Bethel Women's basketball picked 5th in preseason polls
Returning veterans and key newcomers aim to build on last year’s 16–13 record as the Threshers open the season against William Penn University.
Wednesday morning kicked off media day for women’s basketball, as the team looks to keep rolling after a great season last year. The coaches’ poll picked Bethel fifth in the preseason poll. Courtside will look a little different this year, with first-year head Coach Jara Shoemaker leading the team with former head coach Rocky Lamar as an assistant coach this season.
Shoemaker played for Barton Community College for two seasons before transferring to Division Two, Fort Hays State University, to complete her final two years. She spent 10 years working in health care before transitioning to coaching as an assistant at Life Prep Academy in Wichita.
The Threshers are looking to keep momentum after finishing in fourth place last year, ultimately falling to Friends University in the first round of the playoffs. Bethel ended the season with an overall record of 16-13 while going 15-7 in conference play.
“Caryn Yoder, who is a senior, was big for us last year; she is shooting the ball really well for us this year. I think she is going to be even bigger for us. She was a big on-ball defender, which is something that will continue,” said coach Shoemaker
This team is entering the season with added experience, featuring four seniors and six juniors. Some key returners include senior point guard Caryn Yoder from Hesston, junior Kendall Locke from Azle, Texas., and junior Madyson McKinzie from Dumas, Ark.
When discussing the newcomers, Coach Shoemaker highlighted freshman Emersyn Eischen and Grace William, as well as Tawny Rodriguez, a junior transfer from Eastern Wyoming College.
“We have to keep running, and it’s going to be hard to stop us in transition. That’s our biggest thing. We have to keep locking in on defense and press a little, and hopefully that does it for us,” said Shoemaker
The Threshers will aim to avoid a rough start to the season. Bethel’s first game of the season will be Oct. 31st in Salina, as they take on William Penn University. Last season, William Penn ended with an overall record of 4-24. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m.