Hansen’s 44-point game highlights weekend

After leading the state of Colorado in scoring as a high school senior last season, it took Trapper freshman Chris Hansen just one week to make an exclamation point debut as a collegiate freshman. Hansen tallied 84 points over a three-game stretch to help Northwest College begin its season 3-0.

Included in that stellar week was a 44-point outing on Friday against Lake Region.

“That’s why we recruited him,” said Northwest College head coach Andy Ward. “He does a lot of things well, but the one thing he can do exceptionally well is score with the ball.”

Hansen finished with 17 points as Northwest College began its year with a 100-56 rout of the Rocky Mountain JV team. He followed that with his 44-point outing against Lake Region as the Trappers won 97-83 in a foul-filled Friday contest and wrapped up his first week of action with 23 points against Williston.

The Trappers won that game by a 79-69 margin.

“Overall, I thought we got really good play from a lot of guys,” Ward said of his team’s 3-0 start. “Junior Coleman really stepped in and impacted the game late against Williston. Jeffrey Solarin had a double-double in that game and just missed another against Lake Region.”

And the best could be yet to come, according to Ward.

“We saw a lot of zone defense this week, and that bothered us because we really haven’t practiced against it,” Ward said. “I really don’t think its something we’ll see that much of as the year goes on. Initially, we had a tendency to settle for perimeter shots rather than looking to penetrate and kick the ball or attack the rim.”

The Trappers coach also noted his team gave up far too many offensive rebounds.

“That was pretty much a common theme through the week,” Ward said. “We gave up way too many.”

Coleman led the Trappers in scoring with 22 points as the squad easily dispatched Rocky Mountain JV to begin the year at Cabre Gym. Solarin added 21 more points as NWC grabbed a 50-19 halftime lead and cruised through the second half.

On Friday, Hansen’s 44 stood out in a game that saw the teams combine to shoot 77 free throws.

“It seemed like every trip down the floor there was a foul called,” Ward said.

Solarin was the only other double-figure scorer in the game, finishing with 17 ponts and nine rebounds.

To close out the weekend, the Trappers had double-figure performances by four players against Williston. In addition to Hansen’s team-best 23, Northwest got 16 from Coleman, 15 from Solarin and 10 from Konner Frey.

The team travels to Sterling, Colo., this weekend. The Trappers will take on Northeastern on Friday before taking to the court against Dodge City on Saturday.

“Hopefully, we can follow up with two more wins,” said Ward.

NWC 100, Rocky JV 56

Solarin 21, Coleman 22, Frey 5, Hansen 17, Pasos 1, Ackelson 9, Stanley 6, de Oliveria 3, Gonsalez 2, Wakelin 4, Beehler 10.

NWC 97, Lake Region 83

Solarin 17, Coleman 9, Frey 8, Hansen 44, Pasos 2, Ackelson 6, Stanley 3, de Oliveria 2, de Andrade 6.

NWC 79, Williston 69

Solarin 15, Coleman 16, Frey 10, Hansen 23, Pasos 5, Stanley 6, de Andrade 4.