Niwot girls basketball prepping for shortened season

Before the pandemic wreaked havoc on the Niwot sports calendar last spring, the most unprecedented thing about 2020 was the abysmal 2-21 record of the girls basketball team, the worst of longtime coach Terri Ward's career. But in 2021, the Cougars are returning several key players with experience, and Ward is looking for a return to normalcy-at least on the court.

"The good piece is we don't have like only one returning starter or one returning player and (normally) we would have nine to 10 brand new people," Ward said. "We do have a good base so that part of it is good. They know what they're supposed to do. They know how we practice."

That said, COVID-19 will have a significant impact on the 2021 season, with just 14 games on the schedule and players being required to wear a mask at all times. Ward said an infraction of the mask rule could result in the cancellation of their season.

As for game play, Ward said that she expects Niwot to excel in scoring points in the post. Junior Sophie Gebhardt, sophomore Addy Ruth and senior MacKenzie Demmel all provide talent in the paint. Demmel, who took last season off to focus on volleyball, will be a big addition for the Cougars 2021, and not just height-wise.

"We're just so excited to have Mac (Demmel) back with us," Ward said. "That's very, very exciting."

At the guard positions, senior Grace Wardle and juniors Carly Toothaker and Rachel Noble will control things up top. Noble tallied 4.3 points per game last year, top among returning players.

Ella Fallon, who was Ward's assistant coach the past two seasons, will now be leading the Cougars' junior varsity team.

"It'll be good for her," Ward said. "It'll be bad for me. I'm not going to lie because I like her input on the bench. I like the way she interacts with our kids."

Ward will be coaching solo when the Cougars take on Roosevelt at home on Jan. 26 at 5 p.m.

Although Ward may have a slew of seasoned players, Niwot will be given just over one week of practice before its season opener on Jan. 26. Ward hasn't seen her team since October but said she takes comfort knowing most teams in the 4A Longs Peak League are in a similar position.

"My whole thought process with these guys for the next seven weeks is we have an opportunity in front of us to play, to participate," Ward said. "Let's do whatever we can to take advantage of that opportunity. That's it, and then we'll see what happens."