Women's Basketball Preview: New-Look Eagles Emphasize Defensive Tenacity
The Faith Eagles women's basketball season begins on Thursday, November 10, with a game at Union College with a new coaching staff, an All-Conference newcomer, and a new focus on defense and toughness. First-year Head Coach Zak Kirkman can't wait to put his squad to the test.
"I'm excited to watch them play," said Kirkman, who coaches the team along with his wife, Talitha. The Kirkmans assumed their new role this summer after their graduation from Calvary University in Kansas City. "I think they will be a fun group to watch play. They really get after it in practice. I think this year is the year to come watch them play because they get up and down the floor and get after it on defense and make some shots."
The Kirkmans have emphasized a culture of defense in the first 13 practices of the season. Zak models his coaching style after two coaches he greatly admires in Texas Tech's Mark Adams and Virginia's Tony Bennett—both of whom are considered defensive masterminds in NCAA men's basketball.
"We have a lot of girls that love to get after it on the defensive end," said Kirkman. "We will be doing all we can on defense, pressuring the ball, taking charges, trying to win games that way. We have some good scorers, but I think our strong suit is definitely defense."
The Eagles return four of their top five scorers from a year ago, led by Rachel Kleczka (14.5 ppg), Makenna Laib (12.2 ppg), Mary Yarnell (6.5 ppg), and Tina Harms (4.6 ppg). The offense will also get a huge boost from sophomore transfer Mikayla Jones, who led Calvary University in three point shooting percentage and three point baskets a season ago and was named Second Team All-Conference.
Coach Kirkman is pleased with his balance of guards and post players. The addition of Jones and freshman point guard Kayla Stephens, who shot the ball well in high school, should help a team that struggled scoring from the perimeter in 2021-22. The Eagles made just 40-of-214 attempts from three-point distance last season (18.7 percent).
The Eagles should have great depth this season with returnees Whitney Wacker (sophomore), Faith Clark (sophomore), and newcomers Kayla Stephens (freshman), Chloe Emslie (freshman), Belle Wirges (freshman), and Grace Bolyard (freshman). Mikayla Jones, the sophomore transfer, will play a key role in the Eagles' success this season, especially on offense.
"Offensively, we are working on getting the ball to our scorers in their spots and getting the ball up the floor. We aren't going to play slow, we're going to get up and down the court."
Kirkman feels one of the advantages of this year's team is that they've spent a lot of time in the weight room. With over half of the team playing other fall sports (volleyball and soccer), the team should be in better shape than most as the season begins, although it has been difficult to schedule practices and get his full complement of players consistently.
"Our main team goal is to make it to regionals," said Kirkman. "The seniors were really disappointed they didn't qualify last year, so they are anxious to get back."
Some of the big non-conference games on Faith's schedule include matchups against North Central on Saturday, November 19, and Grace Christian on Monday, December 5. Those two matchups will give the Eagles a great feel for where they are at against tough regional and national competition.
Game time for the season opener at Union College is 4 p.m. on November 10. Coach Kirkman and his Eagles squad make their home debut the weekend of November 18 and 19 with the Faith Classic Basketball Tournament. Faith takes on Trinity Bible College on Friday, November 18, at 5 p.m. and North Central University on Saturday, November 19, at 4 p.m. You can view the complete roster and schedule information at fbbceagles.com.