2008 Woodie Awards
Women's basketball ready to do damage in LMC
Returning heavy hitters and "solid" newcomers make an interesting mix
Justin Wolter
Issue date: 11/21/02 Section: Sports
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The 2002-2003 women Muskies are eager to start this year's basketball campaign. After setting many records and milestones last year, this year's squad will look to have the same type of success as last season.
Head coach April Arvan and her staff believes this could be one of the most exciting teams in the Lake Michigan Conference, as they are predicted to finish in second place.
We want to win the LMC conference and get to the NCAA tournament again. We'll focus on our half court game and play it to perfection," said Arvan.
However, for the Muskies to earn their fifth straight LMC conference championship and a trip back to the national tournament they'll have to find a way to replace first-team DIII News All American, and first-team d3Hoops.com All American Jill Dewane. She was also a top-10 finalist for the Josten's Division III Player of the Year Award. She averaged sick stats of 23 points and seven rebounds per game and basically beat her opponents like a government mule.
Also the sniper-like shooting of last year's other senior Amy Coduti, who knocked down a team leading 34 triples, will have to be replaced.
The good news is Lakeland will bring back four starters from last year's all-world team, but the bad news is two of them are hurt. Last season's second leading scorer, sophomore Jenny Clements, will be sidelined until January after she had surgery to repair her shins. Also out is junior Casey Thousand, who also had shin surgery. She may be back the night of the first game, but it will be a game-time decision based on where she is on her conditioning.
One big plus is the return of sophomore, point guard Kristi Thill. Last season she led the team with 77 assists, but will need to cut back on her 76 turnovers. She plays a large role, handling the offense and has solid ball handling skills. Junior Chelsea Bjarnarson will look to bring more offense to her game, as she averaged 5ppg last season but shot the ball well (38 percent) from the three-point line.
Head coach April Arvan and her staff believes this could be one of the most exciting teams in the Lake Michigan Conference, as they are predicted to finish in second place.
We want to win the LMC conference and get to the NCAA tournament again. We'll focus on our half court game and play it to perfection," said Arvan.
However, for the Muskies to earn their fifth straight LMC conference championship and a trip back to the national tournament they'll have to find a way to replace first-team DIII News All American, and first-team d3Hoops.com All American Jill Dewane. She was also a top-10 finalist for the Josten's Division III Player of the Year Award. She averaged sick stats of 23 points and seven rebounds per game and basically beat her opponents like a government mule.
Also the sniper-like shooting of last year's other senior Amy Coduti, who knocked down a team leading 34 triples, will have to be replaced.
The good news is Lakeland will bring back four starters from last year's all-world team, but the bad news is two of them are hurt. Last season's second leading scorer, sophomore Jenny Clements, will be sidelined until January after she had surgery to repair her shins. Also out is junior Casey Thousand, who also had shin surgery. She may be back the night of the first game, but it will be a game-time decision based on where she is on her conditioning.
One big plus is the return of sophomore, point guard Kristi Thill. Last season she led the team with 77 assists, but will need to cut back on her 76 turnovers. She plays a large role, handling the offense and has solid ball handling skills. Junior Chelsea Bjarnarson will look to bring more offense to her game, as she averaged 5ppg last season but shot the ball well (38 percent) from the three-point line.