By her own admission, Brittany Stedman is more comfortable at Northwood University than she was when she first arrived in the fall of 2003.
However, the Brandon High School graduate, 19, who just completed her sophomore year on Northwood’s women’s basketball team, still has more goals in sight for the future.
The Timberwolves? season ended Feb. 24, when they upset nationally ranked Lake Superior State 79-77. Northwood, based in Midland, finished with an overall record of 9-18 and a record of 5-13 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, good for sixth place in the league.
However, the season was not without highlights for the Timberwolves. Along with the Lake Superior State win, the Timberwolves upset another nationally ranked squad when they defeated Hillsdale, then ranked 15th in the country, by a 53-46 score in a Jan. 20 contest.
Stedman, a 6?1? center, averaged 4.5 points per game and 3.5 rebounds per game in 25 games played for the Timberwolves this year. She averaged 19.2 minutes per game.
Northwood was in its first year under coach Jeff Curtis, who replaced Kelli Parker, who resigned last summer. Stedman said the team came together once they got used to Curtis? philosophy.
‘They pretty much have different coaching styles,? Stedman said. ‘They have different offenses, different styles, and different points of emphasis. Both emphasized defense, but since he had a new style of defense, it took some time to adjust. He brought the team together and helped everyone understand what their roles are.?
Stedman also said her sophomore year led to many changes for the better for her as an individual.
‘I definitely think I’ve had more of a positive experience this year,? she said. ? I’m more aware of what needs to be done on the court.?
One of the ironic aspects of Stedman being a part of Northwood’s program is the fact she is now teammates with two players that were her frequent opponents during her high school years ? junior Payge Salquist, an Oxford native, and sophomore Anna Trim, a Clarkston native.
Stedman said that part of being on the team took some adjustment, but the three now frequently hang out together off the court.
‘At first, when I came here, they were big rivals, but now they’re two of my best friends and we can talk about certain things we have in common,? she said.
Stedman, who is majoring in accounting at Northwood, said although she is more comfortable on the court, there is still plenty for her to work on during the offseason.
‘I feel my defense is where it needs to be, but I feel I need to work on my offensive game, as well as my quickness and overall confidence, in order to become a more complete player,? she said.