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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 2001-02 season |
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Clarkson The Golden Knights defeated Middlebury 66-61 to end a 10-game losing streak and then continued to surprise with a win over national power and Upstate Collegiate Athletic Association-foe William Smith 62-55. The Knights ended the regular season's final week with a win over UCAA opponent Hamilton 68-66. Clarkson's hot streak ended with a 64-51 loss to eventual champion Rensselaer in the opening round of the UCAA tournament, ending the season with an 8-17 overall record and a 3-11 mark in the league. "I think we have a really good group coming back, especially in our junior class," states fifth year head coach Laura Habacker. "We have good height and more depth than last year. The departure of Patty McTigue is a big loss, but we have some freshmen coming in that should be able to help us right away. It will be a challenging year. Although we have improved and gained plenty of experience, the teams in our conference have also gotten stronger. The UCAA will be very competitive this season." While the Knights showed glimpses of what could be coming in the 2001-02 season, several players also showed that they might be on their way to some of the greatest careers in Clarkson history. Linda Bondellio was among the UCAA leaders in points and rebounds all season long as a sophomore last year, finishing first in scoring at 16.3 points per game, just .18 points short of the highest single-season average in Clarkson history. Bondellio also placed third in rebounds at 8.7 per contest in the UCAA. Besides per game averages, Bondellio also made an impressive impact on the Clarkson record book. Bondellio finished the season with the most points by a sophomore (407) and the most free throws made in a season (99). Her 32 points Feb. 9 against Union broke the 13-year old school mark for points in a game. Bondellio was also selected as a UCAA First-Team All-Star, the first Clarkson player so honored since 1997. Patty McTigue, who graduated this past May with honors, reached the 800-point plateau and became the third leading-rebounder in Clarkson history. Her averages of 7.3 points and 6.4 rebounds per game were among the team leaders and she ranked first in assists for the Golden Knights. Helping McTigue in the backcourt were guards Holly Helmling and Laura Blaauboer. Both Helmling and Blaauboer, who are entering their junior seasons, averaged more than six points per game for the Golden Knights. Guard Bridget Sweeney started 17 games for the Clarkson as a freshman, helping solidify the Knights' guard position. Helping anchor the frontcourt with Bondellio and Dority is junior Jen Martin. As a sophomore, Martin averaged 7.3 points and 6.0 rebounds per game. With a year of experience under her belt, Brittany Speck, who played a limited role last season as a rookie forward, should see more game time in her sophomore campaign. Several newcomers will aid the Clarkson cause this season as the Knights look to become one of the top teams in the UCAA. This year's freshmen class includes guard Linda Fernandez, forward/center Shannon Kentner, guard Jamie Folsom guard Ashley Janisewski, and guard Amanda O'Neil. St.
John Fisher St. John Fisher women’s head coach Phil Kahler knows the answer to that question and with all but one of its letterwinners back from last year the all-time winningest program in NCAA Division III could be on the verge of a very special season. "We’ve had some very good teams over the years and I think this year’s team has the potential to rank right up there," says Kahler, the only coach in Fisher history, now entering his 28th year at the College with an overall record of 650-125. "This year’s team on paper has the talent and ability to do very well, but we’re going to have to commit ourselves if we plan on succeeding." Since the program’s inception in 1974, the Cardinals have the best winning percentage (83.5%) in NCAA Division III — all with Kahler at the helm. Last year, without a single-senior on the squad, Fisher finished with a 17-6 mark, an impressive record for nearly any other program, but the fourth-worst season in the program’s illustrious history. This season, Fisher brings back seven players with starting experience and eight returners who averaged over 10 minutes per game last year. "I’m happy with how well we played last year," says Kahler, who has the best winning percentage in over a 27-year span than any other coach in NCAA basketball history — men’s or women’s — Division I, II or III. "We had a lot of players step up last year and play well for us and when we lost some key players to injuries, others came along and picked up the slack." Fisher will open the 2001-2002 season hosting two tournaments — the Ramada-Marketplace Inn and the Courtyard Marriott Invitationals. The Cardinals will also travel to SUNY Brockport and Buffalo State College, before closing out the semester at home with Clarkson University. "We play a tough
non-league schedule in the first half of the season and that will serve
as a pretty good indication as to how we are going to do," Kahler
says. "Our conference is very competitive and if you don’t show up to play, there isn’t a team that can’t beat you," says Kahler, who led Fisher to an Empire 8 crown two years ago and appearance in the Sweet 16. "I don’t know if we are the favorite to win the league, but I think we have as good of a shot as anyone else." With 17 players, including five seniors on this year’s squad, Fisher should have the necessary depth to make it through its grueling schedule. Senior All-American Missy Lock figures to lead the way this season. Lock, who has started in Fisher’s last 50 games, averaged 14.0 points and 9.7 rebounds last year and emerged as Fisher’s go-to player, coming up with big plays during critical points in many games. "Missy did a great job last year, but we asked way too much of her," Kahler says. "We need other players to step up and make sure Missy doesn’t run out of gas." Fellow senior Heather Nolan seems like an obvious choice to lighten Lock’s load. Nolan, who also has started in every game in her sophomore and junior seasons, averaged 10.6 points per game last year. Nolan has led Fisher in 3-pointers each of the last two years and set a Fisher record for 3-pointers in a game with eight in the Cardinals’ season finale last year. Seniors Kristin Mayer, Lori Bauer and Tracy Vanderlip join classmates Lock and Nolan. Mayer started in
11 games last year and came on strong late in season, averaging 10 points
and five rebounds in Fisher’s final five games of the year. "We have a good group of seniors and each one of them is going to play a key role at some point this season," Kahler says. Lone junior Nicole Yandon also returns after coming off the bench in all 23 games last year, and averaging 4.1 points and 2.4 rebounds per game and ranking third on the team in 3-pointers. Sophomores Jen Kristensen and Trisha Tofany are back after fantastic freshman season. Tofany, who missed four games with a foot injury, started in 19 games and provided the Cardinals with well-rounded play, averaging 8.7 points and 8.3 rebounds per game. She also led Fisher in steals, assists and blocked shots per game. Kristensen averaged 8.3 points and 4.7 rebounds per game and led Fisher in free throw and 3-point percentage. "Jen and Trisha did a good job last year and really played well as freshmen," Kahler says. "Both players played like veterans and came through in some clutch situations last year." Sophomores Corinne Young and Morgan Hawley each have starting experience and figure to challenge for a starting role once again. Young played in all 23 games last season and has worked extremely hard in the offseason, according to Kahler, while Hawley averaged seven points and six rebounds as a starter, before suffering a season-ending knee injury. Classmate Elizabeth Sealander could also make her presence felt after making the transition to the collegiate level last year, while fellow sophomore Tina Massa will play her first season this winter. "I think our sophomore class is one of our biggest strengths," Kahler says. "We had most of our sophomores get a lot of minutes as freshmen last year and that’s going to help us over the next couple of years." Kahler has also recruited another solid freshman class that will push the returning players for action. Section III Class A Player of the Year Kelli Nash of West Genesee should make an immediate impact, as could 5-10 forward Laura Szkotnicki out of Fairview, Pa. Six-foot-one center Missy O’Donnell, who can shoot the ball from the outside, will also vie time, as will point guard Lynne DeLilli of Gloversville and Governuer’s Nicola Audet. "We have a great group of seniors, underclassmen that have a lot of experience and a talented freshman class," Kahler says. "We’ve had great teams in the past, but the future looks even brighter." New
York U. "To me, winning big for a year is nothing," Quinn revealed. "Winning big for a few years doesn't impress me. Win for a decade. Win really big for a decade and a half. Do it with injury, with adversity, with change. Do it with no audience; do it again with everyone watching. Do it when no one thinks you can. Do it again when everyone expects the impossible. Try doing it for 15 years. Do it every single minute of every single day, over and over. Win with no excuses. Do many times what few people ever dare to even try once. Do what most who do try, simply cannot. That's basketball for me. That's what NYU is for me." With a team that takes on the personality of its coach, it's easy to see why the Violets should again be in the hunt for the National Championship. And, with a solid group of returning upperclassmen, Quinn seems to have all of her weapons intact. "At NYU, we always expect everything from the seniors. They will carry this squad," Quinn stated. "They are talented and experienced. They've earned my respect. We expect them to be a core of the offensive running game and to anchor a dynamic pressure defensive system." Matching last year's class of four seniors, the largest ever in team history, this quartet of Violets will also be charged with leading the team in a variety of ways. The Violets' 2000-01 team leaders in points, assists, blocked shots, steals and free throws are all found in this year's senior class. They will be counted on to provide stability at both ends of the court. Meg Barber (5'10", G), Vallene Henderson (6'0", C) and Dari Magyar (5'6", G) will serve as captains. Barber led the team in scoring (12.5 ppg), steals (69), and free throws (71) last season. She has played in all of the Violets' 83 games during her career, 81 as a starter. Barber started all 28 games last year and joined former Violet Jehan Clark as the only NYU player to receive the team's Best Offensive and Best Defensive player awards in the same season. Barber also earned First Team All-UAA and Second Team ECAC Metro All-Star honors. "Meg's talent
is matched only by her work ethic," Quinn suggested. "Her ability
to adapt to greater and more versatile responsibilities each year is priceless." "Dari is a talent at any level of women's basketball," Quinn offered. "Dribble penetration, three-point range, court vision and pure pride make Dari a difficult match-up for opponents." Henderson played in a career-high 27 games last season, all in reserve. Still, she led the team with 38 in blocks and pulled down a career-high 128 rebounds despite averaging only 11.7 minutes per game. "Vallene has been an unselfish team player offensively through her career," Quinn revealed. "We expect her to shoulder more of the scoring and offensive-oriented responsibilities this season." Tasha Freygang (5'9", F) enters her second year with the Violets after playing for two seasons at Ohlone Junior College in San Ramon, California. In her first year as a Violet, Freygang played in 14 games and earned UAA Winter Sport All-Academic honors. "Tasha can play small forward and is a terrific all-around guard, as well," Quinn explained. "Her ability to get to the rim is good, and she can also spot up outside the three." Two juniors are expected to play a big role in the Violets' pursuit of another championship. Dominating presences on the front line, Allison Herman (5'11", C/F) and Tanisha Atkinson (6'1", C) will have the opportunity to step-up and fill the void left by the graduation of last year's entire starting frontline (Rashida Allen, Jessica Nowak, Angela Vicari). Herman finished second on the team with 5.6 rpg and third with 25 blocks last season despite missing six games due to illness. She led the team in rebounding seven times and earned the Violets' Most Improved Award. "Alli is a strong and versatile power forward who is difficult to guard," Quinn said. "We are expecting her to contribute at both the offensive and defensive ends." Atkinson returns to the team after missing the entire '00-01 season as a medical redshirt. The tallest player on the squad, she has the ability to create match-up problems for defenders." "`T' is just super around the rim, and her hands are terrific for a center," Quinn suggested. "We will work to incorporate her great size and strength into our offensive scheme." Two sophomores, each of whom received significant playing time as NYU rookies, will be expected to step-up in 2001-02. Both Nicole Feder (5'11", F) and Chiene Jones (5'6", G) will be given the opportunity to continue their development and make contributions to the NYU program. Feder, who played in 19 games, led all of last year's freshmen in points and rebounds. She totaled career highs of nine points and seven rebounds vs. John Jay. "Nicole had a terrific orientation year," Quinn recalled. "She is a very good student of the game, and we will look for increased contributions at both ends of the floor." Jones played in 18 games during her rookie campaign. She finished second among the newcomers in assists and steals. "Chiene can disrupt an entire opponent's defense single-handedly. She can do the same to their offense," Quinn surmised. "She will emerge as a superior player on both ends of the floor." A large contingent of newcomers will adorn the NYU roster in 2001-02. Hailing from as far away as California, and from as nearby as New Jersey, the skills they present will give Quinn even more options to choose from. "We will look to incorporate the depth of this year's incoming class into the game plan more than in years passed," Quinn admitted. "We're excited about the orientation of this group." This talented group is headed by Stephanie Huhn (5'10", G/F), Lauren Smith (5'7", G) and Cassandra Wiggins (6'0", G/F). Huhn was the first player ever to accumulate 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds at Toms River North High School in New Jersey. Smith averaged 14 points, six rebounds, four assists and 3.5 steals per game as a senior at Robinson Secondary School in Fairfax, Va. Wiggins, a sophomore, attended Pasadena Community College last year and earned First Team All-South Coast Conference honors. "I would expect Lauren, Cassandra and Stephanie to see more minutes than the traditional freshmen with large playing minutes vacated through graduation," Quinn said. "Lauren's up-tempo style will fit in well with NYU's running game. Cassandra brings good size to the small forward and big guard positions. Steph is just a super athlete who can rebound and score." Other recruits added to the squad this season are Chantal Kazay (6'0", C/F), Nyasha Bralock (5'8", G), and Meredith Whitley (5'11", G/F). "Chantal has terrific reach and a feel for shot-blocking. We expect her to aid in the rebounding game, as well," Quinn revealed. "Nyasha is a great athlete with natural speed, and Meredith is a very good athlete who can run the floor well." Despite all of the changes, the Violets should be in position to make another title run. The losses of some super seniors have paved the way for the next wave of NYU players to make their marks. "I'm not tired
of winning, and I'm not tired, period," Quinn offered. |
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