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Carroll tops a loaded Frontier women's conference
Former Havre Blue Pony Dani Wagner, left, is an NAIA All-American, who leads the nationally ranked Carroll College Fighting Saints again this season. Carroll is picked to win the Frontier, but the field of six teams is as deep as its ever been.
Year in and year out, Frontier Conference women's basketball is as good as any in the NAIA. The league routinely sends quality teams to the national tournament, and has recently produced national champions and championship contenders.
And though there will be changes to the 2022 season, the fact that the Frontier is the best conference in the NAIA won't. In fact, the league might be better than ever this winter. And that's exciting because, fans are back in the stands, the schedule is new, and 2022 has all the makings one exciting season. Here's a look at the Frontier, team-by-team, in the league's predicted order of finish.
Carroll College Fighting Saints
2021-22: 14-2, 2-0
2020-21: 21-3, 13-1, 1st in Frontier
Head Coach: Rachelle Sayers
Location: Helena
OUTLOOK: It's hard to fathom the Saints being better than last year, but they are. That's because the Saints returned almost their entire, senior-laden roster from last year's run at the national tourney. Led by All-Americans Dani Wagner (16 ppg), Christine Denny (12 ppg) and Jamie Pickens (12 ppg) Carroll is arguably the deepest team the Frontier has ever seen, with the likes of Jaidyn Lyman, Kyle Olson, Kamden Hillborn, Sienna Swannack and Maddie Geritz also among the players who returned for another year. Add to that Carroll having already played a really tough schedule and the fact the Saints are an elite defensive team, and not only will they be tough to dethrone in the Frontier, but they also are poised to deliver a national title to Helena.
Montana Western Bulldogs
2021-22: 10-3, 1-1
2020-21: 17-10, 12-8, 3rd in Frontier
Head Coach: Lindsay Woolley
Location: Dillon
OUTLOOK: Just a couple years removed from a national championship, the Bulldogs have yet to experience much of a slide backwards. In fact, Western has remained among the best of the best in the country, and this winter is no different. Led by Brynley Fitzgerald's 17 points and six rebounds per night, as well as veterans Jenni Weber, Shiny Mack and Mesa King, the Dawgs look like the one team in the Frontier that can hang with Carroll this season. Either way, Western is off to a great start and will be a force all year long.
Providence Argos
2021-22: 14=3, 1-1
2020-21: 10-6, 9-4, 2nd in Frontier
Head Coach: Bill Himmelberg
Location: Great Falls
OUTLOOK: Like Carroll, The Argos are the beneficiaries of the return of some super-talented seniors, including All-Americans Emilee Maldonado and Parker Esary, who combine to average 31 points per night. Easy is also a double-double every night, while Reed Hazard and Brooklyn Harn have come into their own as Providence averages 72 points per night and is a stellar defensive team as well. And like Carroll and Western, the Argos are almost lock to go to the national tournament.
MSU-Northern Skylights
2021-22: 3-10, 0-2
2020-21: 7-14, 5-10, 4th in Frontier
Head Coach: Chris Mouat
Location: Havre
OUTLOOK: The Skylights are off to a tough start this winter after making a run to the Frontier semifinals last winter. Northern did graduate some firepower, but seniors Peyton Kehr and Sydney Hovde are back and both average double figures with Hovde being one of the top rebounders in the conference. L'Tia Lawrence has also blossomed into a stellar young point guard, but the Skylights will need some of their new players to step up now that conference play has arrived for good.
Rocky Mountain Battlin' Bears
2021-22: 11-1, 2-0
2020-21: 1-12, 1-9, 6th in Frontier
Head Coach: Wes Keller
Location: Billings
OUTLOOK: After one of the most difficult seasons in program history, the Bears appear to be back. Averaging over 70 points per game, Rocky is off to a strong start, with transfer N'Dea Flye scoring 19 points per night. All-American Kloie Thatcher is also back, while Shauna Bribiescas is averaging 13 points per game for a high-scoring Rocky quad that is also getting great contributions from a deep and talented roster. And with how good Rocky is looking so far, the Bears are yet another team that has national-tourney contender written all over them.
Montana Tech Orediggers
2021-22: 7-8, 0-2
2020-21: 5-14, 5-13
Head Coach: Carly VanDyke
Location: Butte
OUTLOOK: The Orediggers have had their struggles in recent years, but it isn't from a lack of talent. And the talent is there again this winter. Forward Tavia Rooney and guard Mollie Peoples are veteran returners for the Diggers, as is Dani Urick. And while Tech was picked to finish last n the Frontier this season, the Diggers will be a tough out for every team they face over the next two months.
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