11/9/2009 2:49:21 PM
Coming off its first SCAC Tournament appearance since 2005-06, there is optimism for the 2009-10 season of Millsaps women’s basketball. The Majors went 10-16 a year ago, the most wins since the 2004-05 season, and look to build off that momentum.
The Millsaps roster is full of talented young players, as it returns three starters from last year’s team and adds eight freshmen and one junior college transfer. The newcomers will have needed importance, as they will be forced to help replace almost 60 percent of the scoring from a year ago due to four players lost from graduation.
“The team is excited about the possibilities this season,” fourth-year head coach Mary Bolton said. “The returning players are focused on leading the team back to the SCAC Tournament by showing leadership each day. We're also trying to find the right niche as the season approaches and looking to build team chemistry with each practice."
Bolton holds a career record of 20-54 in three seasons at the forefront of the Majors and has increased the team’s win total each season, including a career-best 10-16 mark last year. Millsaps again hopes to add to its win total as they seek their first winning season since the 1996-97 campaign.
The Majors are attempting to reach the SCAC Tournament again this season and fortunately, this year's tournament will be held on their home court for the first time ever. This provides extra motivation for the players and coaches and Bolton said that “with the tournament coming to our house, we want to be there."
The Backcourt:
With the departure of All-SCAC Honorable Mention selections Crystal Dickerson and Tiffany Whitmore to graduation, the Majors turn to senior Cori Tucker and junior Ronda Webb to fill the void in controlling the offense.
“Cori’s knowledge of the game and her leadership both on and off the court will allow her to step in and run the offense because of her relationship with her teammates,” Bolton said. Webb will be asked to play a similar role as Dickerson did last season, but be more of a threat from the perimeter as she has improved her shooting range in the off-season. Bolton also said that Webb “appears to be back to full strength after suffering from a knee problem last year."
Freshman Kristen Salmon will get a chance to step in and play significant minutes for the Majors as she brings a huge scoring threat to the lineup. She will have the opportunity to raise the tempo of the game, especially at the defensive end. Sarah Spann, another talented freshman, also has the chance to make an immediate impact once she returns to the lineup from an injury.
Junior transfer Pamela Jackson provides an instant spark on the defensive end with her pressure defense as the Majors look to continually improve this aspect of their game. Millsaps finished last season ranked second in the conference in both blocks (4.8 per game) and steals (10.9 per game). “Defense is the key and we do whatever we can to stop our opponent” said Bolton about the team’s focus on the defensive end of the court.
Freshman center Kristian Dobard and junior Krista Clark will also provide important minutes off the bench for Millsaps in the backcourt. Freshman Elizabeth Sigafoose, Jasmine Harbor, Carra Cockrell and Lovie Love will all be fighting for playing time as they continue to develop at the collegiate level.
The Frontcourt:
The loss of three-time All-SCAC Honorable Mention selection LaReina Adams along with Jessica Bowie to graduation puts the Majors in a tough spot in the paint, but returning is the team’s leading scorer and rebounder from a year ago in sophomore Janice Okeke, who averaged 11.2 points per game (ranked 20th in SCAC) and 7.8 rebounds per game (7th in SCAC).
“Janice has shown tremendous maturity and significant improvement from a year ago,” Bolton said. “She will continue to take on more of a leadership role with the team.”
Freshmen Shante Morton and Deonna Walton are also going to be asked to step in and help in the paint. “Morton comes to the team with great knowledge of the post position and should contribute more as the season progresses,” Bolton said.
The Schedule:
The season tips off Nov. 20 at the Emory Invitational in Atlanta, Ga., as the Majors begin with three road contests before returning home for a game against Rust on Nov. 30.
Millsaps will play 11 of its last 15 scheduled games in the friendly confines of The Hangar Dome, including a 6-game homestand from Dec. 31 to Jan. 17 in which the Majors will play two non-conference contests and four conference games. Two of Millsaps' games will come against preseason ranked opponents in No. 18 Trinity University and No. 12 DePauw University.
“Those key games will determine the character of our team,” Bolton said. “They’ll need to be both physically and mentally prepared for this tough stretch of games. The team will need to work hard over the holiday break to maintain the conditioning they are in to be prepared to compete with the top teams in our conference.”
A Texas road swing on Feb. 5 and 7 at Southwestern University and Trinity University will provide a huge road test before the Majors return to Jackson Feb. 13 to play their final three games at The Hangar Dome.
How to Follow the Majors:
Follow Millsaps women's basketball all season long with Derrel Palmer "DP" by going to the home page and clicking on "Web Casts" in the bottom right hand corner. The live video broadcast is free of charge courtesy of Millsaps and ATW Sportscast.