Women's Basketball Preview - Part 3: Youngstown State
Nov. 1, 2006
No seniors.
It is a rare occurrence in college athletics, but nonetheless, it is the situation the Youngstown State women's basketball program finds itself facing in 2006-07.
Although this scenario may send up some red flags, the Penguins are not without quality veteran leadership, including four juniors and seven returners with at least 17 games played under their belts.
Still, Youngstown State Head Coach Tisha Hill comprehends the circumstances her program faces this season, but always plays the hand she is dealt with the same passion and vigor as when the Penguins were loaded with five seniors in 2004-05.
"This is a young group that continues to prove their excitement through their work ethic during the off-season," Hill said. "We are looking forward to a challenging schedule and mainly looking to stay injury free as always."
Although the composition of the squad consists of six newcomers, including three freshmen, a junior college transfer and two Division I transfers, it is this group's athleticism and competitiveness that Hill expects to counter the youth and inexperience.
"Our players are an athletic bunch and they really get after it," Hill said. "They want to compete and they like pushing each other to the limits."
Penguins Backcourt
For the first time in her tenure, Hill will not face the predicament of starting a freshman at the point guard position for a majority of the season. In 84 games over the last three years, Youngstown State used a first-year player to run the offense in 63 contests or 75 percent of the time.
With junior Lauren Branson fully recovered from knee surgery - which forced Hill to use then-freshmen Monique Godfrey and Velissa Vaughn at point guard in 17 games - the Penguins have a true leader to run the floor.
"Branson has recovered well and will return at the point this season," Hill said. "She is a true leader on and off the court.
"She was really dedicated to her rehab and has a hunger to return to action."
A member of the 2005 Horizon League All-Newcomer Team, Branson averaged 5.5 points and 3.8 assists per game in starts last season before the knee injury.
Branson, who has started a total of 34 games over the last two seasons, has dished out 205 assists in 40 games for a career average of 5.1 assists per game.
Godfrey started 11 games and averaged 5.3 points per game and Vaughn recorded six starts.
"Monique and Velissa each gave us quality minutes at the point considering they were both thrown into the fire after Branson was injured," Hill said. "They give us depth in running the offense but also have the athleticism to play the other guard slot."
With the return of Branson, don't be surprised if Godfrey slides to the shooting guard slot to fill the hole left by last season's leading scorers Kristy Gaudiose (10.9 ppg) and Ashlee Russo (10.3 ppg). Last season, Godfrey showed promise of being a scoring threat posting double-digits in four of the last five games, including a career-high 18 against UW-Green Bay.
Freshman Kaitlyn March, a third-team all-state selection as a senior at Rochester Area High School, is also poised to make a push for time at the off guard.
In many instances the Penguins will use a three-guard set which will give them numerous options on the perimeter. Sophomore Toni Roscoe, one of the team's top outside shooters, and junior college transfer Heather Karner give the Penguins an exciting combo at the third guard position.
Roscoe made 17 three-pointers last season while Karner, who averaged 9.3 points per game at Western Nebraska Community College, can penetrate and create her own shot.
Junior Kira Mowen, an Illinois transfer who sat out last season, is eligible and gives the Penguins another option from the outside.
Penguins Frontcourt
Although Youngstown State lost an inside presence with the graduation of Michelle Holmes who averaged 8.3 points per game, the Penguins' low-block players bring a myriad of capabilities and strengths to the frontcourt.
Junior forward Jessica Schloemp, who started every game for the Penguins last season, is the squad's top returning scorer and rebounder from 2005-06 with nine points and 7.1 rebounds per game. Schloemp closed out the campaign strong averaging 10.4 points and 9.7 boards per game while shooting 50 percent from the field over the last 14 games.
"Schloemp had a great second half of the season for us," Hill said. "She became a scoring threat and our best rebounder.
"We'll need her to pick up right where she left off from last season."
Sophomores Ashley Pendleton and Nikita LaFleur saw limited action in 21 and 17 games, respectively. Pendleton showed signs of being a tenacious rebounder while LaFleur displayed shot-blocking prowess.
Also helping to bridge the gap in the post are freshmen Ta-myra Davis, a 6-foot-1 forward, who posted more than 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds at Firestone High School, and 6-foot-4 center Anjalia Lyons from Cleveland Central Catholic.
Schedule
The schedule features 27 regular-season games, 13 home contests, an in-season tournament, four doubleheaders and the program's first contest against a Big East Conference opponent in six years.
"We have a very competitive non-conference schedule on tap for this season" Hill said. "We renew some games with Mid-American Conference opponents by hosting Buffalo and Akron. We will begin a new series on the road this year with Miami of Ohio as they return to us the following season.
"This non-conference schedule will prepare us for what's to come in grueling league play."
The Penguins home schedule is highlighted by Big East member Cincinnati on Friday, Nov. 10, at Beeghly Center and is the earliest season opener in school history. It marks just the fourth meeting between the two Ohio schools and the first match up since 1983.
Added Hill: "I'm excited to open the season right here in Beeghly with a Big East opponent in the University of Cincinnati. They are a quality program from an outstanding basketball conference and I think our fans will enjoy the matchup."
After visiting Coppin State on Nov. 17, YSU returns home to host Buffalo, Nov. 21, before embarking on a four-game road trip. The Penguins will head to the Atlantic coast to play in the Hilton Wilmington Riverside Beach Blast hosted by UNC-Wilmington, Nov. 24-25. In the first round of the "Beach Blast," YSU faces UNC-Wilmington on Nov. 24 and will face either Duquesne or Furman on Nov. 25.
The Penguins continue their road swing against Miami (Ohio) on Nov. 30, marking the first meeting with the Redhawks since 1979, and take on WNIT participant Indiana State, Dec. 6, in Terre Haute, Ind.
Home for the holidays will not be just another cliché for YSU as the Penguins begin a five-game homestand during the month of December. YSU hosts non-league foes Akron, Dec. 16, Robert Morris, Dec. 18, and Clarion, Dec. 21.
The Penguins' Horizon League slate begins Dec. 28 against Wright State and Dec. 30 against Butler, both at the Beeghly Center. Other Horizon League games at home include Detroit (Jan. 13), Cleveland State (Jan. 27), Illinois-Chicago (Feb. 1), Loyola (Feb. 3), UW-Green Bay, a WNIT participant, (Feb. 15), and defending Horizon League champion UW-Milwaukee (Feb. 17).
YSU's Horizon League road contests include two games in Chicago, Ill., against Loyola (Jan. 4) and UIC (Jan. 6), a weekend swing through Wisconsin at UW-Milwaukee (Jan. 18) and UW-Green Bay (Jan. 20), at Detroit (Feb. 8), at Cleveland State (Feb. 24), at Butler (March 1) and Wright State (March 3).
The Penguins also have a rare February non-league game against Oakland (Mich.), Feb. 6, in Rochester, Mich.
Story provided by the Youngstown State Sports Information Office
