Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Lady Blue Hose Open Season On Road Against Lander On Wednesday
CLINTON, S.C. – Presbyterian opens its 2006-07 women’s basketball campaign at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 15 against the Lander Bearcats in Greenwood, S.C.
Coming into her third season at the helm of the Blue Hose women’s basketball program, Presbyterian head coach Jessica Vanco has reason to be extremely optimistic about her team’s chances for success in the upcoming season.
Presbyterian experienced its best season last year since the 2001-02 season, which was the last time that the Blue Hose made it to the NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball Tournament. In fact, the Lady Blue Hose were credited with the second best turnaround in all of NCAA Division II women’s basketball.
PC went 21-7 last year and made it to the quarterfinals of the Food Lion/South Atlantic Conference women’s basketball tournament.
The squad returns two starters to the fold this season in Amy Jones and Bridget Takach. Coach Vanco and her staff also welcome back Morgan Johnson, who started four games for the team last year and was a member of the league’s All-Freshman team.
The program returns nine letterman. To be successful a great deal depends on Jones and her ability to sustain and eventually exceed her performance from last season that saw her lead the team in assists and finish third in points-per-game.
The Blue Hose will employ a fast up and down the court style of play in the upcoming year. The offense will be fast and furious, with the team playing up-tempo the entire game.
In fact, according to Vanco the ball will never be walked up the floor, giving PC the chance to control the tempo and style of each game.
This style of play will be aided by a little newness on the bench as Holly Brooks steps in as assistant coach to join former PC men’s basketball letterwinner Mike Smith and Vanco on the sidelines.
Backcourt
Jones will once again lead the way in the backcourt for the Blue Hose. The junior is a returning starter at the two-guard slot, but will see time at the one as the point guard.
Jones ended last season with 110 cumulative assists and is an adept scorer as well, concluding the year with 9.8 points-per-outing. An extreme threat from beyond the arc, Jones knows how to create her own shot.
A captain, Jones led preseason conditioning for PC.
The second returning starter on the squad, Bridget Takach, will join Jones in the backcourt as the point guard.
A captain as well, Takach out works all of her opponents and has a stupendous jump shot off the dribble that makes her hard to guard. The coach on the court according to Vanco, Takach is equally adept from three-point range, ending 2005 with a team-best 46 treys.
The third captain of PC’s tri-captains is junior Tishe Sanders. Sanders did not experience much time on the court last season, but commences this season as a hard-nosed defender who will compete for time at the No. 2 position in Vanco’s system.
A defensive stalwart for Presbyterian, Sanders leads by example to her teammates on the defensive side of the basketball through her hard work and determination.
Jessica Parris is also vying for time at the two-guard position. A very fundamental and hard-working player, Parris played in eight games in the 2005-06 campaign.
Lauren Brown is a two guard, who also happens to be a tennis player for Presbyterian. Brown did not see game action last season, but always gave 100% and could see time this season due to her attitude and desire to contribute for the cause.
Wing
Kerianne Blease played in 25 contests for the Blue Hose in the 2005-06 season and comes into this season as one of the leading candidates for the starting position at the three spot in Vanco’s system.
Blease has the best vertical jump on the squad and will try to use that athleticism to help the team in a variety of ways. Only a sophomore, Blease is one of those players who is always diving on the floor for loose balls.
True freshman Bobbie Van Tassel will also be competing for time at the three guard. The Clover, S.C. native possesses a very good three-point and mid-range shot.
Most importantly, Van Tassel at 6-foot brings size to the three guard position, giving Vanco options, while at the same time helping the team on the glass as the freshman comes into the Blue Hose system as a tremendous rebounder.
Upstate native and J.L. Mann product Jenna Handshoe will be trying to place her name in the hat at the No. 3 spot as well for the Blue Hose in the upcoming season. Handshoe is a hustler who will also be playing for the PC women’s lacrosse team.
Post
A part-time starter in the 2005-06 season and a member of the SAC All-Freshman team, Morgan Johnson returns to the court this season for PC as the slated starter at the power forward or No. 4 position in Vanco’s system.
An athletic post, the sophomore averaged 5.2 points-per-game and 5.1 boards-per-game last season for the Blue Hose. Johnson will be counted on even more this season, specifically for her prowess with her back to the basket.
The final three players fighting for spots in the post are all freshmen. Taylor Price has a strong body and can run the court well, while Gaston, S.C. native Davette Robinson is a back-to-the-basket post who can also handle the ball and nail the three.
Lea Smith will be trying to find a spot at the fourth position. An athletic post with nice moves around the basket, Smith can also run the court well.