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Posting Up - Scoreboard - Top 25 - Features - Notables - Team of the Week - Live Audio |
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A look at the upcoming season 1999-2000 season |
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Gettysburg Eleventh-year head coach Mike Kirkpatrick returns four starters and nine letterwinners from a squad that went 13-11 overall and 8-6 in the Centennial Conference's West division in 1998-99. Seven freshmen and sophomores could see significant minutes right from the start of the campaign. "I feel very comfortable with this team," said Kirkpatrick, who boasts a career record of 127-110 at Gettysburg. "They're a good group and I think we have enough talent to be very good. It might take us some time to gel, but if we continue to work hard and rebound, we will be competitive instantly." The Bullets' starting backcourt features a pair of sophomores who started every game during their freshman seasons. Mandy Wilson (McClure, Pa./Indian Valley) will start at the point guard position. An excellent athlete and a strong defender, Wilson averaged a team-best 2.0 assists per game last season and was fourth on the squad in scoring with 7.0 points and 4.0 rebounds per game. She also led the team with 67 steals. Fellow sophomore Steph Drevna (Lancaster, Pa./Lancaster Catholic) returns at the shooting guard spot after leading the Bullets in scoring a year ago with 11.1 points per game and hitting a team-high 22 three-pointers. "Mandy is a very team-oriented player. We look to her to push the ball up the floor hard and put pressure on the opposition's point guard," said Kirkpatrick. "Steph has the ability to break people down off the dribble and to jump-shoot over guards with her size." Backing up at the point guard position will be sophomore Jen Nolan (Germantown, Md./Seneca Valley), who appeared in 22 games last season. Sophomore Kelsey Williams (Wanamie, Pa./Greater Nanticoke), who could be the first sub off of Kirkpatrick's bench, will back up Drevna at the two-guard spot. Williams appeared in all 24 games last season, including two starts, and averaged 3.5 points and 1.4 rebounds per game. Junior Sarah Payne (Dallastown, Pa./Dallastown) will also see time at the shooting guard spot after playing in 14 games for the Bullets a year ago. In the frontcourt, two-year starter Megan McDonald (West Lawn, Pa./Holy Name) brings her size and passing skills to the small forward position. The 6-0 senior, whose height makes her an asset in Gettysburg's full-court pressing defense, averaged 6.4 points and 4.1 rebounds in 22 games last year. Fellow senior and three-year letterwinner Carrie Kulp (New Holland, Pa./Conestoga Valley) starts at the power forward position. She averaged 8.2 points and 4.7 rebounds per game in 1998-99. "Megan does a lot of things well, but the biggest thing she does is play at the front of our press, deflecting balls and causing problems," said Kirkpatrick. "Carrie has 'four-point range' and she'll have the green light to shoot it. She adds a veteran calmness to our attack and she plays within herself which is important to our team." Sophomore Katie Havens (Scottsdale, Az./Wissahickon, Pa.) will back up McDonald at the small forward spot after averaging 2.6 points and 2.0 rebounds per game in 13 games last season. Six-foot-one freshman Jay Hodge (Silver Spring, Md./St. Vincent Pallotti) will add muscle and rebounding depth behind Kulp at the power forward position. Fellow newcomer Colleen Bruce (Fridley, Minn./Fridley) will also vie for time in the Gettysburg frontcourt. Three-year letterwinner Jamie Dawson (Doylestown, Pa./Central Bucks East) will take over at the center position. Dawson appeared in 16 games last season, averaging 2.8 points and 2.4 rebounds per contest. Six-foot-one freshman Cory Dallas (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cumberland Valley) will back up Dawson at the center spot. Kirkpatrick's squad will again play an up-tempo game on both sides of the ball. "I'm not saying we're just going to fire it up there, but I believe that if you're open, then shoot it," he said. "On defense, we'll press and play full-court man-to-man defense most of the time." Kirkpatrick stressed the need for a strong conference start, especially for such a young squad. "We have four key conference games before the mid-year break. Being 3-1 or 4-0 in those games would give us the attitude that we know we can be successful, which is what freshman and sophomores need sometimes," he said. "Johns Hopkins is probably the team to beat because they return most of their players and they went so far last year, but we were competitive with them last year and I expect the same this year."
Gwynedd-Mercy "I know that sounds unrealistic to most schools," Mondillo continued. "But isn't that why we compete? We're not just trying to make the playoffs and win the conference. We tell our players when they come in that they are a piece of the puzzle for an NCAA championship." And what a puzzle Mondillo is building at Gwynedd-Mercy. The Griffins return all five starters and nine players from a squad that went undefeated during the regular season in the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference (PAC). During the offseason, Mondillo went out and added depth to an already powerful lineup. A lineup that last season saw eight players average over 15 minutes a game. The first piece of the puzzle is returning PAC Player of the Year, 6'0 center Michelle Costa (Philadelphia/Hallahan). A three-time first-team All-PAC selection, Costa averaged 16.1 ppg and 7.3 rpg last season while leading the Griffins to their second consecutive PAC championship game appearance. Costa enters the season 433 points shy of becoming the first player in the College's history to reach the 2,000 point plateau. She is averaging 19.8 ppg throughout her career and has pulled down 728 rebounds and recorded 228 blocks. For the Griffins to make a return trip to the NCAA's they will need their "heart and soul" to continue to set the tone on and off the floor. Mondillo is counting on Costa to teach the underclassmen what it takes to win. Joining Costa in the frontcourt is returning 6'0 senior Rachel Pearson (Holland/Council Rock). Pearson averaged 11.7 ppg from the small forward position in 98-99 and earned honorable mention for the all-conference team. Mondillo believes Pearson is pivotal to his team's success in the upcoming campaign. "She's the key," Mondillo said. "For us to beat the top teams in the region she needs to play the same from the start of the season to the finish. She needs to be consistent." Rounding out the starters up front is 5'11 sophomore Danielle Tepper (Philadelphia/Archbishop Ryan). Tepper stepped into the starting lineup when Wendy Sladek went down with a torn anterior cruciate ligament against Cabrini on December 14 and never came out. Tepper averaged a team-high 8.1 rebounds per game and solidified the Griffins post play. The coaching staff will look to her to continue her dominant play in the paint and to step up offensively. Off the bench, Mondillo will call on a pair of returning players to give the Griffins a lift in the frontcourt in junior April Tadley (Philadelphia/Cardinal Dougherty) and sophomore Amanda Sutcliffe (Morrisville/Morrisville). Tadley came back from a torn anterior cruciate ligament last season and enters this year in better shape than her previous two. "If she can come back as she was as a freshman she will help this team," Mondillo said. Sutcliffe improved by leaps and bounds last season and will be looked upon to be an aggressive force this season. Three freshmen complete the Griffins' frontcourt puzzle. Six-foot Tara Townsend (Bristol/Conwell-Egan), 5'10 Sharon Organ (Philadelphia/West Catholic) and 6'1 Stephanie Hinkle (Deptford, NJ/Deptford). Townsend, who was named second-team All-Catholic in 1997-98 and 1998-99, can play both forward and center and has a really good feel for the game and an excellent touch from 15 feet out. Organ and Hinkle are both walk-ons who the coaching staff hopes can come in and contribute. In the backcourt, Mondillo will look once again to sophomore Gina Maieron (Upper Darby/Archbishop Prendergast) and junior Katie Murray (Philadelphia/Cardinal Dougherty). Maieron turned in an impressive rookie campaign as she was named second-team All-PAC after being ranked among the nation's leaders with 5.3 assists per game. What does not show up on paper is how Maieron stepped in as a freshman last season to earn the respect of the upperclassman and become the team's quarterback on the floor. She will need to continue to be the Griffins' leader on the floor if they are to challenge for another NCAA berth. Murray received honorable mention for the all-conference team for the second-straight season after posting 8.7 ppg and 7.0 rpg at the two-guard position. Murray's numbers could probably be better if she did not sacrifice her offensive game to shut down the opposition's top players, a fact not lost on the coaching staff. First off the bench will be returning sophomore's Faye Miller (Philadelphia/Little Flower) and Mary Ann Wade (Hatboro/Hatboro-Horsham). Miller's play improved as her confidence grew throughout her rookie season and the coaching staff needs her to pick right up where she left off for the Griffins to be successful in the backcourt. Wade probably hit the most important baskets in the program's history last season when she nailed three "treys" and 13 points in the second half of the Griffins' tournament win against Susquehanna. And that was nothing new for the 5'8 swing player who averaged 10.8 ppg off the bench as a freshman. Mondillo will look for the same out of Wade this year and is also asking her to step it up on the defensive end of the floor. Freshmen Alexa Hazinsky (Drexel Hill/Archbishop Prendergast) and Colleen Carr (Philadelphia/Kennedy-Kenrick) complete the Griffins 1999-2000 puzzle. Both players will have an opportunity to contribute right away. Hazinsky handles the ball well and understands how the game is played and has impressed the coaching staff with her on-court savvy. "Alexa sees the floor well and makes all the right reads," Mondillo said. Carr, who was named second-team All-Catholic last season, will be looked upon to use her speed and quickness to supply the Griffins with some defense as she will play a pivotal role in their press. Mondillo believes that their improved schedule (King's, Delaware Valley, William Paterson, West Chester) will help prepare his squad for tournament play, but he also knows the road back to the NCAA's will not be an easy one. After falling in the championship game twice in the last two seasons, it will be difficult to get back there again, however, that's what excites Mondillo. "It's tough enough to get there once, but to lose twice," Mondillo said. "I don't know if it's a weakness, but it's a challenge. We are 0-2 in the championship game, we haven't won anything yet. There's no reason for us to be complacent or cocky. Every night we step out on the floor, teams will be coming out with their "A" game. We need to take it one game at a time. We can't be thinking about the championship in February when we are playing in December." "Our first step is to win the PAC championship, in order to do that we have to qualify for the playoffs and make it to the championship. The bottom line is we don't want to rely on the committee this year to award us an at-large bid. We want our fate to be determined on the night of the conference championship."
Johns Hopkins The Blue Jays return 12 letter-winners and four starters, including the three top scorers, to head coach Nancy Blank's lineup. JHU will need to replace spirited team leader Jen Deadrick and floor leader Joy Vaccaro. Team co-captains last season, Deadrick and Vaccaro provided invaluable leadership and enthusiasm and Blank will look for younger players to fill the void. Blank is excited about this team's preseason camaraderie. "We seem to have developed an early cohesive team spirit. The group is strongly committed to their common goals and their work ethic has been remarkable. They understand how and what they have to do to help us achieve the goals we have set." For the Blue jays to repeat as Centennial champions and improve on last season's 23-5 record, they must improve in several areas. "Our bench is a big key this season. We like to pressure the ball and we need depth at the guard spots in order to maintain this defensive style throughout a long season. We will be looking for our freshmen to see significant minutes and contribute at both ends of the floor." Another key to success this season will be the team’s consistency on defense and the ability to capitalize on turnovers. "We must become more consistent in our overall team defense and play with the same intensity and passion the entire game," Blank added. "We have to become more efficient in capitalizing on our opponent's mistakes. Last season, we let too many chances slip away." The Blue Jays will look to get out on the break and force an up-tempo game. "We have several versatile athletes on this team who can play one or two positions interchangeably. We plan to utilize these talents and get out on the break early," Blank stated. The Blue Jays will be led by the returning Centennial Conference Player of the Year in Leslie Ritter (Fort Washington, MD/Oxon Hill). A senior co-captain, Ritter will be the floor leader this season, a role that she is very accustomed to playing. Last season, Ritter led the team in minutes (1,044), points per game (15.9), assists (121), and steals (100). She is one of the most consistent scorers in the nation, scoring in double-figures in all but two games last season. One of the best athletes in the history of the women's basketball program at Hopkins, Ritter uses her speed and quickness to get to the basket. Her ability to beat most defenders one-on-one also leads to open shots for her teammates. With JHU's up-tempo and pressing style defense, Blank will utilize a three-guard set this season. Among those joining Ritter in the backcourt will be senior co-captain Katie Fitzgerald (Rochester, N.Y./Our Lady of Mercy). Fitzgerald will see most of her time at the shooting-guard spot, but could slide over to point guard at times. Fitzgerald is coming off a season in which she led the team in 3-pointers made (52), ranked second in assists (45) and steals (52), and third in points per game (8.9). A dependable shooter with good outside range, Fitzgerald will be counted on to provide the Blue Jays with a threat from beyond the arc. Sophomore Heidi Sumser (Gettysburg, Pa./Gettysburg), considered the most versatile player on the team, can effectively play three positions on the floor. She will compete for a starting position as the third guard and gives the Blue Jays a player who can defend all five positions. She will be counted on to provide JHU with another scoring threat both on the fast break and in the half-court set after averaging 3.4 points and 3.2 rebounds last season. Junior Chrissy Mack (Niceville, Fla./Niceville) and sophomores Michelle Kincaid (Ellicott City, Md./Centennial) and Sandrine Guez (Boca Raton, Fla./Pine Crest School) will provide depth at the three guard positions. Mack, a leader on the court with her fearless play, determination, and hard work, will be looking to make more of a contribution off the bench with her defensive intensity. Kincaid, a walk-on last season, saw quality minutes at point guard, playing in 22 of 28 games. She is an intelligent ball-handler who gives the coaching staff an experienced backup at the point. Guez is another hardworker who will continue to develop her skills and look to contribute to the team's success as an emotional leader. Two newcomers this season are freshmen Lauren Martin (Columbia, Md./Glenelg) and Ashley Shepler (Charleston, W.Va./Charleston Catholic). Both players enjoyed standout careers in high school, scoring over 2,500 combined points. Martin is a highly-touted shooter who will push the starting guards for minutes at the two and three positions. Shepler is an aggressive point guard who will fight for time as the backup at the position. The Blue Jays' frontcourt will be anchored by senior Marjahna Segers (Hempstead, N.Y./Long Island Lutheran). As a junior, Segers was second on the team in scoring (11.2 ppg) and first in field goal percentage (46.1%), rebounding (10.2 rpg), and blocks (20). This season, she will be looked upon to pick up where she left off last season, controlling the paint with her rebounding and defense. The team’s best post player, Segers possesses superb power moves and is extremely strong with her back to the basket. She posted nine double-doubles last season and, with the combination of her strength, size, and soft touch in the middle, will be a key part of the offense this season. A Second Team All-Centennial and UAA selection last year, Segers is hardly one-dimensional. Her soft touch enables her to step outside and nail the mid-range jump shot on a consistent basis. Several players are competing for the other starting spot in the frontcourt. The leading candidate to team with Segers is junior Molly Malloy (Scranton, Pa./Scranton Prep). Last season, Malloy finished second on the team in rebounding (5.0/game) and fifth in scoring (5.4). She was one of the first players off the bench and came into her own at the end of the season, averaging 8.6 points and 8.8 rebounds over the last eight games. Malloy's strength in the paint and shooting range on the outside often creates matchup problems for the opposition. She runs the floor very well for an inside player and has the size and strength to post up on the block. One of the most experienced players returning for the Blue Jays is senior Kelly Hamilton (Glendora, N.J./Bishop Eustace). She has been a key member of three NCAA Tournament teams in her first three seasons at JHU. Last season, Hamilton started 23 of 28 games, averaging 3.6 points and 3.9 rebounds as the team's third-leading rebounder. Her aggressive defense and tenacious rebounding will be a great asset, as the Blue Jays will be looking for Hamilton to provide quality minutes at small forward. Three other players return in the frontcourt. All three played valuable minutes for the Blue Jays last season and should provide the coaching staff with plenty of options. Junior Erin Perry (Verona, Va./Wilson Memorial) ranked second on the team in blocks last season and will be one of the key reserves for the Blue Jays this year. She is a strong, physical player down low who improved her finishing skills last season and will look to provide relief for Segers. Sophomore Jen Butterwei (Arnold, Md./Archbishop Spalding) played in 25 games last season and showed flashes of brilliance. She has the ability to take her opponent off the dribble and knock down perimeter jumpers. Butterwei will look to build on last season's success and make an impact off the bench for Blue Jays. Junior Folorunsho Edobar-Osula (Queens, N.Y./William Cullen Bryant) brings a great deal of athleticism to the frontcourt and will fight for more extensive playing time. She runs the floor like a guard and controls the glass with her leaping ability. A newcomer to the frontcourt will be freshman Jennifer Dearborn (Farmington, Conn./Farmington). Dearborn scored over 1,000 points in high school and should provide an additional scoring threat. She will challenge the upperclassmen for minutes in the frontcourt and occasionally at the three spot. She is a versatile player who can bang inside and keep up with the quicker frontcourt players. Her hard-working mentality should help her make an immediate impact when called upon this season. With a talented group of newcomers teaming up with a veteran group of returning players, the Blue Jays should contend for another Centennial Championship and a sixth consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament. If the team comes together early, they could make a run in the postseason. Lebanon Valley Roos (Pottsville, Pa./Pottsville), Ritzman (Mifflintown, Pa./Juniata) and Ruhl (Fredericksburg, Pa./Northern Lebanon) are all seniors class-wise though Ruhl still has an additional year of eligibility remaining. Roos, a 5-8 guard, was the Dutchwomen's top scorer last season with 265 total points. Her 11 points per game average is the 10th highest single-season total for a LVC women's basketball player since records have been maintained. In fact, the Roos name can be found throughout the Dutchwomen record book. On the individual career list, Roos is already among the top ten in six categories. She is 2nd in three-point field goals made (111) and three-point field goals attempted (347), 3rd in three-point field goal percentage (32.0%), 4th in assists (162), 6th in minutes played (2,052) and 9th in free throw percentage (59.1%). Roos needs just three treys to break the school record in that category and needs just five points to move into the 10th spot on LVC's all-time scoring list (723 career points). Ritzman, a 5-10 forward, can also score. In 22 starts last winter she averaged 6.7 points per game and just over three rebounds per game. Ruhl, a 5-4 guard, is a strong ball handler who was 4th on the team in assists (38) in 98-99. She also scored 101 points, pulled down 50 rebounds and recorded 26 steals. The team's junior corps of Anthony (Denver, Pa./Cocalico), Zimmerman (Sinking Spring, Pa./Wilson), Yeiser (Richland, Pa./ELCO) and Dez Nemec (Fredericksburg, Pa./Northern Lebanon) is strong and experienced. Like Roos, the names of Zimmerman, a 5-6 guard, and Anthony, a 5-8 guard, can be found scattered throughout the record book. With just two seasons under her wings, Zimmerman is among the top ten all-time leaders in four categories. She is 6th in three-point field goals made (52) and is 7th in both three-point field goal attempts (154) and career assists (109). To date, Zimmerman is 2nd in three-point field goal percentage (33.8%). Anthony is among the top ten in career assists (68) and career blocks (17). She is also tied with Zimmerman for the 5th highest single-season steal total (60). Yeiser, a 5-9-guard/forward, and Nemec, a 5-3 guard, each saw increased playing time last winter. It was Yeiser's first season on the basketball team and she made the most of it recording 91 rebounds (4th), 22 steals and 95 points. There are eight sophomores and six freshmen on the team. Of the sophomores, Jen Smolenski (Marlton, N.J./Cherokee), Rose Grasa (Steelton, Pa./Bishop McDevitt), Becca Kipp (Mifflintown, Pa./Juniata) and Stacy Reinhart (Pine Grove, Pa./Pine Grove) all played significant minutes in 1998-99. Reinhart averaged 10.6 points per game (106 points - 10 games) and Smolenski was tied for the team lead with 14 blocked shots. She also had 93 points and 51 rebounds. Other returning sophomores include Suzanne Becker (Bowie, Md./Seton Keogh), Chrissy Bennethum (Reading, Pa./Exeter), Andrea Cannon (Ashland, Pa./Cardinal Brennan) and Danielle Douty (Millersburg, Pa./Millersburg). The freshmen: 5-9 forward Christine Bigler (Columbia, Pa./Columbia), 5-8 guard Erica Gosart (Harrisburg, Pa./Central Dauphin), 5-3 guard Kelly Ogurcak (Schaefferstown, Pa./ELCO), 5-7 guard Carrie Stiger (Muncy, Pa./Muncy), 5-11 forward Stephanie Tighe (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cumberland Valley) and 5-8 guard Andrea Zawalick (Coal Township, Pa./Shamokin Area). Lycoming Ditzler enters her seventh season with that thought as the focus for her squad's new ampaign. "Our goal is to win the Freedom Conference because the champion gains an automatic berth in the NCAA tournament. I think that is going to be everybody's goal. It's not just reaching the playoffs anymore. Winning the league virtually means going undefeated," she said. "Last year, we were inexperienced. We were competitive in almost every game last season, and I want to keep doing that so we have the opportunity to win every game." Lycoming returns three starters and 11 total letterwinners from last year's 11-13 team. The Warrior program had posted five consecutive winning seasons and five straight trips to the postseason. Youth will still be prevalent on the 1999-2000 Warriors -- no seniors on the roster, but Ditzler thinks her team will be better equipped in the new campaign. "Even though we'll be younger than last year because the roster will be made up of mostly freshmen and sophomores, those sophomores do have a year of experience and I think that will be a difference. Our other key players also have a year of experience," Ditzler said. "We have a vocal leader in (junior point guard) Adrienne Wydra (Ashland, Pa./North Schuylkill H.S.), and (junior forward) Jenalynn Boos (Roseto, Pa./Pius X H.S.) leads on the floor because she works so hard. Plus, we have leadership potential in a lot of our younger kids as well," Ditzler said. Lycoming will need to replace leading scorer Jennifer Shuler at shooting guard, but Ditzler has a 1-2 punch at the point that might solve some of that problem. Wydra, the starter at point last year, returns for her second season with the Warriors after averaging 4.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game a year ago. She transferred to Lycoming from Susquehanna before last season. Sophomore Katie Santo (Scotch Plains, N.J./Union Catholic H.S.) is the other top returnee in the backcourt after an initial collegiate season that saw her play in all 24 games and provide 2.6 points and 1.0 rebounds per game. "Adrienne and Katie can do as good a job as any backcourt in running the show. Adrienne should benefit from the year of experience of playing here, and Katie will be even better with a year under her belt," Ditzler said. Sophomores Amy Lesko (Mountaintop, Pa./Crestwood H.S.) and Tara Stepanchick (Lavelle, Pa./ North Schuylkill H.S.), and freshman Kimberlee Frerichs (Conestoga, Pa./Penn Manor H.S.) will likely get the opportunity to fill the off-guard spot. Lesko played in 18 games for the Warriors last season and contributed 1.6 points and 1.0 boards per contest, while Stepanchick appeared in 21 contests and averaged 1.8 points and 1.3 rebounds a game. Frerichs topped Penn Manor High School in scoring with 12.0 points per game. She also led her team with 26 three-pointers and 72 assists. "Off-guard is a hole that had to be filled. Jennifer Shuler and Nicole Kimble filled it for us last year, but they graduated. We have a lot of potential scorers who I think are capable of playing," Ditzler said. "Kim and Amy are great shooters who can put points on the board. Tara will be an integral part of our success this year. She is a solid defensive player who knows the game." Sophomore guard/forward Megan Zimmerman (Mifflintown, Pa./Juniata H.S.) is expected to play the bulk of the time at the three, although she has the versatility to play the two, four, or five spot as well. She is the team's top returning scorer after averaging 9.9 points per game last year. She started 10 games and played in all 24, contributing 4.6 rebounds a contest. Sophomore Heather McElwain (McVeytown, Pa./Lewistown H.S.) will also be in the mix at a forward slot this season. She played in 20 games a year ago, averaging 1.3 points and 1.9 rebounds. Boos, who started 20 games last season, is expected to see time at either the four or five position. She contributed 7.9 points and 5.5 rebounds per game last year. Sophomore forward Laurie Scherer (Mahanoy City, Pa./Mahanoy Area H.S.) is another key returning veteran who will likely see time at the five. She started 10 times and played in 23 games last season, averaging 4.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game. Ditzler expects Scherer's offseason work in the weight room to help. Ditzler thinks freshman Lyndy LeVan (South Williamsport, Pa./South Williamsport H.S.) could play a major role for the Warriors this season. LeVan averaged 17.0 points and 8.0 rebounds per game during her high school career at South Williamsport. "Lyndy LeVan is somebody who will make a huge impact. She rebounds very well, runs the floor, and handles the ball. I look for her, even as a freshman, to carry some of the load," Ditzler said. Fellow freshman Angie Bohr (Montoursville, Pa./Montoursville H.S.) will also see time at forward. She was a three-year starter for Montoursville and helped her team reach the PIAA Class AAA championship game last season when she averaged 12.0 points and 13.0 rebounds per game. "Angie can be a dominant post player for us. She is physical, she rebounds well, and she has nice inside moves. She fits well into our half-court offenses," Ditzler said. Overall, Ditzler thinks her team will be faster and stronger than last year. "I think that improvement will help us. Offensively, we may struggle at times because of some of the inexperience. I want us to play a much more up-tempo style," she said. Susquehanna Thirteenth-year head coach Mark Hribar is sure to become just the second coach in Susquehanna history to win 200 games at the school, entering the year just one shy as the winningest coach in program history at 199-104 (.657). Hribar might have also added one of his most talented recruiting classes ever to the fold. Unfortunately for both coach and team, they will also experience life without graduated 1999 Jostens Trophy recipient and D3hoops.com Team of the Year First-Team forward Kristen Venne. A four-time MAC Commonwealth League All-Star and three-year All-American, Venne led the team in both scoring (21.4 ppg) and rebounding (9.4 per game) last season. She finished with 1,929 career points and 894 rebounds to rank second and third respectively in program history. Hribar’s task is to not only replace Venne’s productivity, but her leadership. The bulk of that will come from his three captains in center Karyn Kern (Brodheadsville/Pleasant Valley H.S.) and shooting guard Lisa Stack (Swoyersville/Wyoming Valley West H.S.), both seniors, and junior center Leslie Clementoni (Hughesville/Hughesville H.S.). "The three captains blend very well, and together they should provide the leadership we need," said Hribar. "As for replacing Kristen’s scoring, I think Karyn (Kern) will pick up some of the slack, although we’ll probably score more by committee this year." A first-team league All-Star last season after being a second-teamer in her first two years, the 6-2 Kern led Division III in field goal percentage last season while breaking the MAC single-season record at 65.0% (169 of 260). Also the team leader in blocked shots (1.8 per game) and steals (2.1 per game) -- ranking third in the MAC in blocks -- she was second on the team and fifth in the conference in scoring (15.7 ppg), ranking second on the squad in rebounding (8.6 per game). Kern is fourth all-time at Susquehanna in career rebounds (730) and sixth in scoring (1,227 points). Stack (5-7) played in 25 games last year, starting the first 18 at two-guard. She was fourth on the team in scoring (6.1 ppg) and led it in three-pointers (20 of 51, 39.2%). Also a 6-1 center, Clementoni (4.0 ppg, 3.2 rpg) played in 25 games last season, and was third on the team in field goal percentage (41 of 85, 48.2%). Expect Clementoni to possibly be teamed together in the front court with Kern and junior six-foot post player and returning letterwinner Mandy Horner (2.4 ppg. 1.3 rpg) (Spring Mills/Penns Valley Area H.S.). Also back is junior point guard Susan Trella (2.2 ppg) (Allentown/Allentown Central Catholic H.S.), who was one of two players to start all 27 games last season. She led the team and finished fourth in the MAC in assists with 120 (4.4 per game), tying for second on the team in steals with 47 (1.7 per game). She’ll be pushed by some talented freshmen. Junior wing Jen Antolick (2.9 ppg, 15-38, 39.5 3-PT%) (Bloomsburg/Central Columbia H.S.) also started the final eight games last season at off guard. Expect 5-10 sophomore Amy Harrington (4.0 ppg, 2.1 rpg) (Danville/Danville H.S.) to move into the other vacated starting position at small forward. Washington College Despite a difficult loss against powerful Johns Hopkins in the first round of the Centennial playoffs last February, the season was ultimately a huge success for the Shorewomen. Washington finished the campaign 15-9 overall and 9-6 in the conference, good for second place in the Centennial East Division. The Shorewomen won six out of seven games from early December through early January, and closed out the regular season by winning eight of their last 11 conference games, including four in a row. Cole-Smith must replace one graduate from last year, Diane Zeng, who has stayed on in Chestertown as an assistant coach with the Shorewomen. She was a four-year starter at the guard position, breaking the Washington record for career steals. She was a two-time team Most Valuable Player, and was also named the team's best defensive player twice. Last season she averaged 9.0 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 3.0 apg, and a team-leading 2.3 spg. Four starters return for the Shorewomen this year, however. Junior forward and co-captain Kate Bierzonski (Camp Hill, PA/Trinity) is the team's leading returning scorer (12.0 ppg) and rebounder (7.5 rpg). She scored in double figures in 14 games and grabbed double-digit rebounds six times, leading the team in rebounding in 14 games and scoring eight times. Bierzonski achieved career-highs last year of 27 points against Muhlenberg, five steals against St. Mary's, and three assists in three games. Sophomore forward Allyson Britton (Wilmington, DE/St. Elizabeth) also averaged double-digit points last year, at 11.0 ppg, and was second on the team in rebounding (5.8 rpg). She scored in double figures in 14 games, leading the Shorewomen in scoring in 10 games and rebounding seven times. Britton's season highs last year included 25 points against Baptist Bible, 10 rebounds against Widener, three assists in two games, and three steals twice. Senior guard and co-captain Maggy Kilroy (Towson, MD/Notre Dame Prep.) will look to close out her collegiate basketball career in style. She is only 25 assists and 37 steals away from breaking the Washington career records in both categories. Kilroy led the team in assists last year, with 5.1 apg, and was third in scoring (9.1 ppg) and steals (1.5 spg) and fourth in rebounding (4.3 rpg). She scored in double digits in 10 games, leading the Shorewomen in scoring twice. Junior guard Kerry Lomax (Manasquan, NJ/Manasquan) contributed all over the court last year. She was fifth on the team in scoring (7.4 ppg), sixth in rebounding (3.6 rpg), second in steals (1.9 spg), and third in assists (2.4 apg). Lomax scored double-figure points in eight games, leading the team in scoring three times and rebounding in three games. Last season she reached career-highs of eight assists against Widener and five steals against Johns Hopkins. Sophomore forward Janine Morehead (Newark, DE/St. Elizabeth) saw significant playing time off the bench during her rookie campaign, starting one game. She averaged 4.5 ppg, and was third on the team in rebounding at 5.0 rpg. Morehead scored in double digits in three games and had double-figure rebounds once, leading the Shorewomen in rebounding four times and in scoring in two games. Her season-highs included 15 points against Ursinus and 11 rebounds against Albright. Two sophomore guards, Nicole Tuscan (Library, PA/South Park) and Laura Manco (Silver Spring, MD/St. John's College [DC]), will be looking to make bigger contributions this year. Tuscan's season-highs as a freshman were seven points against Albright, seven rebounds against Bryn Mawr, three assists against the College of Notre Dame, and two steals in two games. Manco, meanwhile, had her season-highs of six points, four rebounds, three steals, and two assists in games against Bryn Mawr. Four newcomers are hoping to have an immediate impact for the Shorewomen this season. Junior transfer Daniela Rados (Camp Hill, PA/Trinity) was named an all-conference guard while at the College of Notre Dame. She is a tenacious player both offensively and defensively. Sophomore guard Allison Weisbrod (Montville, NJ/Mt. St. Dominic) was an all-Centennial Conference pitcher on the Washington softball team last spring after transferring from New York University. Freshman forward Becky Abaray (Verona, PA/Riverview) was a 1999 All-Section Roundball All-Star, helping to lead her high school team to the Pennsylvania state playoffs. Her athleticism and aggressiveness led her to surpassing the 1,000-point plateau during her senior year. Abaray's averages included 13.6 ppg, 5.0 rpg, and 4.0 apg. Another freshman, guard Jessie Suter (Westminster, MD/Francis Scott Key), is a strong three-point shooter who will add depth to the perimeter. Wesley Junior LaChelle McHenry returns to at the point. The guard bounced back from early season injuries to average 5.3 points, 2.6 assists per contest and 2.5 steals per game. Sophomore Quenita Jordan (3.9 ppg, 1.4 apg) also has experience at the point. "I feel confident in the abilities of both our point guards," Stabley added. "It is a tremendous advantage to have two quality players capable of directing the offense. They are also both tenuous defenders which should allow us to pressure the ball the whole game." On the other wing sophomore Kim Smith returns after a solid freshman season. Smith ranked 27th in NCAA Division III last season in three-point field goals per game (2.4), while averaging 9.6 points per contest. Rounding out the backcourt for the Lady Wolverines are freshman Katie Kilgalen, a three-point specialist, and sophomore Katie Dulin (2.6 ppg last season). Kilgalen givens Wesley another accuarte shooter on the wing and Dulin is a hustler, who Stabley feels improved the most of any player on the team over the summer. "Kilgalen is a 5-10 shooting guard, who complements Benton well," said Stabley. "Her ability to create shots and pick up the slack on offense should complete our backcourt." In the front court, transfer Nikki Pauls will man the post. The junior has looked impressive in both preseason scrimmages. "Nikki has the ability to play both inside and outside," remarks Stabley. "She slashes well to the basket, but also has the ability to step out and knock down the three-point shot." Sophomores Tara Lomicky, who averaged 5.0 points and 4.0 rebounds a game off the bench last season, and Janelle Ketcham (1.0 ppg, 1.8 rpg) return with experience. Lomicky could miss the early part of the season with mononucleosis. Senior Kari Tomczyk also returns after sitting out last season. Stabley feels her maturity and leadership will be vital to the team. |
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