2013-2014 Women’s Basketball Preview

William Penn Women’s Athletics

2012-2013 record: 19-10 (9-3 MCC, 2nd)
Starters returning/lost: 2/3
Letterwinners returning/lost: 7/8

Notable returners:
Katie Golomski Jr. Milwaukee, Wis.
(Honorable-mention all-MCC, 9.6 points/game, 63 three-pointers)
Janay Pritchett Jr. Cedar Rapids, Iowa
(Honorable-mention all-MCC, 10.7 points/game, 57 assists)
Jessie Kreuser Jr. Mendota Heights, Minn.
(5.2 points/game, 4.4 rebounds/game)
Susan Smith Sr. Eugene, Ore.
(2011-2012 stats–3.9 points/game, 96 assists)

Notable losses:
Orielle Thomas
(Two-time All-American)
Sarah Martin
(All-MCC)
Taylor Reed
(Two-time letterwinner)

Notable newcomers:
Lauren McKinnis Sr. Chicago, Ill.
Dani Stahle Sr. South Weber, Utah
Rachael Tozier Jr. Phoenix, Ariz.
Alyssa Garcia Jr. Chicago, Ill.

The ingredients are all laid out on the counter, so it will come down to putting the right mixture together as the William Penn women’s basketball team seeks to cook up a championship dish for the 2013-2014 season.

Mike Brown, in his second season at the helm, will guide a Statesmen squad that finished last winter at 19-10 overall, including a 9-3 league record good for second in the Midwest Collegiate Conference.

“With me being in my first year as head coach, I thought we did well to finish second in the MCC,” Brown said. “The ladies really bought into my program. We teach defend, rebound, and take care of the ball and I think all three items were solid for us, helping us to contend for a league title last year. We had a chance to claim the crown on the final day of the regular season, so that says a lot. Our ladies bought in and it trickled through the squad.”

Although two-time All-American Orielle Thomas and all-MCC performer Sarah Martin have departed with last year’s graduating class, WPU’s cupboards are still stocked with returning and new talent.

“We made good strides during the offseason,” Brown said. “We lost some dribble-drive kids, but I feel we did well in replacing them. We feel our freshman class will be really good for us with kids who will contribute for four years. We also made a strong commitment in the weight room with our strength coaches and I know that will pay dividends as the year progresses.”

Brown’s squad has so many strong components, but all should be led, at least early, by the return of all-MCC duo Katie Golomski (Jr., Milwaukee, Wis., Psychology) and Janay Pritchett (Jr., Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Biology).

Point Guard

Fans will quickly notice this year that depth should not be a concern for the navy and gold, although if there is one position that is slightly thinner it will likely be at the point.

Susan Smith (Sr., Eugene, Ore., Physical Education) is back on the hardwood after sitting out last year with an injury. The most prototypical point guard that William Penn has, she averaged 3.9 points and 3.2 assists per game two years ago.

A plethora of shooting guards should be more than competent to lead up top when Smith needs a breather.

“We are both deep and not deep at the point,” Brown said. “We are glad to have Sue back as she sees the floor well and pushes the pace well. I think she would have made us so much better last year as she is a calming influence and handles the ball well.”

“We also have a few combo guards, players who are a little better off the ball, who can give Sue a break,” Brown added. “We should be able to trade out easily without losing a beat.”

Shooting Guard

An impressive combination of dribble-drive and spot-up individuals will give the Statesmen several options at the shooting guard spot.

Golomski leads the charge after knocking down 63 three-pointers last year (9.6 scoring average) en route to an honorable-mention all-MCC nod. She surprisingly also blocked a team-best 16 shots last winter.

“Katie had a great sophomore season,” Brown said. “She had a better shooting percentage because she had better looks. I expect her to excel at an even higher level with this year’s supporting cast.”

Brittany May (Sr., Gladstone, Ore., Biology) and Makenzie Ficek (Sr., Eugene, Ore., Sociology) also join Golomski as WPU’s catch-and-shoot personnel, but the trio have also added a new dimension to their games as they are more confident going to the basket.

May averaged 3.0 points (27 three-pointers) last year, while Ficek had a 2.6-point clip with 12 trifectas.

“Brittany and Makenzie both look a lot better this year,” Brown said. “Brittany rededicated herself to the game and her conditioning. They will be terrific assets for us.”

Pritchett showed last year she has a mid-range jumper in her bag of goodies, but there is no doubt she is the best returning attacking guard William Penn has in its arsenal.

Pritchett leads all returning players in scoring, posting 10.7 points per contest last year. In addition to 57 assists and 21 steals as a sophomore, Pritchett was also the best free-throw shooter at 78.4% (69-of-88).

“Janay came on really strong at the end of last year to help us to a strong conference campaign,” Brown said. “In addition to being a scoring threat, she has also developed her ability to distribute the ball, which makes her even more potent.”

Wing

It will be more of the same for the Statesmen at the wing positions, just with players who have a bit more height and physicality.

Megan Evangelista (Sr., Chanhassen, Minn., Biology) and Vanessa Kieres (Jr., Chicago, Ill. Physical Education) return for Brown’s group, but it might be newcomers Dani Stahle (Sr., South Weber, Utah, History/Government & Psychology) and Lauren McKinnis (Sr., Chicago, Ill., Sociology) who make the biggest splash this winter.

Evangelista poured in 3.8 points per game a year ago.

“Megan will be able to play out on the wing more this year because we have more post players,” Brown said. “That should allow her to be more of an offensive presence for us. She has become more consistent shooting the deep ball, but she is also a staunch defender who can be physical with bigger players. Things tend to go really smoothly with her calming influence in the game.”

Kieres contributed 2.8 points per outing last year.

“Vanessa had kind of a tough year as a sophomore, but has looked really good this preseason,” Brown said. “She is really motivated right now and as a longer guard, she can do a little of everything for us, and has also made huge strides on the defensive side.”

Stahle’s versatility and McKinnis’ athleticism will make for tough matchups for opposing teams.

“Dani is a really good all-around player who can do it all and do it well,” Brown said. “She is our glue and makes us better when on the floor. She is a great teammate and has a motor that never stops.”

“Lauren is about as dynamic of a player as we will see at this level,” Brown said. “She is fast and quick and can handle it with either hand. She is a high-caliber player who should be tough for anyone to guard.”

Post

It has been a while since the Statesmen have had a true presence in the blocks, but Brown believes that need has been addressed this season.

Jessie Kreuser (Jr., Mendota Heights, Minn., Undecided) is the group’s frontrunner, not just because of her experience within the system, but because of the improvements she has made since last year.

Kreuser managed 5.2 points and 4.4 rebounds as a sophomore.

“Jessie had a tremendous sophomore year and continues to steadily improve,” Brown said. “Her strength and conditioning have improved, which will help her play more minutes. We are looking for big things from her.”

Rachael Tozier (Jr., Phoenix, Ariz., Business Management) and Alyssa Garcia (Jr., Chicago, Ill., Biology & Psychology) are both finally on the floor after redshirting last year with injuries. The duo should give Kreuser plenty of competition for the starting spot as will Nannette Sims (Jr., Davenport, Iowa, Psychology & Sociology) who moves up from the junior varsity ranks.

“Rachael is showing she is more of a physical player,” Brown said. “She should do well against some of the bigger posts we will see. She can also knock down the mid-range jumper.”

“Alyssa, if she gets back to full strength health-wise, could really add to our depth, while Nanette is our biggest sleeper,” Brown added. “She is a bit undersized, but is very athletic and strong. She can guard every position and is a tremendous rebounder, especially on the offensive end. After losing Orielle, we needed someone who could help us on the glass and she fits the bill.”

“All of our posts can bang around in the blocks but can also extend defenses with mid-range jumpers,” Brown said. “They will be tough matchups.”

Brown is still determining the final varsity roster as several players are vying for the last few spots.

Schedule

The Statesmen did not dodge anyone last year and they refuse to do so again this campaign. Brown has referred to this non-conference schedule as ‘brutal’ with contests against five teams that qualified for the last year’s NAIA Division II National Championships.

The schedule begins at Waldorf on October 29.

“Just like last year, we are playing several tough opponents, including Briar Cliff, Morningside, Friends, St. Mary (Neb.), and Valley City State–all teams that made it to nationals last year,” Brown said. “We are also playing three NCAA Division II opponents in exhibitions. This will all test us early and help us to find out where we stand with our squad.”

Conference

The league’s coaches are viewing this MCC race as a three-team battle with WPU even with the likes of St. Ambrose and defending league champion and national qualifier Grand View.

“Grand View lost a little from last year’s squad, but should still be really good,” Brown said. “St. Ambrose has basically everyone back so they will be very strong. I feel like Clarke and AIB will surprise some teams as well.”

“If we can shore up some of the areas where we lost some talent due to graduation and continue to commit to rebounding and defense, the sky is the limit,” Brown said. “From the inside to the perimeter, we have a lot of players who can score. “We feel like we have everything you need, but we will have to control our egos and buy into what we doing. If we can do that, it will be a really nice year.”