SEWARD, Neb. – The 20th annual Cattle Classic is set to tip off on Friday afternoon inside Walz Arena. The basketball classic features a total of four men’s games and four women’s games over the course of the two-day extravaganza. The event, co-sponsored by Concordia and Cattle Bank & Trust, raises money and food for the Blue Valley Community Action's Food Pantry. Pac N Save of Seward will match all canned food donations.
Fans are encouraged to bring canned goods in exchange for admission. Ten canned items will get an adult a weekend pass. Complete admission information for the Cattle Classic can be found HERE.
Live webcasts/stats: Concordia Sports Network
2019 CATTLE CLASSIC SCHEDULE
Friday, Nov. 1
- Women: Doane University vs. University of St. Francis (Ill.), 1 p.m.
- Men: Benedictine College (Kan.) vs. Hastings College 3 p.m.
- Women: Concordia vs. Simpson University (Calif.), 6 p.m.
- Men: Concordia vs. Dickinson State University (N.D.), 8 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 2
- Women: Doane University vs. Simpson University (Calif.), 10 a.m.
- Men: Dickinson State University (N.D.) vs. Hastings College, 12 p.m.
- Women: Concordia vs. University of St. Francis (Ill.), 3 p.m.
- Men: Concordia vs. Benedictine College (Kan.), 5 p.m.
The Women’s Field
Concordia University
Head coach: Drew Olson, 14th season
2019-20 Record: 2-0
2018-19 Record: 35-3
Conference: Great Plains Athletic Conference
Location: Seward, Nebraska
Top Player: Philly Lammers has already accomplished something no other player in program history has by claiming All-America awards in each of her first three collegiate seasons. She put up 19 points and 10 rebounds in last week’s 63-62 overtime win over second-ranked Southeastern University (Fla.). She has 1,601 career points.
Overview: Olson’s squad opened up the season ranked No. 1 in NAIA Division II and justifiably so after it won the 2019 national championship. The Bulldogs return starting guards Grace Barry (2019 national tournament MVP) and Riley Sibbel to go along with Lammers. Concordia won the College of the Ozarks Classic last weekend without the services of last season’s leading scorer, Taylor Cockerill. The Bulldogs will attempt to make up for it with their impressive depth. Sophomore Mackenzie Koepke (14 points, eight rebounds versus Southeastern) has the potential to become a star.
Doane University
Head coach: Sheronda Powell, 1st season
2019-20 Record: 0-0
2018-19 Record: 6-23
Conference: Great Plains Athletic Conference
Location: Crete, Nebraska
Top Player: Junior forward Haylee Heits took advantage of an increased role last season and led the team in scoring (14.0), rebounding (5.6) and blocks (0.83). Those numbers helped Heits land second team All-GPAC accolades.
Overview: The Tigers have a new leader after longtime head coach Tracee Fairbanks stepped down following the 2018-19 season. A former student-athlete at Michigan State University, Sheronda Powell steps into the coaching role. The program has struggled in recent years, hence why Doane has been picked 12th in the GPAC preseason poll.
University of St. Francis (Ill.)
Head coach: Steve Brooks, 20th season (3rd at St. Francis)
2019-20 Record: 0-0
2018-19 Record: 24-9
Conference: Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference
Location: Joliet, Illinois
Top Player: Returning first team All-CCAC selection Kailyn Aylward is back for her senior season. Aylward has put together a fantastic career having totaled 1,470 points, 648 rebounds, 200 assists and 168 steals over 98 games. She averaged 18.0 points last season.
Overview: The Fighting Saints were ranked ninth in the NAIA Division II preseason poll after reaching the second round of the national tournament last season (eliminated by Dakota Wesleyan). St. Francis is guided by one of the NAIA’s most accomplished basketball coaches in Steve Brooks, who steered Indiana Wesleyan University to national titles in 2007 and 2013. The Fighting Saints will be expected to contend for their league title and make a push deep into March.
Simpson University
Head coach: Derrick Pringle Jr., 13th season
2019-20 Record: 0-2
2018-19 Record: 18-12
Conference: California Pacific Conference
Location: Redding, California
Top Player: Senior guard Whitney Armstrong has a wealth of experience having played in 93 games in her career at Simpson. Through this season’s first two games, Armstrong has averaged 8.0 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.5 steals. She has amassed 489 career points.
Overview: Simpson is coming a long way to play Concordia and Doane at the Cattle Classic. A notable departure from last season’s 18-win squad is leading scorer Estella Gutierrez (14.5). The 2018-19 squad ranked 12th nationally in field goal percentage defense (.356). The Red Hawks averaged 67.8 points compared to 63.0 points allowed in 2018-19.