After a prolific 2018-19 season, the Kentucky Wesleyan College women’s basketball team is set to kick off this year’s campaign this weekend with a tournament in Nashville.
The Panthers, who are reigning regular season Great Midwest champions, return 63 percent of their offense from last season. Keelie Lamb (12.6 points per game) returns as the leading scorer after a standout season that ended with an All-G-MAC First-Team selection.
Wesleyan was the highest-scoring team in the Great Midwest last year, averaging 73.4 points per game. They also had the top defense, holding opponents to 64.4 points and nearly 19 turnovers per game.
Lily Grimes also earned All-G-MAC honors last season, as she was named to the All-Defensive team. The second-year point guard averaged more than 25 minutes a night and grabbed 29 steals, adding a team-high 97 assists. Her 1.80 assist-to-turnover ratio ranked first in the G-MAC.
Co-head coach Nicole Nieman is pleased with the returners and how hard they worked this summer.
“All of our returners are keys into what we are going to be able to accomplish this season,” she said. “They have all decided to lead in how they want the culture of this program to be. They lead in communication and have created an environment where the new faces feel as comfortable as possible. They understand the work that is needed and have been consistent in sending that message.”
The Panthers’ schedule features 10 non-conference games, including four against former foes from the Great Lakes Valley conference. Wesleyan will square off with Rockhurst and Missouri S&T this weekend in the Pops Duncan Classic.
Wesleyan was picked to finish second in the preseason poll but did receive two first-place votes. Defending tournament champion Walsh was picked to finish first. The two teams met twice in the regular season last year but will only face off once this season in early January.
Nieman said every season is different and they embrace the challenge of teams being different from year to year.
“We love that aspect of coaching and our players love being able to create something new,” she said. “They are eager to be their own team and are enjoying being able to create what they want to be remembered for.”
