The Northern Oklahoma College Lady Mavericks open the 2021 season Jan. 20 when the Mavs host Cowley County at 5:30 p.m. at Foster-Piper Fieldhouse.
The Lady Mavs are under the tutelage of head coach Greg Krause entering his 39th season at NOC Tonkawa. The Lady Mavs suffered a number of injuries in 2020 finishing the year at 3-26.
In a normal year, the Lady Mavs would have opened the season in November but due to Covid-19, the NJCAA season opens Jan. 20.
“It’s been a big adjustment,” Krause said. “We’ve tried to keep our routines the same but it’s been a challenge. We didn’t see our players for 60 days and now we play in two weeks so we are going full go to get ready for our first game against Cowley. We are excited to get started and compete.”
The Lady Mavs return five letter winners from 2020 including guards Mia Brown, Celeste Moore, and Caitlin Bailey along with forwards Radina Zhivachka and Lauren Coates. Brown and Moore missed most of last year with injuries.
“We have a solid returning group,” Krause said. “Mia (Brown) has a chance to be a special player, she can shoot the ball well and has the ability to make things happen with the dribble. Radina (Zhivachka) is a post player that is very versatile, she can shoot the 3-pointer but can also post up well in the paint. Celeste (Moore) is a tremendous athlete while Lauren (Coates) and Caitlin (Bailey) are solid players.”
Krause is also counting on transfer Gavriel Myers. “She can really shoot the ball,” he said. “She’ll help us a lot.” Krause also has sophomore Kailynn Belcher as well as incoming freshmen Morgan Livesay, Delaney Reimer, Chloe Brinlee, Travisha Cogdill, Kaitlyn Clemons, and Morgan Romero. “They are a good group with a lot of promise,” Krause said. “We have a good combination of shooting and playmaking. I think they call all contribute this year. This is the kind of year where everyone is going to have to be ready to go when they are needed.” This year’s schedule is 23 games with 18 NJCAA Region 2 games and five non-conference games.
Region 2 games include home and home series with NOC Enid, NEO, Western, Eastern, Redlands, Murray State, and Seminole. Non-conference games include a home and home series with Cowley College and Labette (KS) and Southwest Christian.
The Lady Mavs assistant coach is Carey Phariss.
Currently, a decision has ...
