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By David Boyce

MARYVILLE, Mo. - All it takes is a minute of any game to see that Northwest Missouri State freshman starting point guard Jaelyn Haggard enjoys playing basketball.
 
Haggard's facial expression is a mix of smiles and determination as she dribbles the ball and gets the Bearcats in their offense. She leads Northwest in assists with 38 and ranks second in scoring with a 12.6 average.
 
"You can tell she is continuing to play with added confidence," Northwest coach Buck Scheel said. "She had the confidence right from the start that usually you don't get from freshmen until later in the year or into their sophomore year.
 
"She had confidence right from the start, which has increased as the season has progressed."
 
Haggard might have a little more pep in her step when Northwest returns to action 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Bearcat Arena. Northwest takes on rival Missouri Western. Haggard grew up in St. Joseph and earned all-city, all-district and all-conference honors playing at St. Joseph Central.
 
"It is definitely exciting to play them just to see people from home and from here to come and watch," Haggard said. "At the same time, we are here to play."
 
The Bearcats view the next couple of weeks as a great opportunity to get a few conference wins and move up the MIAA standings. Missouri Western rides into the contest on a six-game losing streak.
 
Although Northwest has fallen just short in recent games, the Bearcats have played much better since Christmas break. They were in position to get wins in three of their last four games. They led most of the game against Southwest Baptist, and last week at Nebraska-Kearney, it took to Lopers double overtime to defeat Northwest.
 
In addition to facing Missouri Western, the Bearcats will follow with home games against Lincoln and Lindenwood. Northwest, Lincoln and Lindenwood are all battling for the final spot in the MIAA Tournament.
 
"I think this home stretch is what we need right now, especially after the last stretch of four games in seven days with a young team and the last two games on the road," Scheel said.
 
"I feel it is right there. We are in a situation where the game isn't forgiving. You have to earn every win in this conference. For us to do that, we have to be better than what we were in previous games and continue to be more consistent."
 
Haggard is one reason the Bearcats remain optimistic. She brings a will-to-win to the court every game, even when things are not going well. She sees the same attitude from her teammates.
 
"We talked about it the past couple of weeks that we have had our best four or five games that we have had all season," Haggard said. "Our practices have been great. I can see the wins coming. We have been working hard together. We have had a different mindset the second semester.
 
"People look at our record and kind of underestimate us a bit but they look at us on the floor and realize we do have the talent to win games. I think that will come soon."
 
Haggard and the other freshmen like Mallory McConkey, Kylie Coleman and Zoie Howard are gaining valuable experience this season that will help them and the program in the future.
 
"The biggest thing for her is gaining that on-court experience and continuing to learn, both the good and the bad that come with running the point at this level and in this conference," Scheel said.
 
"You can only emulate so much in practice. I feel her along with the other freshmen, who are seeing significant minutes, are really gaining that on-court experience to go along with practice.
 
Haggard said she has learned plenty in her first season.
 
"I have a great team and the coaching staff is awesome," she said. "They have helped a lot getting me prepared and feel confident on the floor when I start to question myself. They have been there for me since the beginning of the season to now.  It will be exciting next year just to have some experience under my belt."
 
Enthusiasm to play basketball will be an element that Haggard will always have in abundance.
 
"I have grown up around basketball ever since I was little," Haggard said. "It is something my family always loved. I fell in love with it at a young age. I never take a day for granted. At the Division II level, it is fun to compete every day. I take advantage of the opportunity to play and have fun because of the love of the game I have.
 
"My family is incredibly supportive. I couldn't ask for a better group of people to have in my corner. To be able to play 45 minutes from home and to look up in the stands and see my whole family there to back me is really awesome."