Butler unveils challenging 2011-12 schedule

EL DORADO – Coming off its first 20 win season during Head Coach Mike Helmer's tenure, the Butler Community College women's basketball program has released its 2011-12 schedule, which includes a challenging slate of non-conference and conference action.

This will be one of the toughest non-conference schedules assembled by Helmer, who is entering his fourth season at the helm of the Grizzlies program. The non-conference slate is highlighted by trips to Iowa Western Community College for a couple of weekend classics and two games against Independence Community College.

Last Season the Grizzlies posted a 12-3 record while in the friendly confines of the Power Plant, a mark that Helmer is excited about. "We are blessed to have such great fan support. The support has grown every year I have been here and they play a huge role in success our teams have."

Butler fans will get a chance to get the Power Plant rocking right away as the 2011-12 Grizzlies open their season with a four-game home stand that includes a marquee match up with in-state Jayhawk East Conference power Independence Community College on Nov, 8.

On Nov. 18 the Grizzlies head to Council Bluffs, Iowa for the first of two classic trips to Iowa Western. In the first classic the Grizzlies will play Neosho County on Friday night and then Northeast Nebraska on Saturday.

"As always we have to come to play every night," said Head Coach Mike Helmer. "We play in the toughest conference in the nation. I believe this non-conference schedule will prepare our young kids for the conference battles we will face."

Hastings and SE Australia will pose the final non conference challenges before the semester break. Both those games will be played at Iowa Western. The Grizzlies play 13 games in all before they break for the end of the first semester.

The Grizzlies open up second half of their schedule on Jan. 4 as they host Garden City in the Power Plant to mark the first game of conference play. The conference schedule consists of eight home games in which the Grizzlies will play the likes of Hutchinson, Seward, Garden City, Cloud, Colby, Dodge City, Pratt and Barton.