 We're a little over halfway through the college basketball season and one local team is quietly putting together a nice year. Clayton Castle has more on the Central Lakes women's college basketball team. We have a lot more girls than last year. Last year we were six to seven on a good day and this year we're about 10 so it's nice that we have enough to scrimmage each other. 2016-17 was a rough season for the Central Lakes College women's basketball team in terms of depth and numbers. Most games only six would dress due to injuries or other adverse situations but this year the Raiders not only have the depth and the numbers to back up it's 11 and 4 start but it also has the team chemistry both on and off the court. It's how well we bond and we just all get along so we I think we play for each other more than we do. I mean we all love the sport obviously but we all love being with each other and we push each other to be better. It's a lot more fun because we do get along and we do bond with each other like we're a pretty tight knit team to where this is the closest I've been with my teammates. I wasn't close to my teammates like this in high school so I mean it's pretty special with these group of girls. On the court the team knows how to score points averaging 71.9 points 40 rebounds and 17 assists per game. On the stat sheet though you'll notice that the strength of the offense is not one particular player. Offense is pretty good like we are a pretty deep team we have shooters we have drivers we have us sisters we have posts that like strong posts that can just go up and make everything look easy so it's it's fun. If the Raiders want to make a run in March however the team will need to improve an already stout defense as the saying goes defense wins championships. It's on the defense of end of the floor and this team is showing they can really play defense and and again it's something that can come and go you've got to really be ready to work at it every day. The Raiders have a big weekend coming up as they face Rainy River and Hibbing Community Colleges reporting in Brainer Clayton Castle Lakeland News. Thanks Clayton as he said Rainy River Friday night 5 30 then Hibbing Saturday afternoon at one. If you enjoyed this segment of Lakeland News please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to Lakeland PBS.