Chloe Burdette
Sports Editor
The College of Wooster Fighting Scots Women’s Basketball team started their 2018-2019 season in November, and at present have an overall record of 3-3, with an 0-2 mark in NCAC play. With a tough conference game against the Ohio Wesleyan Battling Bishops in Timken Gymnasium on Dec. 15, the Scots look to get on track in conference and secure a much needed win. They will rely on the 11 returning players from last year to keep a steady momentum going, and bank on five first-year newcomers to bring energy and new skills to the team.
The squad is hoping to improve their game from last year, and the early returns this season speak to that already happening. A major emphasis for any team is to identify strengths and weaknesses, and continue to enhance and improve as the season progresses. Maria Janasko ’21 commented on the team’s ultimate strengths. “Our strengths include playing at a fast tempo. We have very good shooters! We’re pretty solid within the posts as well. Most importantly, we work really well together and always support each other.” For weaknesses, Janasko determined that the team struggles with consistency in overall gameplay. “I think we have a hard time putting all the pieces together to get that win. We know we are capable of great things, but sometimes we struggle with a particular part of the game and that’s what keeps us from winning.”
As for Anna Gibbs ’19, she was adamant on mentioning the team’s overall talent as a double-edged sword — acting as a strength and a weakness. “Our strengths are the level of talent we have. We are a very deep team with a lot people that can play. We also are extremely close and very good friends off the court. That said, our weakness is that we do not even know how good we are, and at times, we don’t realize our full potential.”
Even when the team struggles with their weaknesses, they make sure they understand why they are playing the game they love, and what it means to play as a Fighting Scot. Gibbs emphatically stated, “A Fighting Scot means someone that is resilient, someone that fights and competes even in the face of adversity and is successful.” As a senior leader, Gibbs makes sure that this message is echoed by the whole team. “I lead by example by giving 100 percent in every practice and every game. I try to be the best teammate I can by being a positive voice every day and supporting my teammates.”
The team is more than excited to see what the new first-years bring to the table as the season progresses. With five new players, all with their own individual dynamic skill sets, it will be interesting to see their contribution to each game this season.
“Yes! They have a lot of talent and I’m really excited to see how they will contribute to the team as a whole as we move forward with the season,” Janasko said. “I have noticed that they adapted fairly quickly to playing at a college level, and they seem to handle pressure very well. They do their part to contribute to the team!” she said.
As for tough competition, the team is preparing to play against DePauw University. The Tigers were the Division-III champions back in 2007 and 2013, and make it to the conference championships frequently. With their lofty national ranking and their powerful roster, the Tigers may be a challenge for the Scots later down the road. “In my opinion, our toughest opponent will be Depauw,” Gibbs replied. “They are always nationally ranked and a top team in the conference, so playing them will be the ultimate test and will prove that we can compete with anybody.” The Scots will welcome DePauw to Timken on Saturday, Jan. 5 and travel to Indiana to play the Tigers on Saturday, Feb. 16.
The College of Wooster Fighting Scots will play their next game at Timken Gymnasium on Saturday, Dec. 15 against the Ohio Wesleyan University Battling Bishops. During the Scots’ winter break, the Scots will play six games on the road and three games on their home court, looking to add a few wins to their overall record. Roll Scots!
(Photo from Wooster Athletics)