Mustangs looking to take next step

By Phil Cobb | November 20, 2015 |

DALTON VITT/DAILY FORUM
The 2015-2016 North Nodaway girls’ basketball team roster includes: Front row, from left: coach Lindsi Jackson, Bethany Herndon, Breann O’Riley, Madison Thompson, Kelsi Oberhauser, coach Sami Jackson. Second: Keagan O’Riley, Emma Hart, Ashley Thompson, Taylor Combs, Alisha Davison. Back: Olivia Miller, Katie Bloomquist, Cheyenne Murphy, Kristin Herndon, Audrey Trimble.

With one of the leading post presences in the area and a handful of impact players returning, the North Nodaway girls’ basketball team is set on improving from its strong season a year ago.

The Mustangs finished last season at 14-11, and head coach Sami Jackson says her team is focused on taking the next step.

“Our goal is simply to be better than we were last year,” Jackson said. “We want to win some games we couldn’t last year and make it farther in the postseason. To do that, we’re going to have to be ready to battle every game. When this team wants something and is confident they can get it, they don’t give up.”

That leading post player is junior Madison Thompson, who averaged 16 points per game and 15.7 rebounds per contest as a sophomore. She’s surrounded by other impact players, according to Jackson, such as senior Breann O’Riley, junior Bethany Herndon, junior Kelsi Oberhauser, and sophomore Alisha Davison. Jackson also says she “sees a few freshmen” who could help North Nodaway off the bench.

The Mustangs finished 3-3 in 275 Conference play in 2014-2015.

“I think our conference this year is very competitive,” Jackson said. “There are a lot of teams that can cause an upset any given night. I think it could be an interesting season.”

North Nodaway will tip off its 2015-2016 campaign at 6 p.m. Nov. 23 at Union Star before its home opener at 6 p.m. Nov. 24 against South Nodaway.

“I’m excited for this season,” Jackson said. “We have a lot of returners from last year and we know how much work it takes to get what we want. This is going to be a fun team to watch grow throughout the season.”