The Bellevue College women’s basketball team opened their regular season the weekend of
November 18-20 at the 16th Annual Everett Women’s Classic. This year’s bracket put the Bulldogs first up against a perennial favorite, the Titans of Lane CC, always a tough team and this year was no exception. The game started poorly for Bellevue with Lane hitting their first four shots from behind the arc, and the Bulldogs found themselves down 12-0 in the first 90 seconds of play. The Bulldogs persisted and were able to overcome the early deficit to tie the game at half time 39-39. In the second half it was more of the same with the teams trading baskets. Both teams were up and down the court, but Bellevue was able to outlast Lane, and the Bulldogs came away with the 87-74 win. Bellevue sophomore Sanda Milovic led the team with 23 points and 10 rebounds.
Saturday, Nov. 19, and game two would prove equally difficult for the Bulldogs facing another perennial tournament team in Spokane. Bellevue Head Coach Brent Hermanson said of Spokane, “Coach (Bruce) Johnson always has his team well-prepared,” and that started out to be the case as the Bulldogs battled to build a slim lead at half time 28-25. In the second half, BC sophomore Briana Shannon turned on the jets and her teammates followed, pushing the ball up the floor and pressuring Spokane’s defense. Bellevue was able to pull away late and record their second win 62-49. Bellevue freshman DeMarea Caples was the star for the Bulldogs, playing 39:45 of the 40-minute contest and guarding the much larger post for Spokane. Bellevue’s Kelsey Sparks not only scored 17 for the Bulldogs, but was also able to limit the production of Spokane’s best scorer to a mere five points.
In the championship game on Sunday, the Bulldogs faced another Oregon opponent, Linn-Benton. The third game is always tough – legs are tired, and generally the team with the most depth will win in the end. Bellevue and Linn Benton traded baskets throughout the first half, but neither team could get settled as both were obviously tired and not playing their best basketball. With about five minutes to go in the first half, Bellevue was able to get the third foul on Linn-Benton’s post player and Tournament MVP, and that forced her to the bench. With five guards on the floor for their opponent, Bellevue began to build a lead and with five minutes left in the contest, found themselves up 18, 49-31. Credit to Linn Benton, from that point until the end of the game they outscored Bellevue 18-2, but the Bulldogs held on for the 51-49 win and the tournament championship. Coach Hermanson, credited freshmen Jordyn Ohrt, Brittany Barrington and Caples for playing well for the Bulldogs, as did sophomores Shannon, Sparks, Milovic, and Taylor Wofford. “We were also able to get really good minutes from Corinna VanHurston and Courtney Batts,” said Coach Hermanson. DeMarea Caples and Sanda Milovic were named to the All-Tournament team.
Next up, Bellevue hosts the Bulldog Women’s Classic December 2-4. Visiting teams include Big Bend, Blue Mountain, Everett, Green River, Highline, Mount Hood, and Umpqua. Bellevue will face the Green River Gators in the first round on Friday, Dec. 2, game time 8 p.m.
Last Updated November 1, 2013
