BASKETBALL: Schmidt hopes to lead young Lady Chaps
Midland college sophomore guard/forward Frida Schmidt is not concerned about having so many new faces on this year’s women’s basketball roster. In fact, she believes it could be exciting.
By Oscar LeRoy
Midland Reporter-Telegram
MIDLAND, TEXAS - Midland college sophomore guard/forward Frida Schmidt is not concerned about having so many new faces on this year's women's basketball roster.
In fact, she believes it could be exciting.
"We have a bunch of new girls and it's obviously a challenge going into this season with so many freshmen, but I also think it's a good chance to bring new energy and new things," she said.
The Lady Chaparrals begin the season on Thursday when they travel to face Jacksonville College at the JBC Classic.
For longtime MC head coach Ron Jones there are a lot questions how good this team could be with so many newcomers and his only returning players currently battling through injuries. Schmidt and sophomore guard Nikki Sainsbury have been hobbled, which leaves a team full of new faces trying to learn Jones' systems and ways of doing things.
"We've got a lot of inexperience on the floor right now and we're making a lot of mistakes," Jones said. "I know we can get it fixed but as a coach you want to get it fixed sooner rather than later. And I think until we can make the adjustment to the speed of the game and the physicality of the game, it's going to be our challenge for the first several weeks, especially until we get into some kind of rhythm of how to play."
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| Frida Schmidt |
Schmidt, who is from Wuppertal, Germany, is in her third year in the program. She got limited playing time in her first year and then suffered a torn ACL in a scrimmage before last season. She said she recently suffered a hyperextended knee, which caused her to miss out in the team's recent practices.
"Right now I'm doing rehab again and I should start full practice (this week) and hopefully start playing as soon as possible," she said. "I'm obviously excited because I haven't played in a long time coming off a knee injury. But also a little bit nervous. I really enjoy being with these girls, they make it a lot easier. I think it will be a lot of fun. We're all willing to work hard and win some games."
Schmidt also knows that other players will look to her for guidance and leadership, and that is something she is embracing.
"I think they do lean on me and I want them to," she said. "It's probably a little easier for me, especially being here for three years and also age-wise. I'm older than most of them. I think that's a good thing."
Jones said this team has a little bit of everything and the players have good attitudes. He said that the team's development is slower than what he's used to but knows that it will come along with more experience on the court.
"It's been a long time that I've had a team without several returners. It's not an excuse, it's just where we are right now," he said. "I know we'll get better and it'll improve rapidly once the season starts. It always does."
Added Schmidt: "We need to grow as a team, considering that we're so young. Me and Nikki never played together because I was hurt last year, so nobody else on the team played with anybody else. That's a challenge but I feel that's also good because we can grow together."
Follow Oscar on Twitter: @OLeRoy_MRT
LADY CHAPS AT A GLANCE
Head coach: Ron Jones, 29th season (685-204 at MC, 718-231 in 30 years overall)
2021-22 season: 21-7 overall, 11-3 in Western Junior College Athletic Conference (2nd)
Key players lost: WJCAC MVP Bella Green, All-WJCAC F Dana Thompson, All-WJCAC F/C Makayla Escue, WJCAC honorable mention G Brooke Galvin
Key returners: G/F Frida Schmidt, G Nikki Sainsbury
Key newcomers: F Desiree Smith, G Safena Williams
Coach's quote: "Every year is about the same. I know we can compete at the top of our conference if we can defend, rebound and take care of the ball. We know how talented the top half of this conference is. We know we can get there, but we're not there yet. Our number one challenge is because we're not as deep inside, is how we rebound. If we rebound with the top teams, then we'll play with the top teams."
Notes: Smith and Williams are transfers. Smith played at Garden City Community College last year, while Williams played at Central Maine CC. Williams averaged 9.2 points, 4.7 assists and 4.2 rebounds per game at Central Maine last year, while Smith averaged 2.5 points and 3.3 rebounds per game at GCCC.
2022-23 MIDLAND COLLEGE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL ROSTER
No. Name Pos. Class Ht. Hometown
0 Desiree Smith F So. 6-0 Fayettville, N.C.
1 Luka Wouters G Fr. 5-5 Hasselt, Belgium
2 Taja Stephens G Fr. 5-8 Plantation, Fla.
3 Safena Williams G So. 5-5 Auckland, New Zealand
4 Savana Goodson F/C Fr. 6-1 Richmond, Va.
5 Janay Quinn G Fr. 5-2 Miami
10 Tinu Fakunle F Fr. 5-8 London, England
11 Jae'oni Davis G So. 5-5 Bronx, N.Y.
21 Luisa Anderegg F Fr. 6-2 Cologne, Germany
22 Nikki Sainsbury G So. 5-9 Sydney, Australia
23 Franka Kraus G Fr. 5-9 Bensheim, Germany
24 Frida Schmidt G/F So. 6-1 Wuppertal, Germany
Head coach: Ron Jones
Assistant coach: Joshua Smith
2022-23 MIDLAND COLLEGE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL SCHEDULE
Date Opponent Time
Nov. 3 a-Jacksonville College 6 p.m.
Nov. 4 a-Panola College 4 p.m.
Nov. 5 a-Blinn College 1 p.m.
Nov. 10 Ranger College 7 p.m.
Nov. 12 Dodge City CC 4 p.m.
Nov. 18 b-Trinity Valley CC 7 p.m.
Nov. 19 b-Collin County CC 4 p.m.
Dec. 2 Lamar CC 7 p.m.
Dec. 3 Jacksonville College 4 p.m.
Dec. 9 at Cisco College 3 p.m.
Dec. 10 at Ranger College 4 p.m.
Dec. 30 c-LSU Eunice 5:30 p.m.
Dec. 31 c-Coahoma CC 4:30 p.m.
Jan. 1 c-Pensacola State College 11:30 a.m.
Jan. 3 at McLennan CC 5:30 p.m.
Jan. 7 at *Howard College 2 p.m.
Jan. 9 *Frank Phillips College 5:45 p.m.
Jan. 12 at *New Mexico JC 6:45 p.m.
Jan. 16 *Clarendon College 5:45 p.m.
Jan. 19 at *Western Texas College 5:45 p.m.
Jan. 23 *Odessa College 5:45 p.m.
Jan. 30 at *South Plains College 5:45 p.m.
Feb. 2 *Howard College 5:45 p.m.
Feb. 6 at *Frank Phillips College 5:45 p.m.
Feb. 9 *New Mexico JC 5:45 p.m.
Feb. 13 at *Clarendon College 5:45 p.m.
Feb. 16 *Western Texas College 5:45 p.m.
Feb. 20 at *Odessa College 5:45 p.m.
March 2 *South Plains College 5:45 p.m.
a-at JBC Classic, Jacksonville, Texas
b-Midland WNIT
c-Lake Charles Classic, Lake Charles, La.
*Denotes WJCAC opponent