Women's Basketball Preview - Part 4: Loyola

Nov. 2, 2006

Heading into its second year under the guidance of head coach Shannon Reidy, the Loyola women's basketball program seems primed for a breakout season. With four contributing seniors among a group of six returning letterwinners leading the way and a highly-touted and balanced recruiting class of six freshmen, optimism is abounding in the weeks leading up to the start of the 2006-07 season.

"One of our major goals is to reconnect with the winning tradition of Loyola women's basketball and replicate that success," said Reidy. "Our class of four seniors has taken on such a large leadership role and our underclassmen see that and it makes them want to work just as hard to send them out on a good note."

After injuries limited the Ramblers to eight scholarship players for the majority of their games - they dressed just six due to injuries for one late-season game - a group of six talented and hungry freshmen arrive with high expectations.

"We need to have patience this season with such a large group of newcomers," continued Reidy. "However, we will have a much higher level of competition, especially in practice, which can also make us better."

BACKCOURT

One of the most positive things to come out of the 2005-06 season was the development of guard Marquise Hanser. Hanser enjoyed a breakout season as a junior, becoming just the fourth player in Loyola history - and first since Sherry Metz in the 1991-92 campaign - to score 500 points in a single season and averaged 17.2 ppg, 4.3 rpg and 3.0 apg to secure All-Horizon League Second Team honors. She emerged as one of the team's leaders both on and off the floor and she will be leaned on heavily this year to help along a very talented, but very young, cast of backcourt players.

"Marquise is one of the most self-made players I have ever been around," said Reidy. "Her determination and competitiveness are two of her biggest assets. Last year she proved she could score but this year she has more talent around her and we are counting on her to make those players even better while still maintaining that scoring edge and putting up numbers."

The only other guard with any collegiate experience is sophomore Jana Lucas, who saw a lot of minutes at all positions last year. She proved to be one of the team's top rebounders (5.0 rpg) and she should continue to get better as she settles in to one position.

"Jana was in a tough spot last year," said Reidy. "She was forced to grow up quickly and gained a lot of experience in the process. Her height gives her a great advantage and she has worked a lot on her shot and came back a lot stronger."

Joining Hanser and Lucas are three immensely talented and dynamic guards - Jennifer Juergens, Maggie McCloskey and Jessica Hylton - who will make an immediate impact on the program.

Juergens was a three-time all-state selection who racked up 2,093 career points at south suburban Bishop McNamara. She is an inside-outside scoring threat who uses her tremendous strength to create space.

"As an incoming freshman, Jen is the strongest player on our team," stated Reidy. "We can put her on the block, on the wing or up top and she will create a mismatch. On top of that, she is a great defender who takes care of the ball."

McCloskey is a sharp-shooting point guard who should thrive in Reidy's up-tempo transition game. Her 384 three-pointers are good for second in Illinois state history, behind current Loyola assistant coach Ashley Luke-Clanton, and she holds the school-record in both points and assists at Riverside-Brookfield.

"Maggie is in a position where she will be given the ball from day one," said Reidy. "She is fast, strong and has a quick release with her jumper. More importantly, she has a point guard's vision and distributes the ball extremely well. She is the daughter of a coach and understands the game extremely well."

Hylton is the tallest of the three and played both inside and outside in high school, adding versatility to her game. Her ability to stretch defenses as well as score in the paint make her a difficult matchup as well.

"Jess is another player with an extremely quick release," said Reidy. "She can shoot off the dribble or coming off screens and her post experience in high school adds yet another dimension. She is intelligent and a good motivator who loves to play the game."

Waiting in the wings is transfer Keisha Collins, who averaged over 11 ppg last year as a starter at Southern Indiana. Collins, who played under Reidy at Marian Catholic, will sit out this year in accordance with NCAA rules and will have three years of eligibility left, beginning with the 2007-08 season.

FRONTCOURT

Another bright spot last year was the tremendous improvement throughout the season of Loyola's inside players. Seniors Emily Ponder and Jenna Real made significant strides forward as the season progressed and helped the dichotomy of the team change from a guard-oriented attack to an extremely well-balanced one. Classmate Danielle Nabolotny and junior Nicole Garcia also saw extensive playing time and should continue to improve with another year under their belts while sophomore Cierra Thurman returns after suffering a severe knee injury just four games into her freshman season.

"The improvement of our posts was part of our team's progression," said Reidy. "They got a better understanding of the game and our guards had more confidence in them as the season wore on. As a result, we were a dangerous inside team by the end of the season and we hope to be even better in the paint this year."

Real and Ponder formed a solid high-low tandem and both return looking to build upon their strong finish. Real scored a career-high 31 points in Loyola's Horizon League First Round game against Cleveland State to become the first Rambler in over a decade to score 30 or more in a single game. The duo will serve as role models for several younger players and hope to end their careers on a good note.

"No one is harder on herself than Jenna," said Reidy. "She has a nice ability to score in the low-post and off the dribble and has been working hard on a more consistent mid-range game to go with her interior abilities."

"Emily was our most improved players last year," stated Reidy. "She was much more confident in the second part of the year and wanted the ball inside. By using her body to get good position and thinking one pass ahead, she was able to create shot opportunities for herself."

Garcia and Nabolotny will operate, primarily, on the wings and bring different skills to the table. Garcia is one of the team's most athletic players while Nabolotny is a superior cerebral player with a better outside shot. Both will fill key roles on the floor."Nicole really impressed me, coming back stronger and faster for preseason," said Reidy. "Her versatility and athleticism have her primed for an impact season."

"Nabo is one of our smarter players," continued Reidy. "She has gotten stronger and more comfortable on the perimeter. Where I have been really impressed with her is how she has embraced and encouraged our younger players."

Thurman is the wild card, as she aims to come back strong from injury. She was just starting to show glimpses of her talent before the injury, which forced her to miss the team's last 25 games.

"Cierra brings more inside strength," said Reidy. "She has such a great spirit and learned so much about the game having to sit out last year. The mental side of recovering from an injury like that is often just as challenging as the physical recovery and we hope she will come back strong."

Three freshmen will also vie for playing time in the frontcourt, as Elyse VanBogaert, Shannon Finnegan and Maureen Downs add quality depth to a veteran group.

"I have high expectations for all three of those players," said Reidy. "I fully expect productive minutes from them, not just bench minutes."

VanBogaert gives Loyola another physical presence in the paint. Her strength is one of her primary assets and she can score both around the basket and in the mid-range area.

"Elyse has so much potential," said Reidy. "She is very strong down in the post and can play both power positions. She will have a definite impact this season."

Finnegan, who is the tallest Rambler at 6-foot-3, has been one of Loyola's quickest learners this preseason. After playing, primarily, out on the perimeter, she has quickly picked up on the finer points of post play to complete her skill set.

"Shannon has been terrific and really gotten the attention of our staff with how quickly she has picked up things," said Reidy. "Her length makes her a natural to play inside and she will only get better as her career goes on."

Downs, who comes from a solid program at Marist, rounds out the trio. She will be called upon to play on the perimeter and her enthusiasm and love of the game is contagious.

"Mo comes from a very successful high school program and knows what it takes to succeed," said Reidy. "She will play a little bit more on the outside now, which will be a bit of a transition, but she is very strong and versatile."

Story provided by the Loyola Sports Information Office.