By Mason Nesbitt, TMU Sports Information Director

As members of The Master’s University women’s basketball team coiffed their hair and tugged at jersey creases ahead of an outdoor photo shoot earlier this month, a student shuffled past the camera and voiced the thoughts of many around campus.

“Let’s go Mustangs, win GSAC – and nationals,” he called out in a burst of enthusiasm.

It’s true. Master’s enters the 2018-19 season as a contender for the Golden State Athletic Conference title and a seventh straight trip to the NAIA Division 1 national tournament.

The Mustangs, picked 14th nationally and second in conference in the preseason, feature a grip of veteran shooters, two post players poised to continue progressing and a talented freshman center.

“I think the potential for this group is high,” said head coach Dan Waldeck. “I think one thing I’ve learned in coaching is that every team is unique, even if a lot of the players are the same. There has to be a camaraderie that is developed in each season. That’s what leads to success.”

So, too, does returning an NAIA All-American wing.

Junior Hannah Forrar led the club in scoring (12.9 points per game) last year on her way to All-GSAC and NAIA All-American honors. She shot 41% from three as part of a Mustang team that made 7.7 shots from long range on a nightly basis, most in the GSAC and 15th most nationally.

Hannah Ostrom, Brooke Bailey and Jamilee Iddings all fall into the category of shot-making guards who can beat an overzealous defender off the dribble. Each has helped fuel a Mustang squad that runs and guns. Sabrina Thompson and Hannah Throns, veterans in their own right, will help push the pace at the point guard position.

“We’ll definitely be running a lot,” said Thompson, who averaged 7.7 points and three assists as a sophomore last year. “We’ll be shooting from the outside and getting it inside.”

It’s that improved inside presence that should push the Mustangs toward the top of the GSAC after last season’s 7-7, fifth-place finish.

Master’s still wants to play with pace, but not at the expense of neglecting a talented frontcourt highlighted by the Soares sisters and Anika Neuman.

“We’d be foolish if we play so fast that those guys aren’t getting touches,” Waldeck said.

Neuman transitioned almost seamlessly to the college game as a freshman in 2017-18. She finished second on the team in scoring (11 ppg) and second in rebounding (5.4).

She won’t have to anchor TMU’s defense this year and will be freed up to range behind the three-point line on offense after 6-foot-3 sophomore Jessica Soares showed vast improvement in last season’s final months – and with the addition of Soares’ sister, Stephanie.

Stephanie Soares, a freshman, stands at 6-6 and comes in as one of the country’s premier recruits for any division.

She will provide an added scoring presence and protect the rim at a high level.

“I want to help out my team as much as I can with rebounding, scoring, just on help defense because that’s something I like doing,” Stephanie Soares said.

The luxury for Master’s is that Stephanie Soares won’t have to carry the team. There’s plenty of talent to share the load.

Most players in TMU’s rotation (which might go 10 deep) can play multiple positions. Throns, for one, can impact a game at point guard or power forward. She averaged 4.6 points and 5.9 rebounds in 16 games, numbers that will likely rise in her first full season with the Mustangs.

Tristen Coltom got her feet wet at point guard last season but also might see time off the ball as a sophomore. She made 28 3-pointers a year ago as part of a strong second unit that also featured Rebekah Throns, Hannah’s younger sister and a do-a-little-of-everything forward.

Rebekah Throns was one of three Mustangs to average better than five rebounds per game (TMU was the ninth best team in the NAIA in terms of defensive rebounding, a number that should only improve), and she’s one of five players listed at 6-foot or above. The defense will be long and athletic, even if it’s unclear exactly who will play with who.

“The rotations and how they all work together are going to be interesting,” Waldeck said.
An aspect of Master’s not in flux: its focus.

“We have the same goal as we’ve always had,” Waldeck said. “To get better every day. To honor the Lord and to make sure every player is maximizing her potential.”