The Butler Grizzlies women's basketball team will come into the season with high expectations, ranked 17th in the nation in the NJCAA preseason poll and coming off a year that saw the team win the KJCCC East for the third straight season. The Grizzlies had four players named to the all conference team and two players, Tamara Nard and Sklya Knight, who were named to the NJCAA All-American team last season. Head coach Mike Helmer, in his 14th year at the helm of the women's team, will have to replace that talent this year if his team is to make another deep run in March.
The Grizzlies will get two new freshmen this season, in the form of Jada Knight and Jaila Harding. The Grizzlies also have players returning to El Dorado for their sophomore year like Kaylee Nero, Cymirah Williams and MeKayla Furman who will hope to see their minutes increased, as well as Cameren Downs who started in 23 games and led the team in assists last season. The Grizzlies will also be helped by transfers Emily Mandamin and Ashlei Kirven.
"With Skyla, we've got to replace her energy, her energy was off the charts. Somebody needs to step up and really figure that role out," Helmer said of his team's depth. "I've been impressed with the two freshmen. They seem to be picking things up really quick and we've got a number of transfers that I've been pretty excited about."
The Grizzlies will hope to continue their dominance of the Jayhawk Conference, even as the league's format changes. There will be no divisions in the conference this season, and the Grizzlies will have to adjust.
"We're going to what we call the superconference, it's a lot more travel. Our girls are going to have to be mentally tough."
There are three teams in the KJCCC who are ranked in the top 25 and the Grizzlies will have to be strong if they hope to win a fourth straight league title.
"The league is probably as deep this year as I've ever seen it," Helmer said. "Whoever wins the league this year is going to have to earn it."
In a shortened season last year, the Grizzlies went 20-4 and 18-2 in conference play. They also dropped just one game at home all season, and the Grizzlies will look to defend home court again this season with a full schedule and a full capacity crowd at the Power Plant.
"I think what I'm most excited about is to have normal game days at home. Just getting back on the floor, just trying to get life back to what it used to be, that's probably what I'm looking forward to the most."
That 20-4 record was enough for Butler to get an at large bid in the national tournament, but the season ended in the opening round of the tournament to Otero College. Helmer is hoping for a deeper postseason run this year.
"I want a little more toughness and I want a little more energy this season. That's what I'm hoping from this team is to just bring energy every second. If we do that, I think we'll be tough to beat."
The Grizzlies defense will be the key to the team's success again this year, as last year Butler held their opponents under 60 points per game on the year, and opponents shot just 22% from three point range on the season.
"That's been our staple," Helmer said of his team's strengths. "We've been in the top 20 in defensie stats over the last 10 years and the other thing to me is depth. I personally think this is the deepest team I've ever had. I feel confident with all 12 of my players."
The Grizzlies will open the season at home on November 3rd as they host Bethany College JV at 5:30pm in the Power Plant in El Dorado, KS. To purchase tickets click HERE.
