Oct 30, 2007 - 04:05:24 CDT
Bismarck State women's basketball coach Len Stanley was dealt a huge blow when the season started.Point guard Addie Diede announced she didn't plan to play this season. That changed the whole dynamic of the Mystics, who are left without a true point guard for the season.
Transfer Hatti Ternes will help smooth things over. Ternes, who played for Jamestown College last season, gives Stanley more options at the point guard spot.
"That's the nature of the beast in junior college basketball," Stanley said. "There's always the unforeseen. You think you have all the pieces put together, and then something like this happens. We will have to bring the ball up by committee."
In addition to Ternes, Jacie Neys and Amber Titus (another Jamestown transfer) could split time handling point guard duties.
Ternes, a 2006 graduate of Century, earned her keep as a sharpshooter. Three-time all-stater Andrea LaFrance took care of point guard duties at Century.
At Jamestown, Ternes played in all 29 games and started seven. She drained 24 3-pointers and averaged 3.7 points a game.
Ternes' long-range shooting is just one of several skills that she brings to the Mystics.
"Her biggest attributes are her leadership abilities," Stanley said. "She has earned the respect of her teammates in that regard. She's vocal and likes to get after it. Sometimes it's hard to teach kids that."
Ternes, a 5-foot-8 sophomore, was just excited to return home to Bismarck.
"I learned a lot at Jamestown," said Ternes, a biology major. "One year of experience of college basketball has benefited me. College basketball is a step up from high school and I have learned how to adapt."
Stanley tried to land Ternes when she prepped at Century. After she signed at Jamestown, Stanley assured her the door was always open if she ever decided to return home.
"She's a coach's delight,"Stanley said. "She comes to practice with a smile on her face, and a bounce in her step. Her work ethic is second to none. She's been a Godsend."
The Mystics return four sophomores off last season's 19-13 squad Neys, Relane Kabanuck, Emily Schlosser and Ivy Gilbertson.
Along with Diede, post Heather Nuss decided not to suit up for her sophomore season.
Stanley sees more quality depth in the post with Gilbertson, Schlosser, Titus and Sami Lauf working inside.
"We have four kids who can roll in and out of the post area," Stanley said.
Schlosser hung up 13 points and snagged 3.6 rebounds per clip. Gilbertson averaged 7.2 points and 4.3 rebounds a game.
For Jamestown, Titus played in 13 games last season. She averaged 1.8 points and 1 rebound a contest. Lauf helped lead New Salem to the Class B state title game.
"Titus is versatile," Stanley said. "She can help us at the 3-4-5 spots. She can take it to the basket, and she can handle the ball. Lauf should get a lot of playing time. She can play inside and step up and hit the 3. She kind of reminds me of (former BSC star) Angie Frenzel."
Ternes hopes her transfer turns into success on the court.
"We have a chance at getting to nationals," she said. "We are improving each day as a team."
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