By Terry Douglass
terry.douglass@theindependent.com

The Broncos (27-5) were ranked No. 4 in the final national poll, but are a No. 2 seed in their quarter of the bracket. Hastings opens play in the 32-team tournament at 2:15 p.m. Thursday against King College (Tenn.) at Sioux City's Tyson Arena.

Making its eighth consecutive trip and its ninth appearance overall in the NAIA Division II national tournament Hastings is 22-6 all-time in the tournament. The Broncos won national titles in 2002, 2003 and 2006, reached the semifinals in 2004 and advanced to the quarterfinals last year.

All through the impressive run, one constant for HC has been a stingy defense.

"That's what we hope happens on Thursday and I think that's one reason we've been successful up there on a consistent basis is that we don't just rely on outscoring somebody," Hastings coach Tony Hobson said. "Our defense is usually pretty consistent. If that's not effective for us, we're going to have a hard time beating anybody there.

"We've got enough good players that we can still do some damage, I think."

Depth probably wouldn't be an issue for Hastings if not for a late rash of injuries. Not only did the Broncos lose leading scorer and 6-foot sophomore center Lindsay Ducey (18 points per game) for their last four games with a broken foot, but Central City junior guard Kay Broekemeier (foot/leg) and sophomore backup guard Kim Faimon (hamstring) were hampered by injuries in their most recent game on March 1.

Despite being without an All-Great Plains Athletic Conference first-team selection in Ducey, Hastings was 3-1 without her. The only loss was a 76-59 setback at No. 3-ranked Northwestern (Iowa) in the semifinals of the GPAC Tournament.

"I do think that we've had some kids step it up," Hobson said. "You just have to find 15 to 20 points from somebody else and hope that the depth thing doesn't get you."

Fortunately for the Broncos, Broekemeier is close to full speed and Faimon returned to practice late last week. Hobson is also hopeful of regaining the services of Ducey probably in a limited role as she had her cast removed Tuesday.

"There's a chance she might be able to play a few minutes, but she's been in a cast since for 4 1/2 weeks, so she's not going to be terribly effective," Hobson said of Ducey. "She might be able to fill in a little bit here and there."

With Ducey out, 6-foot-4 junior Breanna Lien has moved into the starting center spot. Ravenna sophomore Heather McKeon, a 5-9 forward, has moved inside and comes off the bench to help give the Broncos added size on the interior.

Hobson said HC's depth in the post is so thin that even getting Ducey back for a few effective minutes in a reserve role could really help.

"The rebounding and defense is where it's going to hurt us," Hobson said. "Offensively, not having Ducey is not a good thing, but we don't notice it as much as we do just size-wise."

Size could be a major issue for Hastings in the first round. King College (21-11) has a starting lineup that features 6-1 forward Amanda Holmes and 6-foot forwards Kayla Olson and Bethany Wilson.

The Lady Tornado starts four seniors. Sophomore guard Beth Raby leads a well-balanced scoring attack, averaging 11.6 points per game.

"King College has got good size, a lot of experience and they've had a pretty good team since those kids have been sophomores," Hobson said. "They've got a couple of good shooters. I've seen film on them and everything, but that's kind of deceiving sometimes.

"Anytime you have that many seniors and that kind of size, you've got to look out because they could give you some trouble."

Starting Lineups

King College (21-11) Ht. Yr. Ppg. Rpg.

G Beth Raby 5-7 So. 11.6 3.2

G Tiffany Daniel 5-3 Sr. 7.9 1.8

F Kayla Olson 6-0 Sr. 9.0 3.6

F Bethany Wilson 6-0 Sr. 5.7 4.3

F Amanda Holmes 6-1 Sr. 9.5 4.5

Hastings (27-5) Ht. Yr. Ppg. Rpg.

G Haruka Yamashita 5-1 Sr. 7.4 1.6

G Rachel VanKirk 5-10 Jr. 4.6 2.5

G Kay Broekemeier 5-8 Jr. 12.6 5.3

G Rachel Isherwood 5-10 So. 8.3 2.6

C Breanna Lien 6-4 Jr. 6.7 5.4

WHEN: Thursday, 2:15 p.m.

WHERE: Tyson Events Center Sioux City, Iowa

TV: HCTV (Hastings cable ch. 6)

RADIO: KHAS (1230 AM)

WEB: NAIA.org, HCworldnews.com