TAYLORSVILLE — The 2005-06 season was supposed to be a rebuilding year for the Salt Lake Community College women's basketball team. With only two sophomores from last year's team joining 10 freshmen, the Bruins had modest expectations placed upon their shoulders.
The Bruins, however, not only cruised to a third-place finish in the Scenic West Athletic Conference regular season with a 24-10 record (12-6 SWAC), the team caught fire in the postseason, winning the Region 18 tournament championship and earning the school's first invitation to the prestigious NJCAA national championship tournament in Salina, Kan.
The Bruins' regular-season success and amazing run through the postseason is even more surprising considering the team's identity was virtually unknown heading into last fall.
"What made this year's team different from other teams in the past is that with 10 freshmen we (the coaches) knew absolutely nothing about most of our players and how they would gel as a team," said SLCC coach Betsy Specketer.
Reaching the Region 18 tournament final was not unfamiliar territory for the school, as this year's appearance was the fourth consecutive time the Bruins reached the title game. Specketer, however, knew something was different this year.
"As the year progressed, I knew we were pretty good, but during the last month of the season, I really knew that we could win the tournament," said Specketer.
With a win over North Idaho College in the championship game and the Region 18 title in hand, the Bruins were off to Kansas for the NJCAA tournament, where they were treated to a rude awakening. Drawing Kansas League champion Colby Community College, the team was crushed in their first-round game 106-83, which relegated the team to the consolation bracket where they lost a heartbreaker to Shelton State College 64-59.
Going 0-2 in the NJCAA tournament was not an acceptable outcome for the team and Specketer.
"We were the underdog in the tournament, but I felt that we matched up with Colby. However, our freshmen were overwhelmed by their sophomores. I knew this tournament would be a different level of play, but I never thought it would affect our team that much."
Specketer will get the chance to return to the NJCAA tournament next season when the Bruins get the majority of this year's team back.
"I am very excited about the group we have coming back. Experience is the best lesson, and I don't think as a group this team was satisfied with our performance at the national tournament. These girls want to win the Region 18 tournament again and get back to the NJCAA tournament and win," she said.