Transylvania will have youthful look in 2011-12

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Transylvania head women's basketball coach Greg Todd faces quite a unique test in 2011-12 as he tries  to guide the Pioneers back to  the HCAC Tournament finals and a possible berth in the NCAA Division III Championship.

Todd had a senior-dominated squad last year, including four starters – two of whom scored over 1,000 career points. This year, he has one senior and 10 freshman.
 
"We have the rare challenge of replacing four starters this year," said Todd, who has amassed a 96-42 record in five seasons at Transylvania. "As always, we will strive to get better as the year progresses and be a threat in the HCAC tournament at season's end."
 
The Pioneers return six players from last year's squad that went 20-8 (13-5 in the HCAC), to go with an astounding 10 newcomers.
 
With a significant amount of playing time up for grabs this season, the Pioneers' October preseason trip to Canada for three exhibition contests was a great opportunity. It also added 10 days of valuable practice time

 "It was a fantastic chance for us to take a good look at our team and evaluate our players," said Todd. "The timing for the Canada trip could not have been better. It was tremendous for our program."
 
Forward Kennae Demus is the lone senior on the squad, and brings two years of starting experience with her in into 2011-12.

"Kennae is an extremely athletic player who does several things well," said Todd. "She'll be a key player for us and has the potential to be an All-Conference player."

Demus has averaged 7.9 points and better than five rebounds and 26 minutes per game the past two seasons.

Junior guard Charli Fant gained valuable experience last year and is also expected to be a key contributor for the Pioneers.

"Charli gives us tremendous work ethic and hustle on the court," said Todd. "She's done a great job improving her ball handling and conditioning this past offseason with a lot of hard work."

Fant started 10 games and played in all 28 last season for the Pioneers.
 
Also expected to factor in the Pioneers' equation will be juniors Haleigh LeCompte, Terra Lucas, and Brooke Colliver,  all of whom logged more than 10 minutes per game last year. Sophomore guard Emily Ullrich could also be a factor in the battle for playing time.

"Our returners have all worked very hard and made strides in several areas of their game," said Todd.
 
Perhaps the story of the season for the Pioneers is the depth and talent of the incoming class that will be making their Pioneer debuts in 2011-12. Ten freshmen will be vying to make an immediate impact on the hardwood and if Transy is to  be successful, some of them will need to come through.
 
Guard Nicole Coffman was averaging 21.7 points and 8.5 rebounds last year before she was sidelined with an ACL injury. She is expected to be back on the court in December and will challenge for a starting spot for the Pioneers.
 
Forwards Alex McKenzie and Chelsea Pharris  also have a chance to make an instant splash for the Pioneers. McKenzie finished her career at Scott County with more than 1,000 career points and rebounds, and Pharris was the runner-up for Region 3 Player of the Year at Grayson County in 2009-2010.
 
Twin sisters Lyndsay Whitlock and Valerie Whitlock are both members of the 1,000-point club at LaRue County. Both are talented and versatile athletes who, in addition to basketball, also participated in soccer, softball, and track in high school.
 
The Pioneers  also brought in guard Jariana Gillespie  and center Elizabeth Thomas, who will challenge for contributing roles this season.
 
Todd and his staff logged some impressive miles on the recruiting trail as well, and welcome forwards Victoria Keise (North Broward) and Kayla Dobson (El Dorado) from Florida and New Mexico, respectively.

The Pioneers have an exciting and challenging schedule in 2011-12, including the fall trip to Canada and a Christmas break visit to Southern California.
 
Transy opens its season with a contest against in-state rival Spalding on Nov. 15, and will also take on Ohio Northern, Adrian and Midway before opening conference play at home against Anderson on Dec. 3.
 
The 2011-12 Transy Classic is slated for the weekend of Dec. 19, where the Pioneers will host Maryville, Kenyon and Saint Mary of the Woods. The following week, Todd and company will travel to sunny southern California for a tilt against Pomona in Claremont on New Year's Eve.
 
"We feel that this group can eventually parallel the 2011 graduating class that had so much success," said Todd. "They're all in contention for playing time this season, and give us a rock-solid foundation for continuing the basketball tradition here at Transylvania."
 
The Pioneers have finished in third place or better every year since Todd has taken over in 2006-07, and have won two Heartland Conference championships. Transy has also made a pair of appearances in the NCAA tournament, the first in school history, most recently in 2009.
 
Todd, who came to Transy via the high school circuit after going 391-80 in 13 years, is eager to see what his team is made of.

 "It's not going to be easy, but we're really looking forward to seeing what our team is made of," he said. "Our returners have done an excellent job setting an example with their leadership and work ethic for all of our newcomers."
 
The former two-time HCAC Coach of the Year's goals are simple.

 "We'll really push for consistency early with this group," Todd said, "with the goal to be a contender in the HCAC tournament by the end of the season."