The Central women’s Wildcats basketball team (11-8 overall, 6-5 GNAC) finished a hard two game stretch and look to take on the Simon Fraser University.

The Wildcats split with the University of Alaska Anchorage and Fairbanks losing to Anchorage 58-50 and beating Fairbanks 71-50.

The win over Fairbanks boosted the Wildcats up one spot in the playoff race, putting them at fourth place in the GNAC.

Head coach Jeff Harada is excited for the playoff race.

“I love it, this is why you play. Every game is so critical. Every loss matters and every win matters.” Harada said “We are excited for it, it’s a chance for us to move up or down depending on how we do.”

Senior center Jasmine Parker had a big set of games putting up seven points, 11 rebounds and five blocks in the loss versus Anchorage. Parker continued her tear versus Fairbanks with 11 points, 13 rebounds and two blocks.

Harada has been pleased with Parkers play as of late.

“Her mentality, she is being aggressive. I have talked to her about staying aggressive and looking to score, looking to make a play, make something happen.” Harada said “Because she has that big play ability. She has the ability to take over games when she is on her game.”

The Wildcats will look to build off their win against the Clan and the Vikings.

These next two games will be extremely important for the Wildcat’s playoff chances.

The Wildcats start the road trip with Simon Fraser (SFU).

Simon Fraser is currently in fifth place in the GNAC, one spot behind the Wildcats, making this game that much more important. SFU is led by Senior guard Erin Chambers who is averaging 22.6 points per game.

She is currently leading the league in points per game. Along with Chambers they look to junior forward Meg Wilson to win the rebounding battle and give them a threat in the paint.

Wilson is averaging 13.7 points per game and 8.3 rebounds per game.

Harada knows keeping Chambers in check will be a key to beating SFU.

“We can’t get down when she scores. She is gunna score, the key is making her work for her shots.” Harada said “Great player, great scorer, we just need to contain her.”

Simon Fraser’s offense is built on ball movement. They average five more assists per a game than their opponents.

They also have a great ability to hit the three ball making on average almost double their opponent with 8.4 per game.

The Wildcats will have to be active on defense to stop this Simon Fraser offense.

After the Wildcats play Simon Fraser they will look to beating in-state rival Western Washnigton (WWU).

It is always a heated battle between these two teams, but when you have playoff implications like we do this year, it adds a little fuel to the fire.

WWU is sitting one spot above the Wildcats in the standings but only one game separates the two teams.

Getting a win against rival WWU would give the Wildcats a chance to jump them in the standing.

“Playing the next three versus the three teams ahead or tied with you in the standings; it’s big.” Harada said “Were excited for it.”

WWU does a great job at spreading the ball out. They love having every player on the court be a threat and stats show this.

They have four players averaging double digit points. Senior guards Katie Colard and Jenni White lead the way for WWU.

Redshirt junior Melanie Valdez is looking forward to this upcoming road trip including the game versus in state rival WWU.

“It’s always exciting to play WWU, but we just got to focus on Thursday and then we can focus on WWU.” Valdez said

The Wildcats have relied heavily on the leadership of senior guard Courtney Johnson this season and they will need her again for these upcoming games.

Johnson has been a huge piece to the Wildcats season so far. She is averaging 13.1 points per game and 5.9 rebounds per game.

Look for Johnson to have a big couple of games. She is the leader of this Wildcat team and they will follow her lead on this big two game road trip as they look for a couple huge wins and another boost in the standings.

“It’s a huge road trip we got a big win versus SFU here so we know they will be looking for payback, and it’s always hard to win on the road.” Johnson said “We will really need to bring our defense. We will start with our defense and let our offense come from that.”