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No rest for Bronco women
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While most of the students of Boise State are settling in for the new semester from a relaxing holiday season, the Boise State women’s basketball team has been working hard to get an upper hand on the stake that is the Western Athletic Conference.
And with four WAC games played, it looks like the Broncos’ hand has room to
go up or down.
With a 2-2 record in the WAC, and a 10-6 record overall, the Broncos sit in fifth place in the WAC, tied with New Mexico State.
But before Boise State got a crack at its fellow WAC opponents, the Broncos started the break on Dec.18 with a win over San Diego 68-51. The Broncos followed with a loss to San Diego State 54-51 on Dec. 20, a 61-50 win against San Francisco on December 28 and finished 2005 with a New Year’s Eve 62-55 victory over Weber State.
Then the WAC season officially began.
The Broncos didn’t quite get the opening that would have been most beneficial, as the game went in the direction of Louisiana Tech, 75-61 on Jan. 5. The Broncos followed up the opening loss with another to New Mexico State, 61-60 in overtime on Jan. 12.
But before the Broncos could get too down-hearted about opening the WAC
season with two losses, they finished the break with two big WAC victories
against Utah State on Jan 12 and Nevada on January 14.
The 70-38 victory over Utah State was an obvious release of intensity that had been building. Now after the recent 58-50 win over
Nevada, the Broncos have pulled even on the season in the WAC, and seem
poised to move for positioning before it’s too late.
And it’s far from too late.
Even in the two losses the Broncos have shown glimmers of excellence. In the
loss to LaTech Jackie Lee gave the Broncos 22 points and Nadia Begay added
another 19. In the overtime loss – a step away from being (3-1) – Lee,
Michelle Hessing, and Thompson all had double-digits.
The last two victories have been huge for the Broncos, and there’s no reason
to believe that the positive swing in momentum will stop now.
In the two victories Jessica Thompson had 26 total points, Jackie Lee had
25.
Nadia Begay scored 19 points against Utah State and Michelle Hessing had a
breakout game against Nevada with 14 points. With Hessing making the break,
and Jackie Lee posting her first career double-double against Nevada (14
points, 13 rebounds), it seems the Bronco women have come alive at the best
time.
The rest of January is going to be trying for the young Broncos. Tonight, the Broncos face San Jose State at 7 p.m. (PT) in San Jose. The Spartans are (2-0) in conference and are currently in the second spot. Being able to give the Spartans their first win will give the Broncos an incredible boost.
On Jan. 23 the Broncos host Hawai’i. The Rainbow Wahine (1-2) would love to
come in and give the Broncos a taste of defeat on their home court. Then comes the rematch with Nevada. To take the series against the Wolf Pack would be the biggest step at that point at bearing teeth to the rest of the
conference. If the talent and ability of the Broncos can run the table to
this point they will be in prime position for a rivalry beating against the
Vandals on Jan. 28.
The Vandals are currently one spot ahead of the Broncos in the WAC
standings.
If the Broncos can even split the four games, and remain .500 for the
season, it will keep them in the middle of the WAC pack or better.
But is looking like an up year for a team that was picked to finish near the bottom in the conference, the team has already been surpassing expectations, and showing everyone around the WAC a team that is going to be dangerous as the season gets older, and the players age as well.
True freshman Jessica Thompson showing herself to be a lead scorer, Jackie Lee becoming a serious offensive and defensive threat and Nadia Begay coming off the bench as a consistent double-digit scorer, this Bronco team promises to be solid up to
the Conference tournament, the post-season and for years to come.
But for now the goal has got to be looking at one game at a time. If the Broncos can center in on the Spartans they can strike a crucial blow to the alignment of the WAC. Knowing coach Gordy Presnell, that would be his goal as well. Presnell has done an excellent job so far of keeping his squad’s focus on the game at hand.
Mike Sharp
Sports Writer and Arbiter Sports Staff
