By TRAVIS HARMON-SMITH
Sports Editor
Northwestern men’s basketball looks for an amazing year in the NCAA Division II Great American Conference. Ranger men’s basketball finished the 2013-14 campaign with a 12-14, 9-11 Great American Conference record as head coach Andrew Brown returns for his eighth season here.
Northwestern lost many important members of the 2013 roster, as Bruce Wright, Brandon Wooley, and Eze Akwari all departed, finishing their respective careers. But with point guards T’Aries Taylor and Darrian Dempsey returning in the backcourt for the Rangers, Brown has more options in his offensive repertoire. Small forward Adrian Motley, sometimes called a “one-man highlight reel” because of his ability to slash through the lane and elevate for monstrous dunks, should excite Ranger fans this season at historical Percefull Field House.
Brown’s recruiting class will also provide a bright future for the Northwestern basketball program. During last year’s recruiting process, Brown was able to attract a few talented players from Texas. Junior college transfer Derrick Modest, from Dallas, provides more rebounding and shot-blocking ability with his 6 foot 5 inch frame. Another hot young prospect is freshman Brandon Green. Green, from Houston, provides a major spark at the point guard position.
Northwestern men’s basketball recently opened the 2014 season in an exhibition match-up against the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma, losing a tight one 62-58. Dempsey finished with a team-high 17 points, while Motley finished the night with 13 points and four rebounds.
Northwestern Lady Ranger basketball is also primed for another competitive year in the Great American Conference. After Northwestern finished 2013 with a 7-19 record, the Lady Rangers looked a bit youthful last season as head coach Eric Bozeman used his freshman recruiting class early into the rotation.
Despite losing senior point guards Dierra Gilmore, and Kierra Gilmore, who graduated last spring, Bozeman has high confidence in his new young group of women this season. More than just determined, the Lady Rangers look more poised and comfortable in practice.
One bright spot for the Lady Rangers will be the play of returning sophomore power forward Micaela Yu, who provided a huge spark last season underneath the basket with her rebounding ability and hard tenacious play in the paint.
“We just have to stick together as a team,” said Yu after a recent practice. “We have a sisterhood here, and that’s one of the main components that will be needed to ensure a successful 2014 winning season.”
“They’ve bought into the system and have developed close sincerity with one another,” Bozeman said. “These ladies have worked hard all preseason to establish an identity in the Great American Conference”.
Along with establishing an identity, Bozeman also explained the intangibles that will play an important factor during the 2014 campaign.
“I’ve brought in some new freshman during this year’s recruiting process, which will play important roles this season,” said Bozeman. “I like to recruit high school kids, because I feel they will get embedded into the university and community.”
One element that will be critical for Lady Ranger basketball success this season will be the up-tempo guard play of returnees Jonae Isaac and Ashley Pride.
Isaac, a freshman last season, displayed good instinctive decision-making. Isaac also has advanced her ball-handling skills during the offseason to be more versatile around the perimeter.
Pride also came on the scene early last season as a freshman and provided a spark in the back court. With her ability to make sharp cuts and tremendous speed with effective ball-handling skills, Pride will be a major component for the Lady Rangers this season.
Bozeman’s goal this season ultimately is to obtain a conference championship, or any championship hardware.
“Winning a conference championship defines your team, which is pretty much a 20-game season in its entirety,” Bozeman said. “We want to get better, we’re young, predominantly freshman and sophomore, we have one junior and three seniors, which we feel is a pretty good mix.”