HAWKS WOMEN’S BASKETBALL READIES FOR REGULAR SEASON

NORFOLK, Neb. – The winter sports season is upon us and the Northeast Community College women's basketball team is gearing up to hit the floor for the first time this year. The Hawks start their schedule on the road against Southeast Community College at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday in Beatrice, Nebraska. The first home contest for Northeast will be at 5:30 p.m. Friday at the Cox Activities Center in Norfolk.

Head women's basketball coach Matt Svehla has been at the helm of the Hawks for nearly 30 years, but the anticipation hasn't lessened at all as the years have gone by.

"I think every team in the country right now is jacked up and ready to go," Svehla said. "I'm excited. It's fun."

It's natural to have that emotion, but Svehla points out that you have to make sure that it's reeled in.

"If you ask the girls they would probably say, 'Oh my gosh, we can't wait,'" Svehla said. "We are more about a business approach at practice."

Autumn Dickmander (Brule, Neb.) stands out as the lone returning player who suited up in the majority of last year's games for the Hawks.

"We return only three players, and really Autumn Dickmander is the lone returner who played extensive games and minutes for us," Svehla said. "Autumn started almost every ballgame and had a pretty good year for us. She averaged 12 points a game."

Dickmander is joined by Alexis Bliven (Holdrege, Neb.) and Marta Pons (Sevilla, Spain) as veteran leaders on the team.

"Both Marta Pons and Alexis Blivens were key players for us," Svehla said. "Those three are good kids. They demonstrate leadership in different ways."

Of the players that are new to the program, Svehla is thrilled that they all bring special attributes to the squad.

"We have 12 girls and really as of now everyone has been getting playing time," Svehla said. "One scrimmage maybe these two stand out. The next scrimmage they might be quiet and these other two play well. We have some depth. We have a number of people who can play and look like they fit on the floor."

Svehla points out that guard play is something that he is expecting to be a major asset to this year's team.

"We have a couple of point guards in Stevi Fallis (Pine Ridge, S.D.) and Analyssa Maldonado (Sunnyside, Wash.)," Svehla said. "Allison Richards (Pine Ridge, S.D.) can play the point a little bit. We have some girls in that group who bring some quickness, bring some ball handling and the ability to pass the basketball. I always think that when the ball is under control and in good hands, we can find success. Good guards are a luxury to have. I think you handle pressure better with that, you can run stuff and you can get some transition baskets."

Svehla says it is difficult to say for sure who will be the players he relies on as the season progresses.

"It's hard to really identify particular players yet at this point," Svehla said. "That is still working itself out and we will see where that goes as the season progresses. Right now, everyone has shown that they can get some things done for us and contribute."

Does a lot of talented players up and down the roster make it difficult for Svehla?

"Sometimes you want people to separate themselves because it makes your job as a coach easier," Svehla said with a laugh. "It's good. There can be competition for playing time and minutes. I also think we have some players who maybe are better in this situation, but another player might be better in that situation. We might have some different lineups that we can go to depending on circumstances."

When it is all said and done and the season is over, what does Svehla want to see from his group to consider the season a successful one?

"We all want to hang banners and get trophies," Svehla said. "Ultimately, you just want your team to be as good as they can be and to get better every day. We want to be playing our best basketball at the end. That happened for us last year. We didn't have the total wins that we wanted for the year, but I liked the way that we finished. As the season progresses, we'll see where we are. Just stay the course and concentrate on getting better every day."

If Svehla ran into someone in the community and they asked him why they should come out to a game, Svehla would love to sell them on his team.

"I'm hoping that we can bring an exciting brand of basketball," Svehla said. "We have some players who can play up-tempo. I think that makes it a little more exciting if you can push the basketball. We have a lot of new players and I'd like to think there can be community interest in, 'Hey, let's see who the new faces are out there.' We have a collective group of players from a lot of different places. Getting them to play together and gel is always fun."

The brand of basketball on the floor is one that has the potential to be thrilling.

"We'll bring a product where the girls are going to play hard," Svehla said. "I think we have the ability to play up-tempo. There will be nights where we shoot really well. Those are things that the fans like to see, and I think we can provide that for them."

If there's one thing for certain, it's that Svhela is ready to go.

"It's game time!"

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