Women’s basketball drops final game against Linn-Benton

The women’s basketball team lost 69-56 Saturday to the Linn-Benton Roadrunners in their final game, finishing the season with an 8-17 record.

The women tied for sixth in the Southern Region conference with the Roadrunners. Head coach Jocelyn McIntire said the team had hoped to compete for the fourth spot, which would have qualified them for the NWAACC tournament, but she knew it would be challenging.

The women’s team would have finished in fifth place but were forced to forfeit three games after unknowingly playing an ineligible athlete.

McIntire said the situation was unfortunate. “We placed fifth based upon our real win-loss record but because of the forfeit, we dropped to (sixth). That was disappointing for the girls,” she said.

Asked about the final game, McIntire said, “We did not want to lose to a team we beat in the first round.”

After a solid first half where the Saints led 30-27, McIntire said the women did not come out ready in the second half, something she said the team has struggled with throughout the season.

Linn-Benton picked up momentum and outscored the Saints 42-26 in the second half. The team was unable to hold on after losing their rhythm, becoming nervous and tight, said McIntire.

Sophomore point guard Emily Burch tried to hold it together for the Saints, leading with 17 points, six rebounds and five assists. Sophomore guard Kelsey O’Neil scored 13 points while sophomore guard Melissa Carey followed her with 12 points.

Burch also won honorable mention in the NWAACC Southern Region.
A year ago, the women finished in fifth place after getting edged out by Southwestern Oregon Community College, who took fourth again this year.
Overall, McIntire said she is proud of the team who worked hard all season. She said they showed improvement and competed hard in every game.

“Opposing coaches often gave the compliment that my team works very hard.They never give up. I think that says a ton about our girls’ character,” McIntire added.

With the conclusion of her first season as a Saint head coach, McIntire said she learned a lot about the junior college basketball level and gained more confidence in her coaching abilities. “I definitely think I can do this job and do it well,” she said.

Of the team she said, “I think the girls gained more knowledge of the game, they learned more about themselves as players and people.” She added that it is important to understand that “the thing about a team sport is you are constantly put in a position that you have to recognize the whole (team) over yourself.” She said the women “learned how to see the big picture, shoot for a goal, know their role, and try to do their job to the best of their ability.”

Looking to next year, McIntire said she will lose more than half the team, which will change the dynamics. “Once we sign our new players, I will then be able to figure out what we need to do to be more successful.”

Players leaving the program will be Haley Chovich, Carey, O’Neil, Burch and Kierstin Yates. There will be four returning players for next season.

“I am looking forward to having a full session of recruiting,” McIntire said. “I am excited to get more players to add to what we have. It is always exciting as you start to put the puzzle pieces together.” She said it will be nice knowing how everything works after having a year at Mt. Hood.

Training for women’s basketball will resume in April.