Welcoming the Newcomer to the Lady Cats

You have probably noticed the new starter in the Bobcat lineup lately. The 6-foot junior Bethany Dow, can hardly go unnoticed on the court. Dow arrived to play basketball for the Madison girls, as the center, at the beginning of the school year. Dow is originally from Alberta, Canada, where she began playing basketball in the third grade. Averaging eight points, ten rebounds, and two blocks per game, there is no doubt that Dow is an important asset to the team. She has brought a whole new level to the team ever since coming to Madison. “I like the competition of playing on a better team,” said Dow, “and playing against better teams.”

Dow’s father was the one who encouraged and taught her to play basketball when she was a kid. Dow started out playing on club teams in Alberta, then became serious about it her freshman year. She began her varsity basketball career as a sophomore. Madison Head Coach, Traci Peterson, calls Dow “a blessing to the team” and tries to involve her in plays as much as possible.

A good game for Dow is when she takes good shots and plays good defense. However, she often struggles with being too strong with the ball. Also, to get better at the game of basketball, Dow is working on her mental toughness. With her height, there are not many people who can defend Dow, but occasionally, she goes up against someone who is her height and it always makes for a good game. Teammate, Kayeli Wasden said, “Her height is definitely an advantage to us.”

Underneath the basket is Dow’s strongest setting, because that is where some of her best work happens. With her quick feet, she is able to make quick moves to the hoop, and it makes it even harder to defend her. She is also the first one going in for the rebounds whenever anyone else shoots. Her willingness to get up and down the court is useful to her team, as well. With her long arms, it is a challenge for smaller point guards to go in for the layup without being swatted down. The fans just can’t get enough of her. Although, the junior does have a long road ahead of her as the Madison girls basketball team tries to finish their season on top. But, her senior year is what people are looking forward to.