Your future, our focus
BY SETH ROMSA TRIBUNE SPORTS WRITER
Courtesy of the Powell Tribune
powelltribune.photoshelter.com
Trapper basketball is set to begin their preseason swing as they play five games this weekend in Windsor, Colorado, as part of a jamboree.
The Trappers will informally kick off the 2021-22 campaign on Friday against Snow College at 9 a.m. and will play two more games later in the day — against Labette Community College at 11 a.m. and Sunrise Christian Academy at 1 p.m.
NWC will follow that up with games against Williston State College on Saturday at 10 a.m. and Cloud County Community College at noon.
The scrimmages will feature two 20-minute halves with a running clock.
Coach Jay Collins is entering into his third year leading the Trappers and said the team is bringing in size they’ve lacked in recent years. They’ll also look to push the pace this year, he said.
“Our team chemistry is great and we are excited to see where we are at and chomp at the bit a little bit,” Collins said.
Pushing the pace is a style Collins has been emphasizing, as he said the Trappers could run a bench that’s 10- or 11-men deep in order to continue to push the pace.
The team only brings back five returners from last year, so getting game experience under his players’ belts is important for Collins this first preseason weekend.
“I would like to see them prove they can get it done against high level competition, not just each other,” Collins said.
The coach said the Trappers are attempting to plan a set of scrimmages for Oct. 16. Though the teams have not been set, the time is tentatively set for 8 a.m. until 1 p.m.
Collins said he’s unsure if the scrimmages will be open or closed door, but he’s hoping the games will be open for the public to attend.
The coach is also hoping to set up one more scrimmage before the end of October, meeting the University of Montana — Northern halfway for a full preseason game.
The Trappers open the regular season at home on Nov. 6 at 5 p.m. against the Rocky Mountain College JV, and will be on the road until an alumni game in early December.