Loralyn Murdoch hungers like a wolf for another basketball championship banner to hang from the rafters of the University of Northern British Columbia gymnasium.
"It's been a while since we got that and we'd like to get back to that level for sure," said Murdoch, UNBC women's basketball coach, about the 2008 provincial college title the Timberwolves won.
When the 2011-2012 PACWEST season tips off for the T-wolves Friday (6 p.m.) at the Northern Sport Centre against Christian Bible College and Saturday (6 p.m.) versus Douglas College, Murdoch said, she has certain expectations for the 13 women wearing the green and gold.
"I like to think we're going to be the hardest working team," said Murdoch.
The T-wolves will have a veteran presence on the floor this season with three fifth-year - Jennifer Clyne, Erin Beckett and Maria Neumann - and nine returning players.
"Some of the girls have played together for quite a few years, so that experience should help us on the court," said Murdoch.
There will be a large Prince George presence on the T-wolves bench this season with eight players from area high schools.
"Every year the talent level in Prince George is getting higher and higher," said Murdoch. "We like to keep the girls local if we can."
For the first time in two seasons the T-wolves will have a new starting point guard, since Christine Kennedy, the 2009-2010 Canadian Colleges Athletic Association player of the year, graduated last spring.
"Now filling those shoes we've got three different girls," said Murdoch.
Jennifer Knibbs, a second-year guard from Saskatoon, and two D.P. Todd Secondary graduates in sophomore Ashley McMillan and freshman Danielle Steele.
"They're trying to find their way in that position," added Murdoch, the T-wolves coach since 1997.
In the post position UNBC has newcomer Nicole Schlick, a Duchess Park graduate, and Beckett and Neumann.
"We've got experience in the post right now and the guards are kind of finding their ways," said Murdoch.
The perimeter players for the T-wolves, Clyne, Mercedes Van Koughnett and Kady Dandeneau, are all experienced college players.
HOLIDAY TREAT
During the Christmas hiatus the T-wolves will host the under-18 Japanese national team in a pair of games Jan. 3 and 4.
"It'll be a really nice cultural visit for them and for our girls to interact with them," said Murdoch.
"I had an opportunity to go to Japan and work with a team for 10 days and they're very disciplined and trained extremely hard and I have full expectations that they're going to come out and run."
