Basketball teams look to build off strength of '07-'08 seasons |
| Posted by Administrator on Nov 10 2008 |
Photo by Garrett Ritonya
Drake Beranek, a junior from Ravenna, shoots over a pair of Colorado Mines defenders in a game last season. Beranek is the Preseason Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Player of the Year.
By Garrett Ritonya
Antelope Staff
In 2008, the University of Nebraska-Kearney Men's and Women's Basketball Teams experienced strong seasons, with the men finishing extremely well and the women moving into the third round of the NCAA Division II Tournament.
This year, both teams are looking to improve on what was established last year, and other schools around the country should watch out for the Lopers.
The Loper women are expected to have another solid season, which was evident when they were selected the preseason number 22 team in Division II.
Leading the Lady Lopers is senior guard Jade Meads, who averaged 15.4 points and 4.8 rebounds per game last season. Meads was selected as the Preseason Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year.
"It's an honor to receive this award, but I am more focused on the team as a whole and winning enough games to get back to the NCAA's," said Meads, a senior guard from Elm Creek. "This team has all the potential in the world, and it will take solid play from every girl to reach our goal of winning an RMAC Championship."
After losing two key starters, Melissa Hinkley and 2007-2008 RMAC Player of the Year Amy Mathis, from last year's 27-7 team, the Lady Lopers return a "smaller" lineup that will rely on perimeter shooting.
"I know I am going to have to step up my game this year," said Megan Becker, a junior forward from Beaver City and the Lopers tallest starter at 6'1. "My play in the post, as well as the play of the girls on the perimeter will determine whether we are successful or not."
Last season, the Lady Lopers reached the NCAA Tournament before losing to eventual Division II Runner-Up South Dakota. Their 27-win output was the second most in school history, behind only 28 wins in 1996.
Lady Lopers play their annual exhibition game against Nebraska-Lincoln Nov. 5 in Grand Island.
The Huskers defeated Chadron State 108-30 earlier this week, so the Lady Lopers have their work cut out for them.
"We are going into that game knowing we are going to play our hearts out," Meads said. "If we can play solid defense and pressure them to turnovers, we could surprise some people."
The UNK men finished last season at 16-13, but did win 9 out of their final 12 RMAC games and were just one game away from advancing to the NCAA Division II Tournament. One of the main returning starters is Preseason RMAC Player of the Year Drake Beranek.
Beranek, a junior forward from Ravenna, averaged 20.5 points and 9.3 rebounds per game last season for the Lopers while shooting 49 percent from beyond the three-point line. He was also named a Preseason All-American by Street and Smith's magazine.
The men's team was selected to finish second in the East division of the RMAC behind conference rival Metro State.
The UNK men and women begin their regular seasons Nov. 17 against in-state rival University of Nebraska-Omaha at the Health and Sports Center.
Back
