NORTHEAST WOMEN’S BASKETBALL READIES FOR EXCITING SEASON AHEAD

NORFOLK, Neb. – The Northeast Community College women's basketball team has a few new faces and are excited to display the work that they have put in throughout the offseason. The Hawks will host their first home game at 5:30 p.m. Monday night at the Cox Activities Center in Norfolk against Midland University JV and will compete in their first conference matchup at 1 p.m. on Saturday, November 30 against Marshalltown Community College at home in Norfolk.

Matt Svehla enters his 31st season as the head coach of the women's basketball program at Northeast and he is thrilled that his team is buying into the process so far this year.

"It's a long season," Svehla said. "It gets started right after school starts. It's a process and it's a grind. One day at a time. Our goal ultimately is to be playing the best basketball at the end of the year. Let's be there for each other. Team chemistry is important. We have high-character people."

When Svehla looks at his roster, there are plenty of things that make him excited about this group.

"We've got a lot of new faces and we have returned a few people," Svehla said. "We aren't relying on one or two people to say that they have to get us 25 points a night. The team component has been emphasized, and I think the girls get that."

Allison Richards led the Hawks in scoring last season and is now continuing her career at Chadron State College in Chadron, Nebraska after graduating from Northeast. Svehla knows replacing Richards' production won't be easy, but there are a few sophomores that he is looking forward to having back for their second season in a Hawks uniform.

"Clara Garrote (Salamanca, Spain) and Esmee Creyghton (Leiderdorp, Netherlands) are two returning starters that started a majority of our games last season," Svehla said. "Clara is probably our top returning scorer. Her and Esmee did a good job of rebounding for us. Mia Wiederin (Norfolk, Neb.), a transfer from Concordia University, brings some college experience and is very comfortable. They play together and move the ball. Wonderful people and there is zero selfishness with this group."

As far as newcomers are concerned, there is plenty for Svehla to like about the freshman group that he has put together.

"They all have a different story," Svehla said. "Aaliyah Jones (Rapid City, S.D.) and Vilique Fallis (Rapid City, S.D.) are two girls who were teammates in high school, and they have brought good energy to the floor. Those two plus Mia have high motors, and they have what I call pretty good gas tanks. They sustain it pretty well."

Svehla is also pleased with the experience that his freshman class accumulated throughout their careers in high school.

"Emma Centrella (Varese, Italy) and Hannah Schieffer (Crofton, Neb.) are two players that understand what we are doing," Svehla said. "Kelsy Steffen (West Point, Neb.) brings a lot of high-level state tournament experience. I like that we have a couple of players that come from prestigious high schools in the state. That winning way is something that you hope translates here as well."

Practices have run smoothly throughout the preseason, which Svehla credits to a number of different factors.

"They are really understanding, maybe because of the coaching they had in high school or our leadership of our returners," Svehla said. "They know when to go and when to be attentive. That has been a real positive. The effort has been attentive and consistent. I like the consistency that they bring. If you practice consistent, you hope that you show up and not have those nights where you don't show up."

When it's all said and done, Svehla wants his group rounding into form at the right time in February and March.

"Can you rise to the occasion, play the right way and give yourself a chance?" Svehla said. "I think our whole goal is to play together and you hope that you are playing your best basketball at the end of the year."

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