Women embracing high expectations

Team picked second in the SAC

Photo courtesy of JBU Sports Information John Brown junior forward and Siloam Springs native Baily Cameron is coming off a strong sophomore season in which she led the Golden Eagles in scoring at 17.5 points and rebounding at 7.0 boards per game. She was named to the Sooner Athletic Conference First Team and NAIA All-American Third Team.
Photo courtesy of JBU Sports Information John Brown junior forward and Siloam Springs native Baily Cameron is coming off a strong sophomore season in which she led the Golden Eagles in scoring at 17.5 points and rebounding at 7.0 boards per game. She was named to the Sooner Athletic Conference First Team and NAIA All-American Third Team.

The John Brown women's basketball team has been trending upward the last two seasons, and the Golden Eagles hope to continue in that direction in 2017-18.

Fresh off a 23-win season and a national tournament appearance, the Golden Eagles are among the favorites to finish in the top of the Sooner Athletic Conference this season.

John Brown University women’s basketball

2017-18 schedule

Date Opponent Time

Nov. 4 Ecclesia# 6 p.m.

Nov. 7 at Benedictine (Kan.) 5:30 p.m.

Nov. 11 at Evangel (Mo.) 6 p.m.

Nov. 14 Crowley’s Ridge 6 p.m.

Nov. 17 vs. Evangel (Mo.)% 6 p.m.

Nov. 18 vs. Mid-America Nazarene (Kan.)% 5 p.m.

Nov. 27 College of the Ozarks (Mo.) 6 p.m.

Nov. 30 St. Gregory’s (Okla.)* 6 p.m.

Dec. 2 at Southwestern Christian (Okla.)* 3 p.m.

Dec. 5 at Central Christian (Kan.)* 6 p.m.

Dec. 9 Oklahoma City* 3 p.m.

Jan. 1 Central Christian of the Bible (Mo.) 1 p.m.

Jan. 4 Wayland Baptist (Texas)* 6 p.m.

Jan. 6 Oklahoma Panhandle State* 1 p.m.

Jan. 11 at Texas Wesleyan* 6 p.m.

Jan. 13 at Southwestern Assemblies of God (Texas)* 1 p.m.

Jan. 16 Bacone (Okla.)* 6 p.m.

Jan. 18 at Science and Arts (Okla.)* 6 p.m.

Jan. 20 Mid-America Christian (Okla.)* 3 p.m.

Jan. 25 Central Christian (Kan)* 6 p.m.

Jan. 27 at Oklahoma City* 3 p.m.

Feb. 1 Southwestern Christian (Okla.)* 6 p.m.

Feb. 3 at St. Gregory’s (Okla.)* 3 p.m.

Feb. 8 at Mid-America Christian (Okla.)* 6 p.m.

Feb. 10 Science and Arts (Okla.)* 3 p.m.

Feb. 13 at Bacone (Okla.)* 6 p.m.

Feb. 15 Southwestern Assemblies of God (Texas)* 6 p.m.

Feb. 17 Texas Wesleyan* 1 p.m.

Feb. 22 at Oklahoma Panhandle State* 6 p.m.

Feb. 24 at Wayland Baptist (Texas)* 1 p.m.

* Sooner Athletic Conference game

% John Brown University Classic

There's good reason why, too. The Golden Eagles only lost one player from last year's team -- although that one player was All-Conference point guard Kodee Powell, who averaged 11 points, four assists and shot 44 percent from behind the 3-point line.

"We've got a great core of people returning, only losing Kodee Powell," said JBU head coach Jeff Soderquist, who is entering his 21st year at the helm of the program. "We're bringing in two new players that I think will both help us right away."

John Brown was picked to finish second in the Sooner Athletic Conference by the league coaches after going 14-4 last season, tying with Wayland Baptist and finishing behind national champion Oklahoma City.

The Golden Eagles received three first place votes to finish first in this year's preseason poll. Soderquist said the Golden Eagles need to embrace those preseason expectations.

Also, JBU was ranked preseason No. 12 in the NAIA.

"I think we need to have that type of frame of mind," he said. "I don't think we need to focus on that. My philosophy is still game by game, but we need to have those expectations."

The Golden Eagles open the season at 6 p.m. Saturday against Ecclesia at Bill George Arena.

Figuring out a way to replace Powell at point guard will be a big key for the Golden Eagles. But JBU does have a plan in place.

JBU returns sophomore guard Sara Williams (5-foot-7), who handled the point at times last year. Williams, who played in 31 games and averaged 1.8 points and 1.1 assists, had a great summer and has improved her 3-point shot, according to Soderquist.

"It's time for her to step up," he said.

True freshman Taylor Fergen (5-5) of Republic, Mo., helped lead her high school team to three district titles and back-to-back conference championships. Fergen also led her team in scoring and was named offensive MVP as a senior. Fergen is expected to share the point guard duties with Williams.

"Between both of them, they'll get a lot of minutes," Soderquist said.

John Brown has plenty of experience returning at the off guard positions, and they also welcome a newcomer that is going to make an impact right away, Soderquist said.

Seniors Jana Schammel (5-7) and Kimmy Deines (5-9) both have played large roles for the Golden Eagles the last two years.

Schammel started in 16 of JBU's 32 games and averaged 9.1 points per game and shot 43.1 percent from behind the 3-point line.

Deines started in 29 games and averaged 6.6 points and 4.1 rebounds and led the Golden Eagles in free-throw percentage at 83 percent.

"Kimmy and Jana both returning for their senior year and they need to play like seniors," Soderquist said. "They're embracing this is their last year and they're doing a good job with that."

Redshirt sophomore Jordan Martin (5-9) was the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette's Player of the Year after her senior year at Bentonville, but she sat out her first year at John Brown due to an injury.

As a redshirt freshman last year, Martin started in 17 games and averaged 6.9 points per game and shot 34.5 percent from behind the 3-point line.

Soderquist can see an expanded role for Martin in this year's offense with a season under her belt.

"She's got to get more confident, cut loose and play a little bit," he said.

Soderquist said Division I transfer Karina Chandra (5-10), who came to JBU from Eastern Illinois, is also a big addition at a guard spot.

He said Chandra, who the Golden Eagles tried to recruit out of her high school in Brisbane, Australia, might be the Golden Eagles' top 3-point shooter.

"I think she's a perfect fit," Soderquist said. "She's really bought in our school and program. She's a bigger guard. I think we can post her up some. She's a great 3-point shooter, but she can also score around the basket."

Also at guard, senior Courtney Fine (5-7) has played a lot over the last three years for JBU, but she's been limited so far in the preseason because of an injury.

Junior guard Lauren Pelegreen also could see some action at guard.

The post is also a strength for the Golden Eagles, led by junior All-American Baily Cameron (5-10) of Siloam Springs.

After earning the Sooner Athletic Conference's Freshman of the Year honor in 2015-16, Cameron followed that up with an even stronger season as a sophomore.

She led the Golden Eagles with 17.5 points and 7.0 rebounds per game and had five double-doubles.

"Baily is coming back and she had a great sophomore year," Soderquist said. "Each year she has had a good year, and more and more people are going to be out to stop her."

Cameron was named to the 2016-17 SAC First Team and was NAIA All-American Third Team.

"I think the biggest challenge for Baily is to get in better shape and get stronger," Soderquist said. "Basketball-wise she's got all the skills."

Junior Preslea Reece (6-1) is the Golden Eagles' tallest player and at times last season showed flashes of how good she can be.

Reece averaged 7.8 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. Soderquist expects Reece to build on that this year.

"Preslea Reece had a breakout year as a sophomore," he said. "She's got a chance to be a good player. She's a tremendous athlete for her position."

Seniors Luize Skrastina (6-0) and Rosa Orpo (5-10) were new to the program last year as transfers and came on strong as the year went on.

Skrastina a native of Latvia, averaged 6.2 points and 3.6 rebounds. Orpo, who is from Finland, averaged 5.5 points and 2.4 rebounds while shooting 52.6 percent from the floor. Both will have big roles to play this year as well.

"They're a lot more comfortable in what we're doing," Soderquist said. "I think both of them are going ot help us a lot."

Sophomore Ally Teague (5-11) and K.J. Roh (6-0) could also see some playing time and have improved tremendously, Soderquist said.

"They do an outstanding job," he said. "They come to practice every day and work hard."

The Sooner Athletic Conference will be tougher from top to bottom, Soderquist said.

Oklahoma City, despite losing 2017 NAIA National Player of the Year Daniela Wallen, was picked to win the league again, followed by John Brown, Wayland Baptist (Texas), Mid-America Christian (Okla.), Science and Arts (Okla.), Texas Wesleyan, Southwestern Christian (Okla.), Southwestern Assemblies of God (Texas), Oklahoma Panhandle State, Bacone (Okla.), St. Gregory's (Okla.) and Central Christian (Kan.).

"Teams have improved and they'll push us," Soderquist said. "I don't think it's a three-team league anymore."

Sports on 11/01/2017