After dominating its nonconference opponents for the second straight year, Westmont College opened its 20-game GSAC women’s basketball slate in Irvine on Thursday with a 64-60 loss to No. 9 Concordia.
The Warriors (7-0) moved into the NAIA national rankings at No. 16 this week. The GSAC, led by defending national champion Vanguard, is the toughest conference in the country with three teams ranked in the top eight and six in the top 25.
“It’s going to be an incredibly difficult conference season and it’s exciting to get recognized (nationally),” said fourth-year Warrior coach Kirsten Moore. “I’m not sure if we’ve ever been ranked higher than 16th.”
The Warriors, who’ve won 15 straight nonconference games, are outscoring their opponents 71-50, outshooting them 42 to 33 percent and winning the rebound battle by 10 per game.
They’ll play their first GSAC home game on Saturday, Dec. 6, against Hope International. They have one nonconference game remaining against William Jewell (Mo.) in Irvine on Dec. 30.
On Nov. 15, they posted a 57-48 upset of No. 8 Carroll, Mont., on the road. Carroll downed the Warriors in the opening round of last year’s NAIA Tournament.
“We’ve been playing well — really well at times and pretty average at times,” said Moore. “We’ve been trying to get a rhythm through the fire and everything. We haven’t played as well as we’re capable of but I’m really proud of how the girls have continued to push through that and done what they’ve needed to get wins.”
Two Warriors lived in a dorm that burned in the Tea Fire and they lost everything.
“It’s been rough, particularly with a small team,” noted Moore. “We only have 13 players and two were directly impacted by the fire.”
Westmont boasts a veteran lineup with eight returners, including four starters from last year’s 21-9 squad that reached the NAIA Nationals in Tennessee for the second straight year. The Warriors also set a school record for best winning percentage (.700).
Amber Stevens, a junior point guard from Dos Pueblos High, tops the list of returning starters. She’s averaging 9.0 points and leads the squad in FG percentage (.543), rebounds (6.9), assists (4.7) and steals (2.6). She was first-team All-GSAC last year and an honorable mention NAIA All-American.
The other returning starters are Alisha Heglund, Jessica Case and Annie Johnson. Heglund, the tallest player at 6-1, leads the squad with a 12.9 scoring average and 4.6 rebounds. Case, a 5-9 junior guard, is second in scoring at 10.3. Angel Blanco, a 5-11 sophomore who averages 8.1 points and 5.3 boards, is the fifth starter.
“Defense has been our strength,” said Moore, whose team has won by margins of 45 and 38 while holding five opponents under 55 points. “One of the nice things offensively is we’ve been very balanced. We’ve had different people step up each game.”
Stevens is a captain this year, along with Johnson and senior guard Lindsey Chessum.
“Amber is our leader on the floor and she does everything,” said Moore. “She our leader in rebounding, assists, steals, plus she can score and plays great defense. She has great poise and composure on the floor. She’s really stepped up, not just on the floor but with all that’s happened. She’s been great.”
Freshman guard Katie Kittle, the second-leading scorer in California last year for Colusa High (70 miles northwest of Sacramento), is averaging 8.4 points and leads the team in 3-pointers (11-27, .407 pct).
Sophomore guard Ali Lomax (4.4 pts, 4.0 reb.), a transfer from Kentucky, is the daughter of Neil Lomax, a two-time NFL Pro Bowl quarterback for the St. Louis Cardinals. Freshman Emily Tewksbury’s father, Tim, played at Westmont from 1980-83 and is the career leader in blocked shots.
“Our goal is to win the GSAC,” said Moore. “It’s a lofty goal but a goal that our team’s commited to striving for.”
Moore, an Associate Director of Athletics, was in charge of renovations for Murchison Gym, which include a new floor, new bleachers, a new sound system and a new logo.
“It feels great to be playing in a newly renovated gym,” said Moore. “The floor is outstanding as far as performance and wear and tear on our bodies. There is a great excitement about having a new home.”
The court has been renamed “Kammerer Court” in honor of Westmont’s all-time winningest coach, Chet Kammerer, and will be dedicated on Dec. 13.
