NIC meshing plentiful freshmen with sophomores

The North Idaho College women’s basketball team extended its winning streak to eight games Dec. 7 after a 105-48 win over the North Idaho College All-Stars at Rolly Williams Court.

“It’s been a couple different things at different times,” NIC head coach Chris Carlson said about his team’s winning streak. One of those things he mentioned was the sophomores stepping up, especially Jansen Butler and Renae Mokrzycki.

The freshmen have also contributed. “I don’t know if I’ve had a group of freshmen at this level like this group has been,” Carlson said. He said they have chemistry, focus and respect for each other.

“We were together a lot and we’re all kind of in the same position, and we know that we’re all freshmen and we don’t have that much experience,” NIC’s Ryleigh Swagerty said. “So we kind of just rely on each other most of the time or push each other.”

NIC sophomore forward Renae Mokrzycki led the Cardinals with 23 points, while Swagerty scored 19 points.

Swagerty said the key to its winning streak has been its depth.

“I think it’s our depth because if one person isn’t hitting (a shot), another person is and we’re pretty strong all around. And the coaches have done a really good job of giving us insight of what to expect too.”

The All-Stars were comprised of former NIC players and a few other former college players from other schools.

Amy Warbrick and Jordan Schoening were two of the NIC All-Star players. Warbrick played on NIC’s 2011 national championship team before playing for Lakeland College in Alberta, and Schoening, from Post Falls, played at NIC and Eastern Washington University.