Denim Millward
Sports Editor
If ISU Women’s Head Coach Seton Sobolewski was concerned about replacing the offensive production of former Bengals Lindsey Reed and Jessica Tingey, Senior guard Rebecca Schrimpsher did her best to alleviate those fears Saturday, Nov. 1 in the Bengals’ exhibition match-up against Western New Mexico.
Schrimpsher led the Bengals in scoring with 20 points, shooting a blistering 6-7 from behind the three-point-line as the Bengals triumphed over Western New Mexico 75-58.
“She did a great job. She shot the ball extremely well,” Sobolewski told ISU Sports Information, referring to Schrimpsher’s performance. “I think that’s the evidence of all the work she’s been putting in during the off-season. She is definitely a deadly shooter.”
Sophomore guard Grace Kenyon added 16 points for the Bengals.
Kenyon, who didn’t register any minutes last season according to the ISU Sports Information website, will be heavily relied upon to both replace the production of the aforementioned graduated players and to create mismatches on both the offensive and defensive ends of the court. Despite having the 6’0” stature of a post player, the Bainbridge Island, Washington native plays guard for the Bengals.
“I thought she did a nice job of going at the basket,” Sobolewski said to ISU Sports Information. “She’s long and tough to play against. She finishes well of the backboard and different angles.”
In addition to the offensive production of Kenyon and Schrimpsher, the Bengals displayed their defensive prowess, particularly in the second half when the Bengals held Western New Mexico to just 26.9 percent shooting from the field.
Though the contest does not count as an official game, it proved to be a useful litmus test for Idaho State, illuminating strengths Sobolewski admits he may have underestimated, Grace Kenyon in particular.
“She’s going to be a really good player,” Sobolewski said to ISU Sports Information. “She’s a pleasant surprise for us. I’ll definitely admit I didn’t think Grace was going to be as good she is now and I think she’s only going to get better.”
With the pleasant surprise of Kenyon in addition to returning contributors Schrimpsher, senior guard Jasmine Lemon, junior forward Anna Lee Policicchio and others, the Bengals are poised to exceed their predicted finishing positions of eighth and ninth, as was predicted in the preseason coaches’ and media polls, respectively.
The Bengals are still 11 days away from officially opening up their regular season, when they will travel to Pullman, Washington to face off against the Washington Cougars Nov. 16.
The contest is the first in a two-game road trip through the Evergreen State for Idaho State, as it will play the Gonzaga Bulldogs in Spokane Nov. 18.
The Bengals will then have a single home game against Northwest Nazarene University Nov. 24 before heading to San Juan, Puerto Rico for the San Juan Shootout Nov. 27 and 28.
