Saints women’s basketball short-handed, surviving

It was an odd sight Wednesday night in the Mt. Hood gymnasium when only five players were dressed for the Saints women’s basketball team. Freshmen Kelsey Wells and Kristin Rachinski nursed injuries on the bench, but encouraged their teammates to give it their all.

As for the result, Mt. Hood (0-2 in the NWAC South Region, and 5-8 overall) went on to lose a fairly tight contest 58-49 to Clark College of Vancouver.

Not too shabby, considering the circumstances for first-year head coach John Hawley.

Hawley talking to the players on a timeout. Taken by Jon Fucillo.

“I was real proud of the way we played,” Hawley said following the loss. “These last two league games have been difficult down the stretch and we just couldn’t finish the play and a lot of fatigue (has kicked in). It’s hard running up and down the court and playing our style of basketball.”

Three Saints finished in double figures in the losing effort to Clark (1-1, 9-5). Sophomores Jesse Morris and Lacey Weddle both scored a team-high 14 points, while sophomore Madison Weaver chipped in with 10 points.

Hawley remains positive through the team’s adversity and plans on giving every opponent the Saints’ all, regardless of how many players the women have currently or end up with this season.

“They’re calling themselves the “Fab Five” and having a great time” with it, Hawley said. “They pick each other up and understand what’s going on.”

The active roster includes Morris, Weddle, Weaver and sophomores Alexis Imbler and Delanee Martin.

Hawley wishes things could have worked out differently, especially with his talented bunch.

“It’s been hard, but these are the cards that we’ve been dealt and I only have control over those five (players). I have been extremely happy as a coach for their effort and for how hard they’re fighting,” he said.

The Saints have had only the five active players since Dec. 17, first losing Wells to a stress fracture on Nov. 29 before Rachinski twisted her ankle.

Hawley explained that two of his other players are ineligible to play, but declined to go further into detail.

Things got a little funky on Dec. 29 during the Chemeketa Holiday Tournament. During a 67-61 loss to the host Storm, the Saints were left with just three players on the court for the final 13 seconds, after Weddle fouled out. They had already played the final 11 minutes with a 5-4 disadvantage, after Morris fouled out.

“That was definitely different and difficult,” Hawley said. “We had a great opportunity against Chemeketa, even given the circumstances.”

Moving forward, the Saints plan on executing their game plan the same way, and Hawley hopes his five players can do their best to stay out of foul trouble each game.

The Saints travel south to the state’s capital to face Chemeketa (0-1, 4-10) on Tuesday. The game is slated for 5:30 p.m.

Next week in The Advocate, look for in-depth coverage of the Saints men’s basketball team, currently 1-1 in the South Region, 4-9 overall. Also, look for a feature on Saints sophomore guard Jamal Muhammad.

The men will take on the Chemeketa Storm (1-0, 10-4) this Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. The Saints look to bounce back after falling to the Clark Penguins (2-0, 11-3) 85-63 last Wednesday.

Advocate Staff