The Observer, November 18, 2005
Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11
Experience raises Lady Spartans' expectations
With the amount of change that the women's basketball team had to endure last year, no one was really sure what to expect performance-wise on the court. The team had a rookie coach in Jacki Windon. Star point guard Keesha Allen was battling injuries, while the rest of the team was very young and inexperienced. Nonetheless, the team had a respectable season, finishing 11-13.
"The season went well given the circumstances," Windon said regarding her first season. "I was new, the girls were new, and we had graduated four seniors the year before. It took everyone a while to get comfortable in new roles."
This season, both the players and Windon are much more comfortable in their roles after having one season together.
"We all walked into the gym this year knowing what to expect," explained Windon. "We're more of a veteran team. It has a different feel."
Two of the more prominent veterans on the team are junior Dana Dempsey and senior Amber Hammell. Dempsey earned All-UAA 2nd Team honors last year for her performance, as she averaged 11 points per game, ranking 13th in the conference. Hammell led the team in scoring at 12.8 points per game and earned All-UAA Honorable Mention.
Last year, the team relied heavily on both players to provide much of the team's offense due to lack of defense and depth. This year, this should not be as much of an issue.
"I expect much of the same from last year," said Windon regarding her two veteran standouts. "Having more depth will help both of them this year. Last year, we struggled to find a consistent rotation. This year, we have a good eight to nine player rotation. It will take some of the pressure off of them."
One thing that will be missing from last year will be the presence of Keesha Allen. After returning to the court last year, her play sparked the team and boosted the offensive performance. The Lady Spartans will need to find an answer at point guard to replace her.
"We have a couple of different looks and options to play with," Windon said about the point guard position. "We have picked up our pace this year, so that alleviates the pressure of having one girl bringing the ball up the court."
Both Kristina Kleinert and La-Vonne Sherald are expected to share much of the ball-handling duties this year.
Other players who will play prominent roles this year include returning sophomores Mary Herendeen and Ashley Horton. Herendeen had a successful rookie season last year, averaging 6.1 points per game. Horton led the team in rebounding at 8.2 per game and also added nine points per game. Also adding to the rebounding efforts will be senior Carmen Rowan, who was named All-UAA honorable mention last year after averaging 7.5 rebounds per game.
Among the newcomers is forward Colleen Martin, a local product out of nearby Magnificat High School. Windon described Martin as a "very athletic forward who can run the floor well." She'll be expected to provide more depth down low. Other newcomers include sophomore Brittany Randall and freshman Angeline Rice, and senior Andrea Haylett returns to the team after missing last year due to injury.
With the bulk of last year's team returning, and with the addition of several promising newcomers, it does appear that the Lady Spartans have more depth this year. That will help immediately, as the team will play back-to-back games this weekend at the Penn State-Behrend tournament in Erie, Pa. The first game is scheduled against Mount Union tonight at 6 p.m.
