By Mitch Bach

Bittersweet for Werre entering final season with Rattlers

Oct 20, 2017 | 4:30 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — When the Medicine Hat College Rattlers open a new ACAC basketball campaign Friday night, it’ll be the last season opener featuring Kennedy Werre in the lineup.

One day later, she’ll lead her team into the Snake Pit in her last home opener, hosting their rivals, the Lethbridge College Kodiaks.

But Werre isn’t headlining her farewell tour as a ‘year of lasts’. Rather, she’s soaking up four years of memories and peacefully leaving the rest on the court.

“There are lots of emotions, every day it kind of changes,” said Werre, entering the season as one of three captains for the women’s team. “Every step gets a little bit harder.

“It’s sad, but I’m really excited for it to start.”

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Werre has more than solidified her place in Rattlers lore. The education student was named an ACAC First Team All-Conference player after helping the Rattlers to a fourth place finish in the ACAC’s South Conference last season. 

More impressively, she was the only player in the South to average a double-double per game (15.5 points, 11.6 rebounds). The Rattlers lost out in their quest for a podium finish after a heartbreaking trip through the ACAC Championship in Lethbridge.

This season, she’s raising the bar higher. Werre spent the summer training and practicing with assistant coach Rob Grisonich, along with a heavy slate of individual training. This drive and determination is something she’s seen in her teammates since practices revved into high gear at the beginning of September.

“I definitely think so,” she answered when asked if this years Rattlers team has what it takes to reach the National Championship. “The mindset is totally different this year. We are doing the workouts, we’re all committed to our school, and we’re sticking together too.”

Head coach Clayton Nielsen is entering his second season at the helm, and says he’ll be utilizing Werre’s ability slightly differently this year.

“We’ve asked her to change a little bit this year, she’s going to play more on the wing than the post,” he said. “It gives us a couple looks that are different than last year which I think will help us.”

In six exhibition games against other ACAC opponents, the Rattlers lost just once — 77-65 to the very team they open the regular season against, the St. Mary’s Lightning. Nielsen says Werre played roughly eight minutes at the post in those six games combined, and still put up double-digit rebound numbers.

“She played really well on the wing,” added Nielsen. “There wasn’t much difference really.”

Instinctively a leader, Werre is more than open to the adjustment, saying she’s excited to challenge herself at a different aspect of the game.

“I’ve honestly always dreamed of playing on the wing spot,” added Werre. “I’ve always loved shooting three’s, even though I don’t do it as much, but this year I’ve trained really hard to do that.”

The Rattlers home opener is set for Saturday at 6:00pm, hosting the Lethbridge College Kodiaks.

Come tip off, Werre’s message to the team is simple.

“We’ve just got to work together, leave it all on the floor, and that’s about it.”