HAAC
2009-2010 Women’s Basketball
Avila University Women
The fourth chapter in the Avila Women’s Basketball program is being prepared by Head Coach Larry Williams. Williams starting his fourth year has brought respectability to the program in the always tough Heart of America Conference in three short years. Replacing three starters in Emily Hoskins, Sarah Parker, and Ashley Townsend will not be an easy chore to do. Emily and Sarah were four year starters who brought a vast amount of experience and Ashley was the leading scorer her junior and senior years being named to the NAIA All-American teams.
But all is not lost and Coach Williams is very excited about the returners and new recruits coming in. With nine returning letterman from last year’s 24-7 team, who got plenty of playing experience he is ready for the new challenges before him and his team. Williams feels that the nine collectively can absorb the experience, scoring and rebounding of the three seniors that graduated. “BELIEVE IN WE” not the individual will be the greatest asset for the team to be successful for 2009-10 season.
The nine returning letterman have plenty of experience and confidence to get the team off to a successful season. Jaime Kenny, a 5’11” senior will be the one that the team will look to for leadership this year. A three year starter and one of the leading three point shooters in the conference she averaged 9.7 points per game 4.7 rebounds for the team last year. Alyson Young 6’0” junior who was the freshman of the year two years ago, is again ready to step in and play at the rugged five spot. She has averaged double figures her last two years and also the leading rebounder this past year. Liz Vollmer, a 6’2” senior has stepped in the last three years off the bench and always supplied what the team needed in regards to being able to run the floor, score and rebound at the post position. Jessica James, 6’0” junior averaged 3.4 pts and 2.6 rebounds last year will bring more athleticism on the perimeter for the team as she is being moved to a strong forward. Addie Buckler, 5’6” sophomore who has great court awareness returns at a guard position. Last year was a learning year for her playing behind Emily Hoskins and with that experience should step in and challenge for plenty of playing time. Torie Murillo, 5’8” sophomore guard brought a new dimension to the team last year with her ball-hawking defense and aggressive play. She is the type of player that does not have to score to help the team but makes everyone else only better. Brittany Townsend, 5’9” sophomore fwd was the big surprise last year as she repeatedly stepped in games and hit big shots. She is expected to lead the charge this year with her ability to shoot the three ball and put it on the floor. Courtney Gimlin, 5’7” sophomore guard will again bring her offensive accolades to the Eagles as she averaged 5.6 pts per game. A streak shooter who can light it up is expected to be more consistent this year a year of collegiate experience. Loganne Grider, 5’11” sophomore fwd was voted the most improved player last year and with the style of play for this coming year, high expectations are in the making for her.
Rounding out the Eagles are four new players that will be challenging for playing time this coming year. Ashley Jensen, 5’6” junior is a transfer from Metro State in Denver, Colorado. A very good 3 point shooter, she brings a wealth of experience to the team and as the season goes she should only get better. Ashley Lattimer, 5’8” freshman brings more athleticism to the team. A quick, versatile guard she has potential to be a very good player for the next four years. Rachael Edwards, 5’9” freshman is probably the most fundamental sound young player on the team. A wealth of wining at the high school level has brought a great attitude to the Eagle program. Karli Lapointe, 5’8” freshman is always the type of player you want. Hard worker, whatever it takes, team player and will always be the “nuts and bolts” to hold a team together.
According to Williams, “This team is young, but after last year’s success they understand what it takes and the expectations are to challenge for the conference championship. We will be much deeper, stronger and faster than last year. I know the players will be ready to make their mark in the conference this year. For the team to challenge for the top spot, “BELIEVE IN WE” is a must for the 2009-10 season.” There is not an easy game in the HAAC. We hope with our PLAY HARD, PLAY SMART AND PLAY TOGETHER attitude we will be that team.
Baker University Women
The 2009-2010 Baker women’s basketball team returns six players, including two starters from a squad that finished 15-16 overall and 9-11 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference.
Starters back are 5’9 junior
AUDREY BRYANT and 6’0 AUBREE GUSTIN. Bryant averaged 8.9 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, while Gustin averaged 12.1 points and 6.7 rebounds per game last season. Juniors JENNA BRANTLEY,
EMILY GIBSON (Washburn),JaNEIL ROBINSON (Cowley CC),BROOKE SOSKE, BRITTANY HINES (Hutchinson CC), and COURTNEY GOODRUM (Cowley CC) will give an added scoring punch to all spots in the lineup.
TAYLER STACKS will be the only returning senior and looks to bring some added speed and depth to the guard position. The team will have increased size, with a speedy backcourt that can be utilized throughout the season.
Benedictine College Women
After six consecutive 21+ win seasons and two conference titles in four years, the bar has been set high for the Benedictine College women's basketball program. Entering his ninth season as the head coach of the Lady Ravens, Chad Folsom has reloaded for another run at the conference title in 2009-2010. The BC women's basketball program graduated three starter from a year ago, including All-American Abby Winder, from a team that finished 2nd in the HAAC with an overall record of 23-10. However, the Lady Ravens return seven players who played significant minutes last season and have added two transfers and two freshmen who should definitely factor into the mix.
The only two seniors on this year's squad, guards Drew Huff and Christina Reischl, will be counted on to provide leadership and experience. Point guard Drew Huff has been calling the plays for the past three seasons and was 2nd on the team in assists last year (79 assists). Christina Reischl is a defensive specialist who was one of the team leaders in steals last year (40 steals) and also one of the top 3-point shooters (44%). Along with Huff, sophomore Kelsey Wolfe is the other returning starter. Wolfe was the fourth leading scorer (7.8 ppg) a year ago and led the team in steals with 54. Also returning to the guard core are a couple of sharpshooters, junior Kaela Stratman, who was 4th in the nation in 3-point percentage (44%), and sophomore Alicia Garoutte. Sophomore Kelsey Anderson and freshman Kelsey Anselmi should also play important roles in the Lady Raven backcourt.
Benedictine's inside game took a hard hit with graduation last season. However, the Lady Ravens do return a couple of experienced posts in junior Heather Wansing and sophomore Teresa Zienkewicz and an athletic forward in Kristin Thorne. Wansing is a 6'3" center who led the team in blocks last year (36 blocks), while 6'0" sophomore Zienkewicz is a physical low post player. Thorne is a 5'11" forward who has the ability to play inside and outside. In order to help bolster BC's inside game, Coach Folsom recruited three 6'0" athletic forward/posts, junior Jillian Flores, sophomore Courtney Janecek, and freshman Liz Stinson.
The team is young with only two seniors and three juniors; however, the 2009-2010 Lady Ravens are experienced, talented, tall, and athletic. They should be able to play an aggressive up-tempo style of basketball that is fun to play and fun to watch.
Central Methodist University Women
The Lady Eagles return seven varsity players from the 2008-09 squad, including 3rd-team all conference selection senior Brittany Elliott, starting guard junior Jazmynn Hutchings, leading scorer sophomore Sami Dunger, and off-guards senior Taija Bennett and sophomore Catherine Kyle.Senior guard/forward Britney Westbrook returns after sitting out second semester and sophomore forward Alexa Fox returns to the front court as well.
Moving up from the JV ranks are sophomore Raeley Hart, senior Brooke Higginbotham, and sophomore Sarah Foster. New to the team are senior forward Jillian Palan (NCMC/Evansville), junior center Deanne Tonkin (Columbia College), freshman point guard Raylyn Nuss (Fort Zumwalt West High School) and freshman center Kristin Willer (Fulton High School).
To be successful, CMU will have to build chemistry between their experienced guard court and their incoming post players.
Culver-Stockton College Women
As head coach Tim Southers enters his second season directing the Culver-Stockton College women’s basketball program, he hopes familiarity will bring success for the Lady Wildcats in 2009-10.
“The girls and I know each other better this year and it shows with the way they have been practicing during the preseason,” said Southers. “ We are out to improve our image in the conference and put ourselves in position to win ball games.”
The Lady Wildcats return eight players, including four starters, from last year’s team that finished with a 5-22 overall record and last in the Heart of America Athletic Conference with a 2-18 league mark.
Junior center Jamai Letcher has led the Lady Wildcats in scoring in each of her first two seasons on the Hill and should continue to shoulder that load this season. A native of Keokuk, Iowa, Letcher led the HAAC in steals (2.3) last season and was 17th in scoring (11.2) and ninth in rebounding (6.5) while being named to the All-HAAC team as an honorable mention pick.
Supporting Letcher in the frontcourt are returnees Rachel Larson, and Danielle Harper, and newcomers Ashley Skillman, April Dowell and Macy Ferguson-Smith. Larson and Harper, both sophomores, played sparingly last season, averaging 4.3 points and 0.6 points per game, respectively. Skillman, a junior college transfer from Los Medanos College in California, will complement Letcher after averaging 8.1 points, 8.3 rebounds and 5.1 blocks per game last year. Dowell and Ferguson-Smith are freshman, but could see playing time as the season progresses.
Junior guard Breezy Guymon leads three returning starters out on the perimeter for the Lady Wildcats. Guymon, a two-year starter, averaged 9.4 points per game as a sophomore and led the Lady Wildcats with 47 three-pointers. She enters her junior season ranked seventh on the all-time 3-pointers made list with 102 treys.
Joining Guymon as returning starters are senior Kristin Walker and sophomore Ashley Berry. Berry started the most games (12) and averaged the most minutes (19.0) of ay freshman last season. She averaged 4.4 points and two rebounds per game, and led the team with in assists with 55. Walker played in 27 games last season, averaging 3.1 points and 1.7 rebounds per game.
Junior college transfer Shannon Reed is expected to compete for one of those spots this season. The 5-foot-6 inch junior from California averaged 15.4 points and 5.4 assists at Los Medanos College.
Joining Reed in competition for playing time at the guard positions are freshmen Leslie Damper and Lisa Plattner, as well as senior Brittany Chappell and junior Anna Grgurich.
Kelsey Payne, a freshman from Keokuk, Iowa, and Jessica Ashby, a junior college transfer from Quincy, Ill., are also expected to compete for playing time in the early portion of the season.
With so many newcomers vying for playing time, Southers is hopeful the early-season schedule will help bring the team together as a unit.
The Lady Wildcats open the season with six road games in their first nine contests of the year. The schedule features 13 home contests, including a date with former coach Dan Chapla and William Woods University on Nov. 30.
Evangel University Women
Evangel University won their seventh Heart of America conference regular season championship last year going 21-11 and 17-3 in the conference. Head coach Leon Neal would love to see his team duplicate that success, but would like to have his full roster available this time.
The Lady Crusaders won their title despite losing four key players to injury: Melissa Hogan to a career ending concussion after just three games, Caitlin Russell and Kelsie Hargus to season ending knee injuries at mid-season and senior center Whitney Pollard to torn knee ligaments late in the year.
Evangel will be expected to defend their conference title as Russell and Hargus return and possibly back to full strength by December, and first team all-conference selection Ashlee Luko is back to lead the team again.
Luko, a junior from Nixa, averaged 12.3 points and was named an NAIA-I honorable mention All-American.
“She is our rudder,” said Neal comparing her to that part of a boat that steers the ship. “She can create her own and she is one of the best on-the-ball defenders I’ve ever seen.”
Evangel will also return sophomore Kara Blankenship. The Republic native was an all-conference pick averaging 10.3 points. Blankenship started the year logging a lot of minutes off of the bench and ended up in starting role.
Russell, a Hillcrest product, averaged 12.3 points at mid-season before her season ended with an injury and Hargis, out of Morrisville, was putting up 10.2 points when she went down. Both will be juniors this season.
“They were both having great seasons,” said Neal. “It is good to bring those two back. The challenge is their mindset in how quickly they can come back and reach that point where they were last year. They are upperclassmen now. It’s their junior year so we look for them to step up.”
Evangel will have voids to fill with their inside game as they lost Pollard and forward Tag Morris to graduation. Morris did a little of everything for the team last year including leading the league in rebounding with 8.3 boards per game.
Neal figures those roles will be filled “by committee.” One contributor will be junior K.J. Waltrip. The 5’11” Sparta product sat out last year transferring from Central Methodist.
“K.J. will definitely help fill that void with rebounding and defending the post,” said Neal.
Jessica Rumfelt, a 6’1” freshman from Bolivar, has also emerged as a player that may factor into the rotation soon.
“She has gotten stronger and she runs the floor really well,” added Neal. “She also understands the concepts of what it takes for her to be successful.”
Evangel will also look for forward Sara Perez (Soph., 6’0”, Newark, California) to continue to improve. Perez appeared in 18 games last year and averaged 1.5 points.
Another signee in this year’s recruiting class that will look to factor in the rotation is Jayme Chapman (Fr., 6’1”, Jefferson City).
“She is coming on at a rapid pace,” noted Neal. “She can step away from the basket and score and she is a great athlete with speed.”
A pair of junior college transfers will also help Evangel inside. Forward Lacy Luttrell (Soph., 5’11”, Hurst, Texas) will transition back to basketball after playing volleyball at Missouri State-West Plains and center Laura Castleberry (Jr., 6’4”, Collinsville, Okla.) will look to give Evangel a presence in the paint.
Evangel also signed 6’1” center Chloe Farmer from Edmond, Oklahoma last year. The freshman saw action in Springfield last season playing the in the national home school tournament.
Another area of concern for Evangel will be to fill the hole left by the departure of their top shooter Brianna Mingus, who opted to wrap up playing career at the end of her junior season.
Jessica Pickett, a 5’8” freshman guard out of Kickapoo High School, could help fill that gap.
“Jessica is coming along with her ball handling,” said Neal. “She is good spot-up shooter and is a smart player.
Randall Van Kempen (Soph., 5’8”, Las Vegas, Nev.) will also look to contribute at guard. She appeared in 29 games last season averaging 2.2 points. Leon Neal called her improved play “the surprise of the preseason” adding that “her defense has gotten better and she is a good shooter.”