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Graupe hoping MSU women’s hoops will ‘surprise’ in 2017

Submitted Photo Minot State guard Madison Wald (3) drives to the lane during a women's college basketball game last season at the MSU Dome. Photos courtesy of Sean Arbaut/Minot State athletics

Last season, the Minot State women’s basketball team was depleted by injuries.

The often shorthanded Beavers struggled to a 4-25 record, by far their worst in the Division II era.

Shortly after the year ended, longtime MSU coach Sheila Green Gerding stepped away from the program after more than two decades with the team.

This season marks a new beginning for MSU women’s basketball, as former Dickinson State coach Mark Graupe takes over for Green Gerding after leading the Blue Hawks to multiple NAIA national tournament appearances the last two seasons.

“Several practices in, I like our players’ attitude and energy,” Graupe said. “Sometimes with a change of coaches, you don’t know what you’re going to get. Sheila was a wonderful coach and had a tremendous track record here. But now the girls have to get used to a different style and all that. I’ve been really pleased with their attitude and their energy.”

Submitted Photo Minot State guard Kari Clements (12) dribbles the basketball during a women's college basketball game last season. Photos courtesy of Sean Arbaut/Minot State athletics

At MSU’s late night event on Tuesday, Graupe told the crowd at the MSU Dome staying healthy will be key to the Beavers’ success in the 2017-2018 season. If MSU can stay out of the training room, Graupe likes his team’s chances to sneak up the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference standings.

“They got bit by the injury bug last year, so we have to stay healthy,” Graupe said. “But if we do, I’m just going to tell you, we’re going to surprise some people.”

The first-year coach is pleased with the Beavers’ depth in the frontcourt, with six forwards on MSU’s roster. MSU will be bolstered by a familiar face, former Minot High standout Holly Johnson. Johnson transferred from the University of North Dakota in the summer after playing six games for the Fighting Hawks last season and averaged 12.2 points and seven rebounds per game with North Dakota State in the 2014-2015 season.

Johnson said she’s pleased to be back in the Magic City and has had quite a few people ask her about her decision to join the Beavers since she announced her transfer last summer.

“It is a bit of a redundant question for me at this point,” Johnson said. “But I’m excited to be back here and compete in my hometown in front of my family and friends. My sister and my dad played here, so I’m excited to continue that family tradition.”

Johnson has battled injuries the last two seasons, including one that forced her to miss the entire 2015-2016 campaign. Yet, the 6-foot forward says she feels ready for the grind of the basketball season.

“I feel good,” Johnson said. “I also feel like a sixth-year senior, that’s for sure. But I feel healthy and I’m ready for games to start. I think everyone is excited about a new change and everyone has really bought into what (coach Graupe) is about these last few practices. We’re excited to be under his leadership.”

Meanwhile, junior guard and Minot native Madison Wald will lead the Beavers in the backcourt after averaging 10.3 points per game last season and dishing out 36 assists. Junior guard Kari Clements also figures to play a prime scoring role after leading the team in scoring with 10.7 points per contest and averaging 2.2 assists per game. Sophomore Mariah Payne should see time at point guard as well after leading the team with 3.2 assists per game and scoring 9.7 points per night.

“Our backcourt is deep is well,” Graupe said. “When I got the job, we had some open gyms right away and I thought Maddie Wald looked the best of anybody in open gyms. Having Minot’s own in the backcourt with Holly and Maddie, we’ll have some good pieces. We have great depth at all places.”

Other key players that might make key contributions are senior forward Kristal Flowers (6.9 rebounds, 9 points per game), senior guard Diondra Denton (7.5 points per game) and sophomore forward Haley Hildenbrand (5.8 points, 3.8 rebounds per contest).

Graupe hopes the Beavers can outperform their expectations, but also said he doesn’t expect everything to click right away.

“I’m a very patient person,” he said. “When you look back, people don’t remember what you did in October and November. They really don’t. They see what you do in January. I don’t panic right away. Some coaches try to throw too much stuff in too early. You know, we probably won’t run any out-of-bounds plays until December. Some people might say ‘What? That’s crazy.’

“But it’s not, because we’re going to spend our time on fundamentals and playing good man defense. I’m in no hurry to throw in extra stuff because I want to play our best basketball at the end of the year. It comes down to whether you want to do a few things really well or a lot of things mediocre. I want to do a few things well.”

MSU takes on Dickinson State at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday in an exhibition at Four Bears Casino & Lodge in New Town, then opens the regular season against Rocky Mountain College (Montana) on Nov. 10 at the MSU Dome.

Garrick Hodge covers Minot State athletics, the Minot Minotauros and high school sports. Follow him on Twitter @Garrick_Hodge.

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