Photo by: Kelly Gorham
Bobcat Women Officially Open Practice Monday
10/3/2016 4:47:00 PM | Women's Basketball
The defending Big Sky Conference regular-season champion Montana State women’s basketball squad officially opened practice for the 2016-17 campaign, Monday afternoon in Shroyer Gym.
The defending Big Sky Conference regular-season champion Montana State women's basketball squad officially opened practice for the 2016-17 campaign, Monday afternoon in Shroyer Gym.
MSU head coach Tricia Binford, who enters her 12th year leading the Bobcat program, welcomed back seven letterwinners, including two starters and a two-time Big Sky Top Reserve of the Year.
Headlining the Bobcats' roster will be co-captains Peyton Ferris and Riley Nordgaard. Ferris, a senior from Twin Bridges, has been the league's top reserve the past two seasons. A second-team all-conference selection last winter, Ferris returns as MSU's leading scorer after dropping in 15.0 points per game. She also finished eighth in the nation shooting 58 percent from the field.
Nordgaard, a 5-10 senior from Canby, Minnesota, averaged 10.9 points per game, while hauling down a team-best 7.2 rebounds per contest. For her efforts, Nordgaard garnered All-Big Sky Honorable Mention accolades.
"There is no doubt that Peyton and Riley will be shouldering most of the load this season, both on and off the court," Binford said. "They're both outstanding leaders and have done a terrific job bringing the newcomers along."
Junior Delaney Junkermier, along with Nordgaard, returns to the starting line-up. The Spokane product averaged 5.6 points per game and was third on the team in three-point makes.
Other letterwinners returning include Margreet Barhoum, Hannah Caudill, Annika Lai and Ashton Siegner. Junior Rebekah Hatchard, a transfer from Adelaide, Australia sat out last season and will be eligible to play.
"We have a good corps of veterans returning that have played significant minutes," Binford commented. "Hannah established herself as one of the top point guards in the Big Sky after averaging a league-best 5.4 assists, and she was fifth in assist/turnover ratio. Margreet is a kid that's been in the program five years and always gives us a solid performance, and Annika had an outstanding offseason, and we're expecting great things from her this year."
Five freshmen will also vie for playing time this winter. Post players Madeline Smith (Snohomish, WA) and Blaire Braxton (Highlands Ranch, CO) will look to fill the big shoes left by the 2015-16 Big Sky Conference MVP Jasmine Hommes, who finished her eligibility last spring.
"Madeline and Blaire are both gifted athletes and bring something different to the table," Binford said. "We have tremendous confidence in their abilities to fill the hole left by Jasmine."
Highly-touted guard Oliana Squires will also look to give the Bobcats a spark. Squires was one of 27 players invited to attend the 2016 USA Women's U-18 National Team Trials in May. Madisyn Shaide, a graduate of Missoula Big Sky, is coming off a redshirt season, while true-freshman Madison Kast is a likely redshirt candidate for the 2016-17 campaign.
"The first couple weeks of practice are always interesting as we try to adapt to our new identity," Binford said. "We're just keeping everything simple with a strong focus on rebounding."
MSU head coach Tricia Binford, who enters her 12th year leading the Bobcat program, welcomed back seven letterwinners, including two starters and a two-time Big Sky Top Reserve of the Year.
Headlining the Bobcats' roster will be co-captains Peyton Ferris and Riley Nordgaard. Ferris, a senior from Twin Bridges, has been the league's top reserve the past two seasons. A second-team all-conference selection last winter, Ferris returns as MSU's leading scorer after dropping in 15.0 points per game. She also finished eighth in the nation shooting 58 percent from the field.
Nordgaard, a 5-10 senior from Canby, Minnesota, averaged 10.9 points per game, while hauling down a team-best 7.2 rebounds per contest. For her efforts, Nordgaard garnered All-Big Sky Honorable Mention accolades.
"There is no doubt that Peyton and Riley will be shouldering most of the load this season, both on and off the court," Binford said. "They're both outstanding leaders and have done a terrific job bringing the newcomers along."
Junior Delaney Junkermier, along with Nordgaard, returns to the starting line-up. The Spokane product averaged 5.6 points per game and was third on the team in three-point makes.
Other letterwinners returning include Margreet Barhoum, Hannah Caudill, Annika Lai and Ashton Siegner. Junior Rebekah Hatchard, a transfer from Adelaide, Australia sat out last season and will be eligible to play.
"We have a good corps of veterans returning that have played significant minutes," Binford commented. "Hannah established herself as one of the top point guards in the Big Sky after averaging a league-best 5.4 assists, and she was fifth in assist/turnover ratio. Margreet is a kid that's been in the program five years and always gives us a solid performance, and Annika had an outstanding offseason, and we're expecting great things from her this year."
Five freshmen will also vie for playing time this winter. Post players Madeline Smith (Snohomish, WA) and Blaire Braxton (Highlands Ranch, CO) will look to fill the big shoes left by the 2015-16 Big Sky Conference MVP Jasmine Hommes, who finished her eligibility last spring.
"Madeline and Blaire are both gifted athletes and bring something different to the table," Binford said. "We have tremendous confidence in their abilities to fill the hole left by Jasmine."
Highly-touted guard Oliana Squires will also look to give the Bobcats a spark. Squires was one of 27 players invited to attend the 2016 USA Women's U-18 National Team Trials in May. Madisyn Shaide, a graduate of Missoula Big Sky, is coming off a redshirt season, while true-freshman Madison Kast is a likely redshirt candidate for the 2016-17 campaign.
"The first couple weeks of practice are always interesting as we try to adapt to our new identity," Binford said. "We're just keeping everything simple with a strong focus on rebounding."
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