The Southwestern Spartans Women's Basketball team faced formidable competition over the weekend at the Johnson County Classic in Overland Park, Kansas. Taking on Highland Community College and nationally ranked Johnson County Community College (JCCC), the Spartans fought hard but ultimately came up short in both matchups.
In their first game against Highland Community College, the Spartans contended with a well-prepared team fresh off a win against 12th-ranked North Central Missouri College. Southwestern kept the game close through most of the first half, even cutting the deficit to within two points at one stage. Despite a strong effort, the Spartans couldn't keep pace, falling 85-57. Sophomore forward Brooklyn Hadl led all Spartans with an impressive 27 points, adding 9 rebounds and showing her consistent offensive abilities. Gabby Dwanyen contributed a solid performance with 11 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 assists, while Sharmaine Tapling chipped in with 9 points and 2 assists. The Spartans displayed accurate long-range shooting, connecting on 41.7% of their three-point attempts (5 of 12) and maintained a steady 72% from the free-throw line.
In their second game, Southwestern faced off against JCCC, the No. 2-ranked team nationally. The Cavaliers proved why they hold this high ranking, opening with a 23-6 first-quarter lead and maintaining their momentum throughout the game. The Spartans fell to JCCC by a final score of 83-38. Hadl continued to lead Southwestern's efforts with 15 points and 9 rebounds, while Dwanyen added 13 points and 8 rebounds. JCCC's precise shooting was on full display as they connected on 16 three-pointers, shooting 39% from beyond the arc.
Reflecting on the weekend, Head Coach Kori Zarzutzki acknowledged the lessons to be taken from playing top-level competition. "We had our opportunities and kept the Highland game close, but ultimately fell short. Playing a team like JCCC presents challenges, yet it's essential for our growth. I'm proud of how our team handled the physicality, and we'll take these experiences into our conference play to improve."
The Spartans will look to build on these experiences and return to the court next week with a focus on growth and determination as they approach the upcoming conference schedule.