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- The NCAA Division III banner of values posted in the Wartburg athletics office across from Levick Arena. Photo courtesy of Joshua Hamlyn. 

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Published 03/29/2022

 

Knights Go Dancing 

 

A young team made history while building for the future. Wartburg women’s basketball received an at-large bid into the 2022 NCAA Division III Women’s Basketball Championship Tournament after a 21-5 overall record. And a 13-3 in American Rivers Conference play (A-R-C). The Knights finished in second place in both the regular and post-season A-R-C standings. 

 

16-year Head Coach Bob Amsberry shared the Knight’s standard for the postseason and a drive to achieve more in the future. 

 

“That’s kind of our standard right now that we want to be playing in March, so it means a lot. I don’t want to put a ceiling on how good we can be. We just want to continue to prepare every day and get the most out of our potential,” said Amsberry. 

 

First Round Action 

 

The Knights traveled to Eau Claire, Wisconsin, to face Millikin University in first-round action on March 4th. The Knights fell to the Big Blue 81-68 in a tough season-ending matchup. During the game, the Knights shot 43% from the field and 28% from three-point range.  

 

The Knight's defensive effort kept things close by forcing 9 steals and 17 turnovers. The efficiency of the Big Blue on both ends of the court in the contest proved to be the difference.  As the Big Blue on offense shot 53% from the field and 66% from three-point range. On defense, they gathered 14 steals and forced 17 turnovers to help them seal the win. 

 

The Big Blue entered the tournament with an overall record of 21-6 and a conference record of 14-2. The Big Blue finished first in the regular season and second in the postseason standings in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW). 

 

The Knights were led by sophomore guard Sara Faber with 22 points, and sophomore Jaedon Murphy with 17 points and 8 rebounds in the contest. The Knights had helpful bench production in the game with 31 points. 

 

How Much March Means 

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The Knights have received bids to the last six NCAA tournaments. Those bids included two final four appearances in the 2015-16 season and the 2017-18 season and an elite eight appearance 2018-19 season.  

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The 2020 and 2021 NCAA tournaments were canceled due to COVID-19 concerns nationwide. For this year’s tournament, being able to be back on the court competing for a national title meant a lot to the Knights and brought back a sense of normalcy after a long two years of uncertainty. 

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Building great team culture allows programs to grow and have success on and off the court. While also creating an environment where players are excited to be a part of it season in and season out. The Knights have been able to develop this kind of culture over the years because of a great coaching staff and consistent upperclassmen leadership with a presence on and off the court. 

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“I’ve got a great group of players that are certainly really talented, but they are high character kids too. For us to be what we want to be. That is the kind of people we need in our program,” said Amsberry. 

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- Wartburg NCAA tournament regional trophies from 2016 and 2018 are on display outside Levick Arena. Video Courtesy of Joshua Hamlyn. 

 

Offseason Begins 

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After the Knights’ tough first-round loss to Milliken, they will get a chance to rest and recharge. Sophomore guard Britney Young and her teammates will get into their strength and conditioning program to prepare for next season. 

 

“Obviously, get into the gym individually and open gyms. Just trying to stick together also during the offseason working together and building off each other. Staying in shape, getting a basketball in hand, even over the summer continuing to do so. We take pride in getting together during the spring and when we are actually in school since we don’t meet up in the summer. This time is valuable for us to keep working,” said Young. 

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The Knights’ strength and conditioning program and other team activities during the offseason provide the team with more chances to grow and build chemistry going into the next season. 

  

Future is Bright 

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The Knights say goodbye to three senior leaders from this year’s team -- Hannah Anderson, Brea Dillavou, and Gabby Schwarting who helped this younger team in meeting the Knight’s standard of excellence on the court.  

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The Knights are returning a talented group of players with some good game experience including all-conference honorees first-team player sophomore Jaedon Murphy, and second-team players junior Macy Harris and sophomore Sara Faber.  

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Director of Athletics John Cochrane who is in his first year talked about the Knight’s future after witnessing their great season on the court. 

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“In terms of being optimistic for the future and bringing a percentage of contributors back, I think this is a really exciting time for women’s basketball at Wartburg and the future is extremally bright,” said Cochrane. 

 

The Knights head into the offseason after a year of growth and moments on the court. 

 

Stay up to date on Wartburg Women’s Basketball on go-knights.net and Wartburg Basketball Insider throughout the offseason.