There is little doubt the seniors of the Idaho women’s basketball team will look back on Saturday’s game with positive memories.
It was only minutes into the first quarter when the Vandal seniors begun to put on a show against Sacramento State.
Ali Forde and Christina Salvatore led the charge for the Vandals early. In the first quarter alone, Forde had 13 points and Salvatore had 12.
“There was definitely an energy about it tonight,” Forde said. “It was cool to have everyone out here supporting throughout four years.”
It is clear that the team will miss these productive playmakers. The seniors combined for a total of 17 points in the first half, allowing the team to enter halftime leading 59-29.
The upperclassmen’s experience was a major contributor to the Vandals’ massive lead.
On several occasions, the Hornets tried a full-court press on the Vandals. The young Sacramento State roster was no match, and the Vandals’ quick and decisive passing easily cut through the Hornets defense and led to easy baskets.
“We know that after you beat the first line, you’re probably going to get one-on-one in the paint,” said Idaho head coach Jon Newlee.
Newlee said this year’s class of senior athletes was special.
“They were the ones that raised this program to championship levels,” Newlee said. “I knew that when we signed that class, that was going to happen.”
Newlee said he immediately saw potential in the original seniors when they joined the program.
Forde, Salvatore and Connie Ballestero all played together since their arrival at the University of Idaho in 2012. The strong leadership of the trio throughout their careers provided the Vandals consistency in both scoring and defense.
The consistency of the seniors was readily apparent Saturday at the Cowan Spectrum.
As the margin of victory increased to 40 points midway through the fourth quarter, Newlee made a point to make sure every senior on the roster saw the court at one point or another.
When Newlee substituted his seniors for the very last time, emotions ran high among all of the players.
Ballestero and Forde were greeted by hugs from teammates when the duo left the floor in the fourth quarter.
Idaho celebrated a 107-60 victory when the final buzzer sounded.
When asked about her fondest memories, Salvatore said the team’s appearance in back-to back NCAA tournaments was her greatest memory. The senior also said she remembers her early days as a roommate with both Forde and Ballestero in the university dorms.
“You don’t really get a chance to look back on it,” Salvatore said. “But now that it’s senior night, it’s nice to sit back and remember.”
Brandon Hill can be reached at [email protected]