Bethel Women’s Basketball predicted 10th by coaches’ and media polls
Bethel Women’s Basketball predicted 10th by coaches’ and media polls
Head coach Derrick Pringle Jr. previews his team at the KCAC Media Day.
On Tuesday morning, the KCAC held its Women’s Basketball Media Day and released the preseason coaches’ and media polls. Bethel was voted 10th in both. During this live event, head coach Derrick Pringle Jr. also got to share some key players and thoughts for the upcoming season.
“We have four key returning starters back from our team last year,” Pringle said. “We had a lot of injuries so a lot of different players started for us.”
One of those key returners is senior Melinda Vargas, who averaged 18 minutes per game last year. “Mel Vargas is a senior and she [stepped up] late in the season last year at point guard when we lost Zayda [Perez],” Pringle said. “She’s doing well in the preseason right now, in great shape and handling the ball very well.”
Another key starter for the Threshers is another senior in Troi Lucas. She averaged 6.4 points and 25.3 minutes per game last season.
“Troi Lucas, who played point guard for us and on the wing, has been in the gym all summer with me and it’s awesome to see her grow as an overall player on defense and on offense,” Pringle said.
Junior Jaycee Freshour, who averaged 6.3 points and 20.5 minutes last year, and sophomore Josie Stupey, who averaged 4.8 points and 16.3 minutes last season, will be the other two key starters for Bethel.
“Jaycee Freshour had some moments last season when she was dominant and some when she wasn’t,” Pringle said. “I’m looking forward to seeing her be a bit more consistent on the court.”
“Our sophomore, Josie Stupey, who began the year not doing much, but then after January was probably one of our best players on the court,” Pringle added. “She’s a scrappy young lady who’s really good in transition.”
Pringle stated some of the injured players from last year will be back this season and ready to go. “All four of our injured players are healthy now,” Pringle said. “Bri Clark, who played for me at Simpson, sat out last year because of a knee injury but she’s probably better now than she was when I was at Simpson with her.
Carley Robb is another one, she’s a 5-foot-11 shooter, who’s very athletic and can defend. Parker Schroeder is another sophomore who also tore her ACL — a very athletic guard that can play spots one through three and is probably one of our better rebounders on the team. Jazmine Peete played four games before she shattered her knee cap and she came back this year better than I’ve ever seen her.”
The Threshers welcome a group of new faces for 2022, including four freshmen and one transfer.
“I’m excited about Caryn Yoder,” Pringle said. “She’s a guard from Hesston, she’s fast and as strong as an ox. She can shoot the ball and get to the rim. Alexis Mayner from Texas is another one. She’s a 6-foot-2 post-player, she has great hands, can block shots and rebound for us and hopefully make an immediate impact.
Another freshman is Kaitlyn McKenna. She’s a floor general for us — we tried to bring in more point guards this year.”
Bethel will be in action for its season opener on Nov. 2 when it hosts Northwestern College in Thresher Gymnasium. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m.