting you.  Probably won't make the NCAA but should make conference tourney.

[bballforever]

I agree with all of the above and would add a couple things.  Calvin will not be very good next year.  All those seniors gone with nothing really to replace.  For the current group, doing well in mop up minutes does not equate to potential for next year.  So, unless the Knights bring in some major talent, they are in trouble.  A possible appearance in the MIAA tourney, maybe,  but they will have to beat a very good Olivet team, at least.
Hope will be good again.  They have height with experience and talent.  I heard that the PG from South is coming to Hope and legit.  If that is the case and you never know until you get on the floor, watch out!!

[Flying Dutch Fan]

Angelique Gaddy is the top player on South Christian's team, a solid ball handler, good perimeter defender, and can hit the three. If she does play for Brian Morehouse I think she is the likely heir apparent to the spot being vacated by Liz Ellis.

And don't forget that Hope will have 2 Sophomores (with Freshman eligibility) joining next year - both who dealt with injuries this year and were not on the team.  Stephanie Snikkers (Carrie's baby sister) and Jordan Scholten (6'5" from Byron Center).  The future is full of Hope!!

[bballfan13]

I agree with all of the above and would add a couple things.  Calvin will not be very good next year.  All those seniors gone with nothing really to replace.   For the current group, doing well in mop up minutes does not equate to potential for next year.  So, unless the Knights bring in some major talent, they are in trouble.  A possible appearance in the MIAA tourney, maybe,  but they will have to beat a very good Olivet team, at least.
Hope will be good again.  They have height with experience and talent.  I heard that the PG from South is coming to Hope and legit.  If that is the case and you never know until you get on the floor, watch out!!

That's a pretty bold statement.  Yes, the look and play of Calvin will definitely change with the seniors they are graduating.  They will not have the same inside game they have had for the last 4 years, that is for sure with Verkaik, Hilbrands, and Wolffis gone.  But I think you must be forgetting they started 2 sophomores (B. Verkaik and Englehard) and a junior (Tripp).  They have the experience and it will be their turn to lead the team.  I'm not saying they will be a top 5 team all year, but I don't think an MIAA championship is out of the question at all.

I can't believe you said they "might" make the MIAA tournament.  Unless you saw something different than I did this year, they are still easily in the top 4 in the conference, and most likely top 2.

[bballfan13]

Congratulations to Carissa Verkaik on another accomplishment!

Carissa has been named as a WBCA First Team All-American for the second year in a row.  She has also been named a finalist (1 of 3) for player of the year for the second year in a row.

All American team:
http://www.wbca.org/blog/index.cfm/2013/3/14/WBCA-announces--2013-Division-III-Coaches-AllAmerica-Team/

Finalist:
http://www.wbca.org/blog/index.cfm/2013/3/14/2013-State-FarmWBCA-NCAA-Division-III-Player-of-the-Year-finalists-named/

Calvin article:
http://www.calvin.edu/sports/news/comments/carissa-verkaik-named-state-farm-division-iii-all-american-finalist-for-pla/

[bballfan13]

Another award for Carissa Verkaik.  2013 Josten's Trophy winner! 

Great article on Calvin's site:
http://www.calvin.edu/sports/news/comments/carissa-verkaik-named-recipient-of-jostens-trophy-second-calvin-player-to-d/

D3hoops article:
http://d3hoops.com/notables/2013/03/verkaik-hunt-win-2013-jostens-trophy

Very impressive and well deserved!

[oldknight]

On his visit to this weekend's women's final at DeVos Fieldhouse, Hoopsville host Dave McHugh took a side trip today and appears to be planning a sneak attack on VanNoord Arena, snapping this photo:

https://twitter.com/d3hoopsville/status/312597110463799296/photo/1

I suspect his motives were pure though, possibly even visiting with this season's Jostens Trophy winner.

[Pat Coleman]

John Ross gave us a short tour behind the scenes and Dave and I took some video that will end up on a future Hoopsville.

[pointlem]

Sorry, Pat and Dave, that you couldn't have experienced the electricity of a full house this weekend, had Hope made it.  It would have been such fun for you . . . and Hope fans.  But thanks for being here, and for all you do to support the spirit of DIII hoops.

John Ross gave us a short tour behind the scenes and Dave and I took some video that will end up on a future Hoopsville.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

At least I got a chance to see both of Hope and Calvin's facilities, even though I can't technically count being at Calvin's since I didn't witness a game there. I will have to make a trip back.

While the Hope crowd might not have been here, the atmosphere has still been great and visiting Calvin was just the cherry on top of the weekend. We should have the men's or women's tournament dragged out every year so I can get to all final fours! Ok... maybe not.

[Mr. Ypsi]

At least I got a chance to see both of Hope and Calvin's facilities, even though I can't technically count being at Calvin's since I didn't witness a game there. I will have to make a trip back.

While the Hope crowd might not have been here, the atmosphere has still been great and visiting Calvin was just the cherry on top of the weekend. We should have the men's or women's tournament dragged out every year so I can get to all final fours! Ok... maybe not.

While Hope and IWU have hosted all the FFs since 2007, and have each won a title since 2006, and have each participated in an additional FF since then, either coincidentally or ironically (take your pick), neither has ever won a home-court FF (or even been in a home-court title game).  I'm a firm believer in home-court advantage, but it CAN be overrated!