Guarded Optimism

Even though just two starters return from last year’s Susquehanna University women’s basketball team, head coach Mark Hribar opens his 15th season on the Crusader bench with the expectations of another appearance in the Commonwealth Conference playoffs come February.

While the Crusaders will have to replace the potent frontcourt combination of All-American center Karyn Kern and power forward Leslie Clementoni, the backcourt remains key to the success of the team in 2001-02.

The team’s lone senior, forward Amy Harrington (Danville, PA/Danville H.S.) is also the top returning scorer from last season after pouring home a school-record 43 three-pointers (fourth in the Commonwealth Conference) and averaging 10.4 points per game. She made at least one three-pointer in 22 of the team’s 25 games and led the team in scoring four times.

Harrington, the Susquehanna career leader in three-pointers made with 84, needs 287 points to reach 1,000 for her Crusader career. She is also the top returning rebounder in 2000-01 after averaging four boards per game last year in her second year as a starter.

Also returning to the starting lineup is junior guard Alison Ream (Mifflintown, PA/Juniata H.S.). She shook off a midseason scoring slump to average 8.0 points and 3.2 assists for the season, finishing third in the Commonwealth Conference in assists per game.

Ream also posted 34 steals in 25 games to finish second on the team, while her 13 three-pointers tied her for third on the squad. A reliable ball-handler, Ream recorded 81 assists against 62 turnovers for a 1.3 ratio that ranked second in the Commonwealth Conference.

With the graduation of four-year starter Susan Trella at point guard, the spot is open for either junior Maggie Endler (Shillington, PA/Governor Mifflin H.S.) or junior Shannon Baker (Greensburg, PA/Greensburg Central Catholic) to get the nod.

Endler averaged 8.3 minutes per game while playing in all 25 games, scoring 1.3 points and dishing out 1.0 assists per game. Baker returned from a knee injury that sidelined her for her freshman season and averaged 0.8 points in 20 games as a reserve.

Up front, junior Kait Gillis (Mechanicsburg, PA/Trinity H.S.) may be the team’s best rebounder despite standing just 5-7. She played in 23 games last season and averaged 3.1 points and 2.4 rebounds, and registered at least a point and rebound in 11 straight games in primarily a reserve role at midseason.

Another key returnee is junior swingplayer Emily Kurtz (St. Marys, PA/St. Marys H.S.), who was the team’s top scorer off the bench at 4.7 points per game. Over the last seven games of the 2000-01 season, she shot 42 percent from the field and averaged 7.4 points per game.

Sophomore center Courtney Sokol (Falmouth, MA/Falmouth H.S.) may be expected to play a greater role this season after showing flashes of potential as a freshman. She played in 24 games as a rookie and averaged 2.1 points and 2.5 rebounds. In her most extensive action of the year, she scored eight points and blocked five shots in 19 minutes at Moravian on January 30.

Sophomore forward R.J. Norris (Altoona, PA/Altoona H.S.) has impressed the coaching staff in camp with solid defense, after playing 11 games as a freshman.

Among the six newcomers, 5-8 freshman forward Tara Dillon (Allentown, PA/Emmaus H.S.) is joined by three post players in 6-foot Andrea Carlson (Downingtown, PA/Downingtown H.S.), 5-11 Skyra Blanchard (Lewisburg, PA/Lewisburg H.S.) and 5-10 forward Ang Letcavage (Kulpmont, PA/Mount Carmel H.S.).