The Hillsdale College women’s basketball team is tipping off its season this weekend, hoping to use an aggressive offensive strategy to trump last year’s 16-10 record.
The season will begin with home games Friday and Saturday against McKendree and Illinois-Springfield, teams from the Great Lakes Valley Conference, at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m., respectively. The Chargers are hoping to put forth an aggressive offensive strategy this year, starting against a team they beat 71-59 last season.
“Right now, the team is anxious to get started with our games. We’ve been practicing for several weeks and we really feel that we’re ready to get out on the court,” head coach Todd Mitmesser said. “Those first few games are like a measuring stick in a test. They tell you where you’re at, at that given time, and I think the team is really wanting to get rolling and see where we’re at.”
Sophomore forward Makenna Ott said she thinks they can beat both teams this weekend.
“We need to play how we play and not to what they want us to play. If we just do what we’re coached to do and what we know how to do, we’ll win,” Ott said of Friday’s upcoming game. “Winning Friday and Saturday would be a great way to start off the season, with two wins under our belt. We would be able to show the others how tough the GLIAC is.”
The team was ranked No. 5 out of seven in the GLIAC South Coaches’ Poll based on their performance last season.
“Obviously, we have a different opinion, because we know what we’ve been doing since the end of last season until now,” Mitmesser said.
Their pre-season workouts have changed since last year, when the open-gym style practices led to frequent injuries.
“This year, we slowly moved into conditioning with jump training, track workouts, pool workouts, and then on-court workouts. All of that during pre-season, the first six to eight weeks of school has really helped us get to where we are now and in condition for the season,” Ott said.
Athletic, tall, and quick, the team is ready to play up-tempo this year, according to Mitmesser.
Each player possesses a set of skills enabling her to attack defenses in several ways; most players can both hit threes and play with their back to the basket. Plus, the height of the team means that many lineups are 5 feet 10 inches and taller.
“I think we’re very offensive-minded, and so a struggle for us is going to be to carry that same aggressive mentality to defense as well. Even in our first two scrimmages, defense has been a little lacking. It’s one of the things that I know personally I’m really trying to work on, and we’re getting there,” senior guard Morgan Blair said.
The team added four freshmen to replace last year’s four graduates. Mitmesser described them as tall, athletic, talented basketball players who he expects to contribute to the team quite a bit this year.
“I think the best part about them is that they work very hard, but they know how to have fun too,” Blair said. “They’re not just always serious, they can lighten the mood at practices or lifts when we need just a lighter moment.”
Mitmesser did not designate captains this year, instead allowing more opportunities for everyone on the team to lead in some way.
He noted, however, that the two seniors on the team, guards Blair and Becca Scherting, will stabilize the team with their experience.
“Becca Scherting does a great job of getting to the basket and is one of the best on-ball defenders in the league,” Mitmesser said. “Morgan Blair, our other senior, is an all-around great basketball player with a variety of skills and we’re looking to see her do many things for us offensively and defensively as one of our most experienced players.”
Other top returners include juniors Allie Dittmer and Maddy Reed and sophomores Allie Dewire and Ott.
This year, Mitmesser has changed up the practice structure — to the benefit of the team, players said — and aims to improve defense in getting half-court stops. He said he’s putting people where they need to be successful and to use the skills they’ve been working on for years.
Blair said despite the tough competition in the GLIAC, she’s excited for the Charger’s last year in the conference.
“This year, with it being our last season, there’s a lot of pressure to really go out and leave a mark, and to have a better record than last year,” Blair said. “Honestly, I’m kind of sad about leaving, but it just kind of drives me that much more to make my last year that much better.”
