In head coach Jenny Turpel‘s second year, the Harper College women’s basketball team has already doubled its win total from the entire 2013-14 campaign. The real challenge starts tonight as the Hawks open N4C play at No. 4 Rock Valley College at 5:30 PM.
The Hawks are 6-9 on the season with a 3-3 mark at home and 3-6 mark on the road. They are led by star sophomore Joslyn Nicholson (/Cary-Grove), who has already won Region IV Player of the Week and NJCAA Division III Player of the Week honors. Her 23.7 points a game ranks sixth in the nation and 11.5 rebounds per game is good for 29th in the country. Nicholson is also disruptive on defense with 2.7 steals per game, 11th in the nation.
Despite losing guard Nastia Solsaa (/Menomonie ) (9.1 PPG, 6.0 RPG) to a season-ending injury, the Hawks have several contributors. Ashonte Sims (/Normal Community West) (9.7 PPG, 5.5 RPG) and point guard Kim Herzog (/Buffalo Grove) (8.2 PPG, 4.3 APG) have also been reliable scoring the ball as well as Hawks leading three-point shooter Lane Winkler (Arlington Heights, Ill./Rolling Meadows) (6.2 PPG, 6.9 RPG). The Hawks also welcomed the addition of Sarah Nelson (/Warren Township ) at the semester break and have gotten strong defensive contribution from Shannon Koch (/Prospect) in her 14 appearances.
Here’s a look at the records of each N4C team in non-conference play:
Rock Valley 11-5
Joliet 11-5
Milwaukee 10-5
Madison 7-3
DuPage 6-8
Harper 6-9
Wright 4-9
Triton 1-15
Harper plays each conference opponent two times in league play. Here’s a breakdown of each opponent:
Harper at Rock Valley, Jan. 7
Rock Valley at Harper, Jan. 31
The Golden Eagles placed second in the nation last year at the NJCAA Div. III level. As a team, they score 68.9 PPG and surrender 60.9 PPG.
Rock Valley has four players who score more than 12 points per game, led by sophomores Samantha Rundblade (14.9 PPG) and Yowana Posey (13.3 PPG, 9.9 RPG). Ashley Seaton (13.1 PPG) and point guard Zemoria Jernigan (12.2 PPG, 6.5 APG) are key scorers as well.
The Golden Eagles were victorious in both matchups with the Hawks last season.
Harper at Triton, Jan. 10
Triton at Harper, Feb. 4
The Trojans feature two players who average in double digits scoring, sophomores Candace Madison (19.0 PPG, 11.3 RPG) and Cre’ Williams (10.9 PPG, 8.6 RPG).
Last season, Triton swept the season series from Harper with 54-52 and 59-43 victories.
Wright at Harper, Jan. 14
Harper at Wright, Feb. 7
The Rams are led by the nation’s top scorer at the NJCAA Div. II level, freshman guard Tayja Dean (27.8 PPG, 10.5 RPG). Fellow freshman guard Jieve Morris (17.2 PPG, 4.8 RPG) provides a solid complement to Dean. Wright comes into the conference slate on a four-game losing skid.
Turpel and the Hawks are looking to avenge two narrow losses by a combined eight points last season to Wright.
Harper at DuPage, Jan. 17
DuPage at Harper, Feb. 11
The Chapparals are led by the nation’s top scorer at the NJCAA Div. III level, sophomore guard Madeline Baillie (28.1 PPG, 7.9 RPG). Fellow sophomore Breanna Venson (15.8 PPG, 9.2 RPG) completes a strong 1-2 scoring punch for DuPage.
College of DuPage took both matchups against the Hawks last year on its way to a fourth place finish in the N4C with an 8-6 record.
Harper at Joliet, Jan. 21
Joliet at Harper, Feb. 14
The Wolves, who are ranked ninth nationally, find ways to win despite not having a single scorer averaging in double figures. Eight players score five or more points a game, led by Le’royia Campbell (9.4 PPG, 5.1 RPG) and Naomi Mayes (8.6 PPG). Hillary Dietahin leads the team in rebounding at 8.1 per contest, and guard Coriesha Bailey is averaging 6.4 assists per game, good for 11th in the nation.
Joliet swept the season series from Harper last year.
Milwaukee at Harper, Jan. 24
Harper at Milwaukee (at Alverno College), Feb. 18
The Stormers come into the conference schedule hot with a seven-game winning streak. Milwaukee’s potent offensive attack is led by the team’s leading scorer and rebounder, Trisha Patton (15.9 PPG, 9.5 RPG). Shonnice Vaughn (14.6 PPG, 7.7 RPG), DeAndrea Jones (11.6 PPG, 6.3 RPG) and Taishae Hunter (11.0 PPG, 7.7 RPG) all average in double figures as well.
The Stormers won 24 games in the 2013-14 season after winning just six games (6-21) in the 2012-13 season. Milwaukee won both games over the Hawks last season and went 10-3 in N4C play.
Harper at Madison, Jan. 28
Madison at Harper, Feb. 21
Madison posted a solid 7-3 record out of conference this season. The WolfPack has plenty of scoring options, with the top one being Taylor Nelson (15.7 PPG, 5.0 RPG). Jenna Endres comes off the bench to score 10.4 a game, and Sydney Harms (9.3 PPG) and Kelly Calhoun (8.0 PPG) are also reliable options. Madison’s 73.8 points per game is ninth-best in the country.
The WolfPack knocked off the Hawks in both showdowns last season on its way to a 10-4 mark in the N4C and 21-10 overall record.
