Bearcats set for opening weekend tests
JON DYKSTRA/THE FORUM
The bench including Molly Hartnett, Sadie Maas and Lindsey Kelderman react to an Anastyn Pettlon 3-pointer in the fourth quarter of Monday’s exhibition win in Bearcat Arena.
MARYVILLE, Mo. — Northwest Missouri State women’s basketball finished second in the MIAA, had its best record in 12 seasons and made an NCAA Tournament appearance last season. The Bearcats return seven players from last season’s rotation — losing just Jayna Green from the NCAA Tournament rotation.
Northwest knows its returners. The Bearcats like their returners. Their returners have proven to be an extremely good team.
So coming into this season, it would be fair to assume that Northwest would find a big to plug into the rotation to replace Green behind senior center Kelsey Fields. The thing is — the newcomers have been too good.
Seventh-year head coach Austin Meyer says the Bearcats have settled in on their 8-person rotation to begin the season. Northwest played that rotation in Monday’s exhibition win over Livin’ the Dream and it includes four newcomers.
“We feel like we are in a pretty good spot,” Meyer said.
The returners to the rotation are guards Molly Hartnett and Caely Kesten, who were both on All-MIAA teams last season, along with Fields in the post. Junior point guard Lindsey Kelderman played big minutes as one of the first three players off the bench.
“I think that it is our time to go out there and show people what we can do,” Hartnett said.
The newcomers to the starting lineup are true freshman guard Aaliyah Riley and junior forward Emree Zars. Zars is a transfer from William Jewell, where the Mill Valley (Kan.) product has been a 2-year starter.
Zars adds spacing to the 4-spot in the lineup after shooting 34% from three last season in addition to leading the Cardinals in rebounding with 5.7 per game. Zars immediately hit a 3-pointer on Monday and had seven quick points while grabbing five rebounds in 21 minutes.
“She is super versatile … can shoot the ball, can drive the ball, can set ball screens,” Kesten said. “She has more length on the defensive side. She can get blocks. She can guard the ball. She can play post defense.”
Riley was the game’s most impressive player on Monday. The 5-foot 6-inch guard played very aggressive defense and created two steals in the first half along with going 5-for-7 from the field for 10 points.
“Yeah, she is definitely different,” Meyer laughed. “She is going to keep getting better. She has a great feel for the game. She is a really good passer. We are trying to get her to be more aggressive and I think that she did a good job tonight of finding space and looking for her spots. She can be elite defensively. She has the ability to keep people in front. She is long. She has really good feet. Yeah, I think that she has a chance to be a great player at this level.”
The freshman’s speed is what stands out the most with her transition ability and explosiveness to the basket on drives. That speed stands out to her teammates too according to Hartnett.
“Obviously, she is a speedster,” Hartnett smiled. “She beats us all down the floor every time. I enjoy watching that from the backcourt — I can’t even get to the frontcourt before she’s at the hoop. She is an awesome defender. I think she is really trying to learn off CK (Kesten) and the other guards to kinda get used to her role.”
Riley isn’t the only true freshman poised to make an immediate impact. Sadie Maas and Brooklyn Stanley joined Kelderman as the first players off the bench.
Stanley brought defensive intensity to the wing too with a steal and block in her 11 minutes. She was efficient offensively, making both her 2-point shots and missing her lone 3-pointer, scoring four points.
Maas was the backup post for Fields as a 6-foot-1 center. Maas played just nine minutes and recorded an assist.
The rest of the freshmen class got its chance to show its talent in the exhibition with redshirts likely coming for a group Meyer is very excited about. Avery Yosten had 10 points and four rebounds in her 11 minutes. Maggie Collins had two offensive rebounds in her 11 minutes and was another of the freshmen who flashed her defensive ability. Kenzie Melcher also made her Bearcat debut with six minutes.
“We got all 15 that were suited up in (the game) tonight,” Meyer said. “… We have some really good kids redshirting. … We just got kids with great attitudes. Our freshmen class is awesome. Emree has been great. I just feel like we are going to keep getting better.”
Redshirt freshman Anastyn Pettlon hit a clutch fourth-quarter 3-pointer when Livin’ the Dream had cut into the Bearcats’ big lead. She was 2-for-2 with five points, a rebound and assist.
The Bearcat depth is among the best in the country this season with the freshmen class catching the final years for Hartnett, Kesten, Fields, Evelyn Vazquez and Peyton Kelderman. Lindsey Kelderman, Kendall Clatt and Ella Moody are juniors this season. Laini Joseph is a sophomore.
“Looking back to being a little girl and knowing how much basketball means to me, then looking around at these girls and seeing how much basketball means to them — it is a treat to be a Bearcat,” Kesten said.
The Bearcats are jumping right into the fire this weekend with the D2CCA Tip-Off Classic at St. Joseph’s Civic Arena. They play Ashland at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday after the Eagles went 31-2 last season. On Sunday, they play reigning National Runner-up Texas Women’s at 5:30 p.m. The Pioneers were 34-5 last season.
