Well, it's hard to believe but we're only a few days away from the start of another Lady Pioneer basketball season. This will be my fifth year with the women's team, fourth as head coach. I've really enjoyed each season for different reasons, and am really looking forward to this one.
It's interesting because the 2009-10 season seems to be shaping up as a season of 'change.' The team doesn't look anything like I thought it would look when we walked off the court in Grand Rapids, MI after losing in the Midwest Region Championship game in February. I thought we would have 8 of our top 10 players returning this season, but due to a lot of factors have only 4. And the 'change' continues as 2 of those 4 will be graduating in December! Regardless, the potential for this group is great, and we'll look forward to getting started this week.
Senior Abbey Armstrong, a 2008-9 second team All-American, leads the returners with her 11 points, 5 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 2 steals per game averages. Sophomore Ellie Hodak (9 points, 4 rebounds), junior Lydia Hodak (6 points, 3 assists, 3 steals), along with junior Brianna Leverson and sophomore Brooke Byard provide the experience for a team that finished 13-11 last season. Junior Tiffany Chatfield rejoins the team after taking second semester off following her January wedding . Chatfield averaged 16 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals per game through 7 games last year.
Newcomers this year include Rebekah Watson, Brooke VanLaanen, Kayla Currell, Sara Seering, and Jenni Delorge. Watson brings 3 years of intercollegiate experience to the team, and VanLaanen played for the Lady Pioneers for a semester in 2007.
It's good to have Abbey and Bri, even for just a semester. I appreciate the fact that they are willing to come out and work and play hard, even for only 8 games. I know their hard work and dedication will help some of our younger players prepare for the second half of the season. Abbey has turned out to be a great player at both ends of the floor, and that was recognized by her postseason awards last year. Bri is always a threat from outside, and really has the mentality of a coach. Lyds has improved so much at the point guard position. She really stepped up the last 6-8 games of the season last year, and we look forward to her picking up where she left off. There's not a more athletic player on the floor when Ellie's out there, and she is getting better and better. Having T-Ross, or T-Chat, back is huge. She is always an offensive threat, and comfortable handling the ball. Brooke B. may be the most improved player on this team this year.
As far as the new players, I expect them all to contribute right away. Rebekah does so may things well. She really sees the floor and is in the right position. I think the sky is the limit for Kayla and her ability. She will definitely help us this year, and if she works hard will be a premier player in this region. Brooke V. has great quickness and can cause some problems for defenders. Jenni and Sara will also be a help to us accomplishing our goals this season. There is a potential bright spot beyond Christmas break with the likely return of last year's captain, Jenna Kurtz. Jenna has been studying in Chile this semester and is planning to return for her final semester at Northland.
The schedule starts difficult and will prove to test where we're at. We start on Thursday, Nov. 12th with a game at two-time defending national champion Kentucky Christian University. We'll also play against Southeastern University and Grace Bible College this weekend as well.
Check back here during the season for game recaps and other vital information.
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