NAMPA, Idaho – If you've been to a Northwest Nazarene women's basketball game this season, chances are you've seen Zoe Wessels' signature towel whip.

Or Maya Rodgers throwing the 3-pointer signal in the air. Or Sierra Snyder jumping up and down and Elisa Kooiman dancing. Or injured star Ellie Logan yelling out instructions.

NNU's bench is one of the biggest reasons the Nighthawks find themselves with the No. 1 seed at the Great Northwest Athletic Conference tournament this weekend.

This group of 10 has outscored their opponents in every game this season. They have provided countless scouting reports for the starters. And they consistently are helping the players on the court, whether by cheering or by offering up pointers.

"Depending on a team's culture a lot of times people who don't get a lot of minutes, it can be a time for them to think of the what ifs," Avery Albrecht said. "As far as our team, there is no one who brings more energy than the ones getting few minutes.

"They make huge contributions with their energy and loudness they bring on the bench."

Wessels is certainly the leader of the cheering section on the bench. She can often be seen jumping up and down, yelling and doing anything she can to bring energy to her teammates.

"I love that role. I take pride in that role," she said. "We do a lot of towel whipping, dancing to try and keep people loose, and have fun."

It's not all about fun and games, though. Wessels, who has been a key contributor at times this season with her rebounding, also knows the scouting report and offers pointers to her teammates.

"When I come out of games, Zoe tells me things she sees that I could use," said Lexi Tubbs, NNU's leading scorer. "There is always talk on the bench about what is going on on the court. I think that is huge that we have that flow of communication. They are key players as much as we are on the court at any time."

The Nighthawks (22-3) face the winner of Thursday's Central Washington vs. Montana State Billings game at 7:15 p.m. MST on Friday at Alaska Anchorage in the semifinals.

Some of the Nighthawks' most important players start their games on the bench, but that isn't because of a lack of skill but more because of matchups and the ability to create a strong second unit.

Danielle Jardine is the team's second-leading scorer and was named second team all-conference, Carly Parker is a jack-of-all-trades type player and Marina Valles, before she was injured, was one of the team's best shot creators.

"It doesn't bother me if I'm on the bench or not," Jardine said. "I love cheering on the starters and coming in and doing my job like I'm supposed to. You just come out with the same energy."

Parker started a few games last season but has not this season. She said she's not worried about that, though.

"I just want to do my best any time I get on the court," she said. "When we are on the bench cheering for each other and seeing each other do good is fun. I think the energy from the bench leads to the game. You take it with you onto the court."

All of those things have added up to a cohesiveness in this group of players that transcends basketball. Nearly every player asked about what makes the bench so good this year brought up how much they love each other and genuinely want to see each other succeed.

"I think this year we are more like a family," Valles said. "We really love each other, and it shows. If someone else scores, we are all happy about it."

And there has been a lot to be happy about this season.