The Observer, November 16, 2007
Volume XL, Issue 11
New coach and small squad for women's basketball
As the Case women's Basketball team gears up for their season, you can't help but feel the excitement that new coach Jennifer Reimer has about the upcoming season. After going 9-16 last season (1-13 in the UAA), Reimer will need more than just excitement to turn the program around. However, with a winning percentage of .638 over her career, she knows how to win. She also has a great group of girls taking the court this year, eight of them being upperclassmen.
When practice started on Oct.15 for the team, the roster only listed 11 players, not many, considering Mt. Union, their first opponent, lists 30 women. The biggest thing the team is stressing this year is teamwork. While last year senior guard Dana Dempsey was a star for the team, coach Reimer insists there are no such players this year. "We are focused on being a solid team," says Reimer. "The girls aren't focused on who scores or starts. Everyone is going to contribute this year; there isn't one standout player." Two girls who she will lean on to lead the team, though, will be senior captains Mary Herendeen and Ashley Horton.
While the team has eight upperclassmen, they have six newcomers in total. Anna Taylor played open gym with the team earlier in the year and was convinced to come out; assistant coach Freeman Blade convinced one of his students, Julia Gorski, to come out for the team; and Brittany Randall, a senior, was pushed by roommate and teammate Ashley Horton to finish her senior year with a basketball season. The three freshmen coming in are Caitlin Henry, Austin Howell, and Beth Andrasik.
The transition for coach Reimer and the team has gone very well. "The girls made it very easy," said Reimer. "They are such hard workers and so easy and fun to coach." Judging from the way practice has gone, the team has really bought into Reimer's system. The team will look to emphasize a very strong defense. Reimer is looking for very physical play from her team overall, but especially on the defensive side of the court. On the offensive side of the ball, the team will look to push the basketball in transition and create scoring opportunities.
As for her outlook on the UAA, Reimer insists that she is just focusing on one game at a time and that UAA play isn't going to be looked at until after their Surf City Tournament in California at the end of the year. She did admit that being picked low in the conference is exactly where she wants to be. "I love it when people underestimate us and we have the chance to exceed expectations," said Reimer.
The team will have its first test to exceed those expectations this weekend in Pittsburgh when they play a good Mount Union team. Look for the girls to step up to the challenge.
