Trappers fall to pair of Region IX foesThe Northwest College Trappers grounded Travis Air Force Base over the weekend, but lost to a pair of high-flying Region IX foes at the Air Force Prep women's basketball tournament. The results level the Trappers' season record at 3-3 overall this year. “We saw that we could compete against some of the better teams in the region,” said Trapper head coach Janis Beal. “Now we need to come back to practice, focus on the little things, and continue to get better as a team.”The Trappers opened the tournament with a 79-65 loss against perennial Region IX powerhouse Western Nebraska last Thursday. The team recovered to blast Travis AFB by a 96-37 count on Friday, but dropped the final night of the tournament 79-64 against Northeastern on Saturday. The Trappers played both Friday's and Saturday's games without Mckenzie Garrett. The Kaysville, Utah, freshman suffered an injury on the tournament's first night and sat out the final two contests. The Trappers faced a tall test on the opening night of the tournament. Not only did Western Nebraska enter the contest with the No. 15 ranking in the NJCAA's preseason women's basketball poll, but the Cougars came armed with a 6-foot-7 post player that presented a unique challenge to Beal's crew. “She was a legit 6-foot-7 that we had to defend,” said Beal. “I thought we did a nice job dealing with something we're not usually confronted by.”The Trappers actually held a 32-31 lead at intermission and pressed that advantage to as many as seven points in the second half before Western was able to rally. “We didn't value the possession like we should have,” said Beal. “We can't make little mistakes like that against a team of Western's caliber.”Megan Goodman finished with 13 points and Sharla Stevenson added 12 for NWC in the loss. Friday's game saw five Trapper players reach double figures as the team simply ran away from Travis AFB. “They've only had a program for a year or two,” said Beal. “They were short on numbers and, being from California, I think the elevation bothered them as well. It was a game where we had to play against goals we set for ourselves and work on some areas we know needed work.”Goodman again led the way with 16 points. Megan Smith had 13 points. Stevenson, Jessica Fisher and Laura Purina added 12 apiece. Against Northeastern, the Trappers faced an opponent that had already defeated them once this season. Unlike the 20-point first-half hole the Trappers dug in their first encounter, Northwest was able to stay within nine in the first half.“We still need to improve in rebounding, but overall I thought we did a much better job of playing them this time,” said Beal. Purina finished with 13 points and Stevenson and Goodman chipped in with 12. The Trappers, 3-3, are scheduled to play an NWC Alumni game at 5:30 p.m. this Saturday for their next action.

Trappers fall to pair of Region IX foes

The Northwest College Trappers grounded Travis Air Force Base over the weekend, but lost to a pair of high-flying Region IX foes at the Air Force Prep women's basketball tournament. The results level the Trappers' season record at 3-3 overall this year.

“We saw that we could compete against some of the better teams in the region,” said Trapper head coach Janis Beal. “Now we need to come back to practice, focus on the little things, and continue to get better as a team.”

The Trappers opened the tournament with a 79-65 loss against perennial Region IX powerhouse Western Nebraska last Thursday. The team recovered to blast Travis AFB by a 96-37 count on Friday, but dropped the final night of the tournament 79-64 against Northeastern on Saturday.

The Trappers played both Friday's and Saturday's games without Mckenzie Garrett. The Kaysville, Utah, freshman suffered an injury on the tournament's first night and sat out the final two contests.

The Trappers faced a tall test on the opening night of the tournament. Not only did Western Nebraska enter the contest with the No. 15 ranking in the NJCAA's preseason women's basketball poll, but the Cougars came armed with a 6-foot-7 post player that presented a unique challenge to Beal's crew.

“She was a legit 6-foot-7 that we had to defend,” said Beal. “I thought we did a nice job dealing with something we're not usually confronted by.”

The Trappers actually held a 32-31 lead at intermission and pressed that advantage to as many as seven points in the second half before Western was able to rally.

“We didn't value the possession like we should have,” said Beal. “We can't make little mistakes like that against a team of Western's caliber.”

Megan Goodman finished with 13 points and Sharla Stevenson added 12 for NWC in the loss.

Friday's game saw five Trapper players reach double figures as the team simply ran away from Travis AFB.

“They've only had a program for a year or two,” said Beal. “They were short on numbers and, being from California, I think the elevation bothered them as well. It was a game where we had to play against goals we set for ourselves and work on some areas we know needed work.”

Goodman again led the way with 16 points. Megan Smith had 13 points. Stevenson, Jessica Fisher and Laura Purina added 12 apiece.

Against Northeastern, the Trappers faced an opponent that had already defeated them once this season. Unlike the 20-point first-half hole the Trappers dug in their first encounter, Northwest was able to stay within nine in the first half.

“We still need to improve in rebounding, but overall I thought we did a much better job of playing them this time,” said Beal.

Purina finished with 13 points and Stevenson and Goodman chipped in with 12.

The Trappers, 3-3, are scheduled to play an NWC Alumni game at 5:30 p.m. this Saturday for their next action.