 "Photo: Ted Copeland/The Olympian")
The Olympic College women’s basketball team is ready to start a new season under the leadership of a new head coach.
Tammy Helwig, who was hired in August after the resignation of Paul Felker, will lead the ladies into their first match-up on Saturday against South Puget Sound in Olympia.
With eight freshman and four sophomores on the team, Helwig wants to bring a lot of energy to the court this year.
“I want to push the ball this year,” said Helwig. “I want the girls to play very aggressive defense and show energy.”
Helwig, a former basketball coach at South Kitsap and Peninsula High Schools, said she is happy she finally has the opportunity to coach the Rangers this year.
“I’m really excited to be here,” said Helwig. “I’ve wanted the opportunity for a while, and I plan on being here for quite some time.”
While the Rangers are full of freshmen, sophomores Keri Leaverton, Jodi Mitchell and Jessica Jordan will lead the team, which is coming off a losing 6-18 record last season.
“I really want to motivate the girls this season,” said Helwig. “We are going to work very hard.”
The OC women have not had a team with a winning record in a few years now, and Helwig said she understands that she will need to work hard to keep her players encouraged to turn that recent trend around.
Her experience in the area with girl’s high school basketball also bodes well for the program as a whole to get back on the winning track.
“I’ve coached a lot of girls in this area and on this team, either at South or Peninsula,” said Helwig. “I’m hoping for a good season.”
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