With the Norse basketball season just around the corner, this year’s Women’s team is optimistic. With seven returning, three freshmen and two transfer players, none of which are seniors, the team is young but prepared.

Guard and small forward Brittany Winner, a junior majoring in Spanish Education, said that a personal challenge has been leadership. “With no seniors on the team,” Winner said, “the juniors have really had to step up. Making myself a leader on the floor has been tough but I look at it as an opportunity to become a better player. ”

Head Coach Nancy Winstel, who is in her 23rds season with the team said, “There’s been a lot of teaching but our chemistry is good and the team is enthusiastic.” She said there are a lot of good players but no stars just yet. “It will be interesting to see how it plays out, there are a lot of possibilities.” She said. “Our coaching staff are either geniuses or idiots.”

The season begins on November 16th with the game versus Wilberforce but the team has been practicing since mid-October. Junior Secondary Education major Karmen Graham said, “We’re pretty excited. We’ve worked really hard and we’re ready to come out and get off to a great start.” Graham said that a team challenge has been just coming together to play in unison.

Coach Winstel said, “We haven’t had all the time to develop our chemistry and we need to know where we are on the court. We need to work on our defense and rebounding…shooting isn’t everything.”

Winner said that size is a major advantage to the Norse team. “We have five girls who are over six foot. We can really use that.” She said. “I just want to get out there and see what we can do.”

Some of this year’s biggest games are expected to be against Lewis, Bellarmine, Indianapolis and Drury. “Any conference game is expected to be a good one.” Said Coach Winstel, “But Drury is rated number one right now so that should be an interesting and anticipated game.”

The Norse Women’s Basketball team plays their first game against Wilberforce on Wednesday November 16. The game will be held at Regent’s Hall at 7pm.