Women's Basketball Preview - Part 4: Detroit

Oct. 28, 2005

The Detroit Titans' Women's basketball team has high hopes on improving upon its 04-05 performance. Head coach Mickey Barrett will once again emphasize strong defense and a half court offense, and they believe they have what it takes to compete in the Horizon League conference. With three returning starters, a total of nine returning lettermen, along with five newcomers the Titans believe they have the players to step up and replace departed seniors Melissa Harakas, April Savalli, Jennifer McGee, Stacy Cobbs, and Elizabeth Krzyzek.

Seniors

The seniors are led by starting backcourt mates, Lindsay Pasquinzo and Katie Solner. One of the tri-captains, Pasquinzo, a 5-11 guard from Utica High School, was selected as a Preseason First Team All-League member. She led the team last year with a 13.4 points per game average and was the top three point shooter in the league last year. She has the third highest scoring average among returning Horizon League players. Solner, a 5-6 point guard from Birmingham Marian, was second on the team in scoring last year with 11.9 points per game, and led the team with in both steals and assists. She was an Academic All-American nominee last season. These two will once again be looked upon to shoulder both the offensive load, and key the defense by causing turnovers. They are joined by Joanna Cooper, Caitie Goddard and Kelly Jaskot. Cooper, another of the tri-captains, is a 5-11 forward from Detroit Renaissance. She started 22 games last year, and was the third leading scorer with 6.6 points per game. This season she'll be looked upon to provide leadership to the younger players with her strong work ethic. She is an undersized post player, but makes up for her lack of height with determination and heart. Her work ethic also shows up in the classroom as she was nominated for the Academic All-American team. Goddard, also one of the tri-captains, is a 5-10 guard from Madison Heights Bishop Foley. She was the number one option off the bench last season. She also made five starts while scoring 4.4 points per game. Just like Solner and Cooper, Goddard was an Academic All-American nominee last season. This season she will compete for a starting spot and will be a major factor in whatever role she is asked to play. Jaskot, a 5-8 guard from Plymouth Salem High School, was a key contributor, playing in all 29 games, while averaging 3.9 points per game in 13.1 minutes off the bench. Her memorable moment last season came when she scored five three-point baskets against league champion Green Bay. She will also compete for a starting spot this season.

Juniors

The junior class is made up of one player, Lauren Yurgens. Yurgens, a 6-1 forward, will be competing for a starting spot after appearing in all 29 games last season, and making seven starts. She has been one of the hardest workers in practice and will be ready to make an impact this season. She averaged 1.2 points in 10.7 minutes per game last year.

Sophomores

The sophomores are led by Shawanna Stubblefield. A 5-7 guard, Stubblefield is a slasher who will compete for a starting spot and will also be looked upon to help shoulder some of the offensive load. Last year she appeared in all 29 games, averaging 3.7 points in 15.6 minutes per game. Also competing for playing time will be Katy Dunlop, Demetria Blair and Kandace Evans. Dunlop, a 6-4 center/forward from Ursuline Chatham College in Chatham, Ontario, missed half of last season with a stress fracture in both her legs. She is now running as well as the guards, and will help tremendously in the transition game, as she has the rare combination of size and speed. Blair, an athletic 5-9 guard from Warren Cousino will also be looked upon to provide depth. Her athleticism will be important for the Titans transition game. Evans, a 5-7 guard who last played at the University of Wisconsin, takes the court after sitting out last season fulfilling NCAA transfer rules. She is a former McDonald's All-America nominee from her days at Southfield High. She brings a Big Ten toughness to the team, is extremely athletic, and will be competing for a starting spot.

Freshmen

Coach Barrett has brought in five freshmen who will all compete for playing time. Stephanie Carvin, a 5-8 guard from Detroit, was a point guard for Mumford High School. She brings a freshness and enthusiasm to the game, as well as great ball-handling skills. Marcella Cavitt, a 5-9 guard/forward from Detroit Cody, will bring a strength and power game to the Titans. Despite her size she could find minutes at shooting guard, or either forward position. Zemora Davis, an athletic 5-9 guard from Detroit Community, will be looked upon to bring energy every time she steps on the court. Sandi Brown, a 5-11 guard/forward from Toledo, is a versatile player who can play multiple positions. A track star at Start High School, she will help bring speed and energy when she comes in. Dominica Whittaker, a 6-3 center/forward from Mississauga, Ontario, will be counted on to provide quality depth at the post positions.

Schedule

A challenging schedule features five opponents who went to the NCAA tournament, last year (Western Carolina, Kansas State, Bowling Green, Michigan State and UW-Green Bay) and two who went to the postseason WNIT (Texas A&M and a potential game against UNLV). The Titans begin their season against some strong non-conference teams. Following the opening game against defending Southern Conference champion Western Carolina, the Titans will fly out to the state of Kansas. First they will take on the Kansas Jayhawks, and then they will face the Kansas State Wildcats, who were ranked 17th in last year's final AP poll. Other big games on the schedule include a December 7 date at last year's NCAA runner-up, Michigan and a trip out to Las Vegas for the UNLV Duel in the Desert December 17-18. The Titans will take on Texas A&M on the 17th and face either host UNLV or Jackson State on the 18th. Coming to Calihan Hall will be schools such as defending MAC champion Bowling Green (November 30th), Pepperdine (December 2nd), Western Michigan (December 4th) and Kentucky (December 10th). Seven of the 11 opponents on the non-conference slate had winning records in 2004-05.

Detroit begins Horizon League play on December 29th when they play host to UW-Milwaukee. Wright State visits the Titans on January 13th, which will be the teams first meeting since the Raiders ended Detroit's season in the Horizon League semifinals last year. Defending league champion UW-Green Bay, which finished 24th in the AP poll last season, visits Calihan Hall on February 1st with the Titans returning the trip in Green Bay on February 18th. The Horizon League Tournament will be held from February 28th through March 6th. The opening round game (8th place vs. 9th place) will be held at the site of the eight place team, and the quarterfinals will be held at the campus site of the higher seed. The semifinals and finals will be held at Youngstown State if they are still alive in the tournament or at the site of the highest remaining seed.