Lady Tiger basketball team ready to get back to work

Coming off a shortened 2020 season, the Cowley College women's basketball team is eager to compete during the 2021-2022 season. The Lady Tigers return four players to go along with 11 newcomers as they look to challenge in the Jayhawk Conference.

Cowley, which was picked to finish sixth out of 13 teams in the Jayhawk Conference, will open the season by hosting the Washburn University JV at 5:30 p.m. Monday, November 1.

The Lady Tigers will have to make up for the loss of sharp-shooter, Seanna Boltz, who set the school-record for three-pointers made in a career. Hoping to help make up for the loss of Boltz is returning sophomore Baylee Fincher. The guard from Ponca City, OK, is coming off a solid freshman campaign in which she averaged 10.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and tied for the team-lead with 2.2 steals per game.

"Someone will have to step up and help replace the scoring we lost from Seanna," Cowley head coach Todd Clark said. "Baylee had a good freshman year and will hopefully continue to improve."

Martyna (Marty) Kowalska, a 6'0 forward from Poland, is the team's leading returning scorer (12.0 points) and rebounder (7.2 rebounds). She shot 52.6 percent from the floor as a freshman and is expected to play an even larger role in the 2021-2022 season.

"Martyna has really improved and gotten stronger," Clark said. "I hope she has a break out campaign and is able to carry us a bit."

Also returning to the team are guards Shamara Henderson and Milena Fromming. Henderson averaged 4.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, and tied for the team-lead with 2.2 steals per game as a freshman.

"Shamahra has greatly improved her skills," Clark said.

While, Fromming started 12 games a season ago, averaging 3.9 points and was second on the team with 1.8 assists per game.

"We need Milena to be a leader and be more assertive on the floor," Clark said.

Cowley has added 11 freshman to the squad. International players are, Betina Bergallo, Lorette Chene, Isis Vieria, Jana Radovanovic, Nicolette Perez, and Xarlotte Fitas. Other players on the roster are, Onnahili Williams, Callie Scott, Lexi Rose, Carson Dean, and Claire Dodds.

"They are typical freshman. They have a lot to learn and it will be a while until we find out how good they can be," Clark said. "We will need shooters and ball handling to help Marty inside."

Competing against the other 12 NJCAA Division I teams in the Jayhawk Conference, Cowley will play 24 conference games and only five non-conference contests.

"We will definitely have to play well and be consistent," Clark said. "We have also got to be able to defend early in the season until our offense comes around. If we can do that, we hope to be competitive night in and night out."