FAIRBANKS, Alaska – The Alaska Nanooks women's basketball team is slated to open their 2015-16 non-conference campaign Friday and Saturday in the inaugural Great Northwest Athletic Conference/PacWest Challenge. Alaska will take on Stanislaus State and Dixie State at the Alaska Airlines Court.
This weekend will mark the start of head coach Cody Bench's sixth season. Alaska will look to build off of last year's record of 14-14, Bench's single season-best at the helm. The Nanooks return the foundation of last year's team, returning eight players. The Nanooks will be welcoming in four newcomers this season, as Bench will have a healthy mix of fresh faces and returnees.
| Date & Time | Nov. 13th, 2015 5:15pm | Nov. 14th, 2015 3:00pm |
| Opponent | Friday: Stanislaus State | Saturday: Dixie State |
| Location | Alaska Airlines Court at the Patty Center | Fairbanks, Alaska |
| Live Stats & Streaming | For all games: Click Here |
| Social Media | Twitter | Facebook |
Last Time Out
The Nanooks hosted their only exhibition game of the season last Saturday, defeating the Alaska Nanooks women's basketball alumni team, 62-47, at the Alaska Airlines Court. Junior Kaillee Skjold was the leader for the Nanooks, putting up 16 points and going 6-of-7 to help Alaska shoot48.9% for the game. Senior Arinesha Smith and junior Autumn Childers handed out a game-best four assists each. Alaska, as a whole, was hot behind the arc in the first and second periods, going 7-of-14 for 3-pointers.
"Overall, I think our kids got some good tips and steals. We have nine upperclassmen, eight of which have starting experience and played significant minutes for us during the alumni game," Bench explained. "Overall, it was great to see our kids come back and play well."
GNAC Preseason Coaches Poll
The GNAC Preseason Women's Basketball Coaches Poll was released Oct. 16th, placing the Nanooks in ninth place overall. The GNAC Preseason Coaches Poll was voted on by all women's basketball head coaches within the GNAC, with Alaska receiving 40 votes. The Nanooks concluded their 2014-15 season in seventh place overall in the GNAC, going 6-12 in conference play.
Wilson Makes Preseason All-GNAC Team
Junior Jordan Wilson was named to the 2015-16 Preseason All-GNAC Team last month, being the only selection from the Alaska Nanooks. Wilson, the 2013-14 GNAC Freshman of the Year, missed eight games last season due to injury but proved to be vital for Alaska, as they went 13-7 in games she played in and 1-7 in games she did not. The Henderson, Colorado native lead the Nanooks in scoring, averaging 15.6 points per game and was ranked third amongst Nanooks in rebounds, grabbing 5.6 per game on average. Wilson recorded 20 or more points on five separate occasions last year and recorded one double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds versus Chaminade Nov. 14th, 2014.
Home, Sweet Home
The Nanooks have a total of 15 home games this season, five non-conference games and 10 GNAC games being played on the Alaska Airlines Court. Alaska first plays in the GNAC/PacWest Challenge this weekend (Nov. 13-14), then hosts the annual Mt. McKinley State Bank North Star Invitational the weekend ofNov. 26-28th. The Nanooks will then travel to Anchorage to participate in their third tournament of the season Dec. 19-20th for the Seawolf Hoops Classic.
Returning Leaders
The Nanooks return four of their top five scoring leaders this season, including five players who started in 13 or more games. Junior Jordan Wilson averaged 15.6 points per game and recorded double figures in all but two games she played in. Junior Kaillee Skjold hold the team-best in rebounds, grabbing 6.6 per game on average and finished last season averaging 9.5 points per game, including two double-doubles.
New Faces in the Blue & Gold
Coach Bench will look to incorporate her four newcomers amongst a group of veterans this weekend. Alaska welcomes transfers juniors Gabriela Jimenez, McClain Williams, Jaylee Mays and freshman Marian Wamsley.
"I'm eager to see where our newcomers can contribute and fill in in certain roles. For example, Jaylee Mays played well on Saturday, while Marian Wamsley impressed me playing post as a freshman. I'm excited to see how they adjust in these upcoming games," said Bench.
Scouting the Opposition – Stanislaus State
The Stanislaus State Warriors are coming off of 93-50 exhibition loss versus Division I University of San Francisco. The Warriors only trailed the Dons 38-29 at the half, but USF pulled away in the second half to take the 43-point victory. Junior Riley Holladay led the Warriors in scoring with 10 points and collected five rebounds. Juniors Ana Burch scored eight points and Cassidy Sanders-Curry chipped in seven points.
"Stanislaus is coming in this weekend with a veteran squad," Bench explained. "I think we'll have a great matchup, we're very similar in ways such as, both teams are veteran teams, both are quick and athletic, they run the floor like us, like a scrappy trap but in the end, every team is different so we will have to play the way that's best for us."
Scouting the Opposition – Dixie State
The Dixie State Red Storm fell 109-76 in their recent exhibition on the road against NCAA Division I Utah State. The Red Storm only trailed the Aggies by seven points (18-11) after the first quarter but the Aggies eventually pulled ahead, 60-19, by the halftime break. The Red Storm was led by senior Taylor Mann who finished the game with 18 points and five rebounds. Senior Chermayne Moore added 11 points and four rebounds to the Storm's final push.
"Dixie State has a mix of veteran and newcomer kids this season. We went to their home court last year so I'm sure they will come back and give us a good push on our home court. They have a talented inside-out, using their back to the basket and inside players to their advantage, as well as quick, athletic guards," Bench described.
Coaches Corner
"Going into this weekend, we are looking at two very different teams ahead of us, which is exciting because afterward, we can make an assessment of the type of team we want to be. I hope we come out with a lot of energy that will translate into hard work. One thing we've really stressed thus far is to become better defensively. We want to do the little things correctly, from setting screens to contesting shots and boxing out, I think if we are consistent in those little habits, it will give us our best chance to become successful." – Coach Bench on this weekend's opponents.
For more information on the Alaska Nanooks women's basketball team, like the Alaska Nanooks on Facebook or follow @alaskananooks on Twitter.
