Pilcher pulls team to victory

Senior captain “refuses to lose,” coach says

Matt Bower

Staff Writer

There is no ‘I’ in team, but every good team has importantindividuals that they look to and depend upon.

One of the players who is responsible for the Storm’s successand plays a key role in its victories is senior Amanda Pilcher.

Pilcher graduated from Fort Dodge High School where she wasselected first team All-State and All-Conference her senior year,named second team All-State as a junior and third team All-State asa sophomore.

She attended Iowa Central Community College for a year where sheplayed softball, volleyball and helped lead the basketball team tonationals with an eighth place finish in the nation.

Pilcher came to Simpson to play softball. Although she playsboth softball and basketball for the Storm, it is obvious that sheis concentrating her efforts on basketball right now, as she is theleading scorer and second leading rebounder for the team.

Pilcher averages 15.9 points per game and 6.6 rebounds per gameand she puts up impressive numbers with 11 total steals so far thisseason. She also leads the team in blocking with 13 total blocksand she has started and played in all 10 games this season.

“We got off to a slow start, but the season has gone well. Weare a young team, but we have grown,” said Pilcher.

The team has big goals, but they are taking it one game at atime.

Their hope for the future is winning the conference tournamentand then going on to the NCAA tournament.

“She brings a fiery spirit and experience to the table. She’sour enforcer and challenges both her teammates and herself,” saidcoach Brian Niemuth.

According to Niemuth, Pilcher is not very big for her positionbut she does not let that stop her because she uses her skillswisely and utilizes finesse inside.

“I love to play and love to compete,” said Pilcher.

Niemuth agrees that she is very competitive and believes this isone of her strengths on the court.

“She refuses to lose,” said Niemuth.

Pilcher, one of three captains, is a natural team leader and hercompetitive spirit creates a will to win and drive for success.