THE FRONT ROW WITH JASON ELLIOTT: Wednesday, September 23, 2015
The rules might have changed a little bit in college women’s basketball, but don’t expect to see anything different on the court at North Idaho College.
At least, not quite yet.
EARLIER THIS year, the NJCAA — along with changes at the NCAA level — adopted a rule where women’s games will be played in four 10-minute quarters instead of two 20-minute halves starting with the 2015-16 season. NIC will play its final year in the NJCAA before moving to the Northwest Athletic Conference for the 2016-17 season.
“It kind of gives us an extra two timeouts a half,” NIC women’s basketball coach Chris Carlson said. “That’s probably the only thing that will change. From that, I don’t know how else things are going to change. Play is going to stop a few extra times so you’re going to get a chance to meet with your team a few more times a half.”
Strategies will also remain the same, for the most part.
“I don’t think it’s going to have much effect,” Carlson said. “You might have a chance to plan around something (foul trouble, resting players) and know that you’re going to get a chance to meet with your team. I really don’t see anything specifically with it yet, but we’ll see once things get rolling.”
NIC opens practice on Oct 1, with the first games of the season coming Nov. 5-6 against Sheridan College at Rolly Williams Court.
The Cardinals have nine freshman on the roster this season.
“It’s probably going to seem like normal to them,” Carlson said. “The quarters are going to be a little longer (high school quarters are eight minutes). Some of them don’t know what it’s like to play 20 minutes straight on through, so it will be like they’re playing like last year. I’d like to know what the intent of the change was. If they’re trying to get everyone playing the same universal set, but I don’t think it has anything to do with strategy. Everyone is at different distances and maybe they’re trying to get it on more common ground for everyone. I’m going to guess it’s more playing toward the international game, and everything is similar around the world.”
AS FAR as players moving on to the next level, both Panisesi Taimani and Ryleigh Swagerty have moved on to the NAIA College of Idaho in Caldwell to continue their playing careers.
Both Mariah Swanson and Bailey Schroeder will continue at Eastern Oregon, also of the NAIA Frontier Conference, in La Grande, Ore.
Kara Staggs isn’t playing basketball, but will continue her athletic career at Eastern Washington, where she’ll join the track and field program in the javelin.
“I know she had to train with them this summer and reach a certain distance,” said Carlson of Staggs. “Javelin has always been very important to her.”
Both Katie King (Boise State) and Caitlyn Behymer (Eastern Washington) will not continue their careers. Sabrina Earle might try to walk on at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, according to Carlson.
Carlson added that he’s eager to get this season started next week.
“It’s sneaking up for sure,” Carlson said. “Right now, we can do very little with the kids. All we can do is mostly weights and conditioning. There’s not a whole lot going on right now, but Oct. 1, it will be time to go.”
Jason Elliott is a sports writer for the Coeur d’Alene Press. He can be reached by telephone at 664-8176, Ext. 2020 or via email at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @JEPressSports.