RCTC WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Head coach: Steve Hucke (14th year, 230-129).
Assistant coaches:Chris Stenzel, Doug Waldner.
Last year:RCTC is coming off a strong season. The Yellowjackets were ranked ninth in the nation in Division III and finished with a 21-8 record. They won the Southern Division championship in the MCAC and just missed a national berth by placing second in the Region 13A Tournament.
Season outlook:The Yellowjackets lost their top scorers from a year ago and are young with just three players returning. But coach Steve Hucke believes the team will have better overall depth and could compete for a division and region title.
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"We will have more of a complete game with good inside and outside scoring," Hucke said. Last year the Yellowjackets relied heavily on their inside game.
The three returning players include point guard Jessica Foster, 6-footer Kayla Crockett, a Mayo grad, and Brittany Ellis. Foster, a point guard, led the team in assists (5.1) and steals (3.5) last season while averaging 7.6 points and 4.6 rebounds. Ellis added 5.8 points a game.
RCTC will have four transfers coming in this year including Austin's Jenna Svoboda and Lakin Koski and Reed Klunder, both of Byron.
Strengths:Depth in all positions, quicker on outside, good outside shooting.
Weaknesses:Young and inexperienced.
Coach's quote:"We lost two very good scorers and experienced group last year," Hucke said, "but we have added depth and speed to make up for the players who left. We will be fun to watch."
Returning players:Jessica Foster (5-5, PG, Hayfield); Kayla Crockett (6-0, F/C, Rochester Mayo); Brittany Ellis (5-11, G/F, Lansing, Iowa).
Newcomers:Lakin Koski (6-2, C, Byron, transfer from Southwest Minnesota State), Reed Klunder (5-7, G, Byron, transfer from NIACC, did not play); Jenna Svoboda (5-10, F, Austin, transfer from University of Nebraska, did not play); Justine Gonzalez (5-8, G, Sleepy Eye); Johanna Bungum (5-8, G/F, Hayfield ); Nathalie Ratliff (5-10, G, Providence Academy, transfer from Colorado Christian College, did not play).
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SCHEDULE
Nov. 13— vs. Dordt JV at Minnesota West Classic, TBA
Nov. 14— vs. Northwestern JV at Minnesota West Classic, TBA
Nov. 18— at North Iowa Area, 5:30 p.m.
Nov. 24— Madison College, 6 p.m.
Nov. 30— St. Thomas, 5 p.m.
Dec. 4— Vermilion, 6 p.m.
Dec. 5— Mesabi Range, 1 p.m.
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Dec. 8— Luther JV, 5 p.m.
Dec. 11— at Central Lakes, 6 p.m.
Dec. 12— at Fond du Lac, 1 p.m.
Dec. 18— vs. Vermilion at Anoka-Ramsey Classic, 2 p.m.
Dec. 19— vs. Bismarck State at Anoka-Ramsey Classic, 11 a.m.
Jan. 2— vs. N.D. State College of Science at Anoka-Ramsey Classic, 1 p.m.
Jan. 3— vs. Hibbing at Anoka-Ramsey Classic, 11 a.m.
Jan. 6— at Ridgewater, 6 p.m.
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Jan. 9— Alumni match, 1 p.m.
Jan. 13— at Fergus Falls, 6 p.m.
Jan. 16— at Anoka-Ramsey, 1 p.m.
Jan. 20— Minnesota West, 6 p.m.
Jan. 23— St. Cloud Tech, 1 p.m.
Jan. 27— at Western Tech, 6 p.m.
Jan. 30— Ridgewater, 1 p.m.
Feb. 6— Fergus Falls, 1 p.m.
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Feb. 10— Anoka-Ramsey, 6 p.m.
Feb. 13— at Minnesota West, 1 p.m.
Feb. 17— at St. Cloud Tech, 6 p.m.
Feb. 20— Western Tech, 1 p.m.
Feb. 26-28— Region 13 Tournament, TBA
March 10-12 — NJCAA National Tournament at Bethlehem, Pa., TBA
— Guy N. Limbeck
