The start of conference play could be seen as the dawning of some relief of sorts for both the women’s and men’s basketball teams at Vermilion Community College.
Non-conference play has been marked by brutal road trips, thousands of miles of travel and difficult competition for both Ironhawks teams, who begin their respective Northern Division slates Wednesday at Rainy River.
The Vermilion women survived a rugged November and December with a 7-7 record and have already topped last season’s overall win total of five, while the men have struggled but survived with a 2-12 mark.
Both teams have reason for optimism heading into the conference season.
Only defending champion Northland (8-3) has a better record than the Vermilion women, who have shown off considerable depth and look to be a contender for the division title.
Vermilion may have an emerging star in freshman Kye Clater, who came on strong in December and now averages 13 points and five rebounds per game.
Guards Trinity Bodie and Danita Gonzalez have also been solid, while six-footer Ayiria Greene averages eight points and seven rebounds per contest.
The Ironhawks are tuning up this weekend in a tournament at Fergus Falls.
On the men’s side, Vermilion returns to practice this week and gets started Wednesday against Rainy River (1-10).
While Vermilion is 2-12, no Northern Division team is over .500 and only Central Lakes (5-6) and Northland (4-6) have a better than .300 winning percentage.
The Ironhawks are gunning for a top-four spot in the division and a second consecutive playoff berth, and first-year head coach Matt Shonder has experimented with his lineup and a deep roster during the non-conference grind.
An impressive win over perennial powerhouse Rochester was a highlight for the Ironhawks, who have been led by sophomores Mudia Gbowa (9.9 points, 4.7 rebounds per game) and NaTorrius Truitt (9.6 points per game).
Both Vermilion teams have their first home division contests on Jan. 10, against Northland.
