Women's basketball prepares for second half of season

Women's basketball prepares for second half of season

The Ellsworth Community College women's basketball team has started the 2016-17 season off strong. The Panthers went into holiday break with an 8-6 record and look to continue improving that record for the second half of the season.

The Panthers have four players averaging double figures in scoring this season, also making them individual regional stat leaders. Antoinette Williams (4th) is averaging 14.7 points, Jahne Williams (9th) is averaging 13; Rebekah Hart (15th) is averaging 11.1, and Jade Brown (17th) is averaging 10.9. In addition to these four on the regional leader board for scoring, the Panthers have three players in the top 10 for rebounding: Hart (1st) with 9.7, J. Williams (5th) with 7.5, and Brown (8th) with 6.9.

Brown is also 1st in steals with 3.7 per game, and A. Williams is 2nd with 2.9 per game. Natalia Turner is 2nd in three point percentage at 45%, J. Brown is 2nd in assists with 4.8 per game, and A. Williams is 6th in assists with 3.6 per game. Hart is also in the top 10 for field goal percentage at 6th with 51.3%.

Both Hart and A. Williams have received Iowa Community College Athletic Conference (ICCAC) player of the week honors so far this season.

The Panthers' success has been both on and off the court.  The team has a GPA of 3.25, with six players receiving Academic All-Region first semester awards. Abuk Deng, Hart, and Sophie Helldorff received 1st team honors and Sharena Tramble, A. Williams, and J. Williams received 2nd team honors.

"I am looking forward to seeing our team grow this semester and become even better," commented ECC Head Basketball Coach Ed Geitz. "We still have some goals to achieve, but we will get them. I am excited about what 2017 will bring."

The Panthers will open the second half of their season with a home game against Marshalltown Community College on Wednesday, Jan. 11, at 5:30 pm.