Coe women’s basketball pushing for conference tournament berth

CEDAR RAPIDS — Coe's women's basketball team is young, but quickly gaining experience.

That’s a good thing with just six games left over the next three weeks before the American Rivers Conference tournament starts Feb. 22.

“Our main goal is always to get into the conference tournament and I think we've got a chance to do that,” sophomore Meagan Harvey said. “Obviously our record isn't looking the way we want it to, but we still have some big games coming up that we are excited for.

Coe (6-13, 3-7) will host conference rival Central (2-9, 0-5) on Saturday with tipoff scheduled for 2 p.m. The men’s game will follow.

Two of the newest members of the Kohawk squad are freshman Emily Sly and Harvey, who together helped lead Clear Creek Amana to its first state tournament berth during Harvey's senior season with the Clippers two years ago.

“Just knowing someone well and being able to relate,” said Harvey, who committed to Coe after considering other D-III and NAIA schools. “It's just kind of comfortable and like a home away from home.”

Sly also looked at several options near and farther away from her family's home in Coralville, but ultimately decided to stay close to her parents and her twin sister Rachel, who studies at Capri College in Cedar Rapids.

“I've always just been around people so it's been weird adapting,” Sly said. “It was definitely a comfort coming in to know that I had someone to go to and look up to.”

It also helps that both are studying Kinesiology — and Harvey being a year ahead.

“If I have any questions, I just go to her,” Sly said.

On the court, the duo are finding time on a roster that consists of five juniors, four sophomores and six freshmen.

Last year Harvey was a practice player, but this year has stepped into a sub role.

“(A good stat line for me) includes rebounds and assists, with a 3-pointer and a board with a put-back now and then,” Harvey said.

Sly is getting minutes, but is more focused on growing into a position as her playing time increases.

“Coming in I didn't know what my role would be,” Sly said. “I'm tall, but I'm a lot smaller than other girls so I have to be aggressive to hold my own.”

With two-plus years left playing together, Harvey and Sly hope they can bring the same success to the Coe program that they did at Clear Creek Amana.

“We have everybody back next year and I just want to do what I can for us to be successful moving forward,” Harvey said, with Sly adding “eventually, I want to play a big role with the team and do my part.”

Kirkwood on 8-game win streak

Kirkwood's women's basketball team has won eight straight since suffering its lone loss of the season on Dec. 30 to Illinois Central, 71-67, at ICC's holiday tournament in Peoria.

The Eagles (21-1, 12-0) are on the road Saturday at Northeast Community College in Norfolk, Neb., and host Iowa Lakes Feb. 2. They travel to Fort Dodge to face second-place Iowa Central (19-1, 9-1) on Feb. 5.

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