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DATE: Fri., Nov. 19, 2004

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Women's Basketball

2004-05 Devils taller, more athletic

FREDONIA, N.Y. – Heading into this season, the Fredonia State women’s basketball team has heightened expectations – with height being the operative word.

Second-year head coach Donna Wise as inherited and recruited one of the taller Fredonia State teams in recent seasons. The 11-player roster has seven players 5-10 or taller.

The squad also has experience in key areas, which has Wise and her charges heading into the season with a great deal of confidence.

“Our overall athleticism has greatly improved,” she said. “With our returnees and additions, we feel we’ve done a 180 (degree turn).”

The Blue Devils will get to see just how far they have turned when they open their season Saturday afternoon (1 p.m., Nov. 20) against the host team in the first round of the 27th Skidmore Invitational. Oswego and City College of New York are also entered.

Katie Estes (Olean/Olean), a 5-11 senior forward, heads the list of returning Blue Devils. Estes averaged 13.4 points and 7.6 rebounds per game in her first season as a starter in 2003-04. She was chosen Second Team All SUNYAC by the 11 conference coaches.

While Estes provided an inside threat last season, 6-0 senior Heather Martin (Allegany/Allegany-Limestone) was more of an outside threat. She averaged 9.8 points per game and made a team-high 26 three-pointers. A three-time all SUNYAC player in volleyball, Martin enters her final season as a Blue Devil with 604 points. She’ll likely break into the school’s top 10 scoring list early this season.

Two other seniors could figure prominently into Wise’s plans: 5-11 forward Amanda Neamon (Arcade/Pioneer) and 5-4 guard Tina Homan (Gowanda/Gowanda). Neamon pulled down a team-high 8.3 boards per game and averaged 6.6 points per game despite a chronic shoulder injury. Homan made eight starts at guard but figures to see more duty in 2004-05.

Sophomore guard Karolyn Baker (Olean/Olean) enters her second season and is expected to see increased action at the point. The second-generation Blue Devil – her mother, Kristine, played at Fredonia State in the 1980s -- worked he way into 21 games last season in a reserve role.

An excellent passer with great court vision, Baker will be counted to step up her production this season.

A 5-5 freshman, Maria Scaffidi (Buffalo/Holy Angels), is expected to share the point duties with Baker. Wise said Scaffidi’s strength lies in her ball handling and ability to see the floor, which makes her adept at breaking the press. She was Second Team All Western New York and helped Holy Angels to the Class C Catholic School state finals.

In addition to Scaffidi, the Blue Devil attack will rely on several other newcomers. Cheryl Kindzia (Williamsville/Williamsville North), a fourth-team all-Western New York honoree, is coming off a high school career that saw her score a school-record 991 points and helped Williamsville North to two consecutive league titles.

Standing 6-0, Kindzia has size to go along with mobility. “She will be a scorer for us,” Wise said.

Adding to the experience and athleticism formula is 5-11 guard Jill Ratchuk (Buffalo/Mt. Mercy), a transfer from NCAA Division II Gannon University. As a freshman at Gannon, Ratchuk saw action in 24 games and averaged just over 2.0 points per game.

“Jill is a great passer and can find people and deliver a pass,” Wise said. “She is good off the dribble and does have shooting range.”

Freshman Danielle Bleecker (Pittsford/Pittsford-Mendon), another six-footer, has already made her mark on Fredonia State athletics. She was an all-conference defender for the women’s soccer team this fall. She was a 1,000-point scorer in basketball at Pittsford Mendon and earned fourth team all-state kudos.

“Danielle is a scrappy player who can penetrate, hit the three and runs the floor well,” Wise said.

The roster includes two other holdovers. Melissa Howlett (Avon/Honeoye Falls-Lima), at 5-10, is another athletic guard with size. The sophomore’s ability to catch and shoot with a quick release enabled her to connect on 14 three-pointers last season in limited action.

Sophomore forward Lisa Gentile (Utica/Whiteboro) returns for her second season. Wise said Gentile is a relentless worker and intense practice player that makes the players around her better. She saw limited time last year and is coming off knee surgery – her second one – which helps account for her toughness.

Wise feels the increased athletic ability, speed and quickness will open things up at both ends of the court. With the addition of Ratchuk, Bleecker, and Kindzia, the Blue Devils have several more scoring options than they had last season.

Defensively, the size and speed should also pay dividends.

“Our size will allow the team to better defend the passing lanes and result in converting points off defense,” Wise said. “I feel that the team has improved its man-to-man defense and will be able to press more effectively.”

This will be vital to a team that finished ninth in the conference last year in points allowed.

2004-05 Schedule
HOME
Nov. 23 - D'Youville, 6 p.m.; Nov. 30 - Brockport*, 6 p.m.; Dec. 3 - New Paltz*, 6 p.m.; Dec. 4 - Oneonta*, 2 p.m.; Dec. 7 - Penn State Behrend, 7 p.m.; Jan. 18 - Geneseo*, 6 p.m.; Jan. 28 - SUNYIT*, 6 p.m.; Jan. 29 - Plattsburgh*, 2 p.m.; Feb. 8 - Allegheny, 7 p.m.; Feb. 15 - Buffalo State*, 6 p.m.; Feb. 19 - Cortland*, 6 p.m.
AWAY
Nov. 20 - at Skidmore, 1 p.m.; Nov 21 - vs. Oswego or CCNY at Skidmore, noon or 2 p.m.; Dec. 10 - Westminister at Penn State Behrend Winter Classic, 6 p.m.; Dec. 11 - vs. Penn State Behend or RIT, 1 or 3 p.m.; Jan 11 - at Medaille, 6 p.m.; Jan. 14 - at Oswego*, 6 p.m.; Jan. 15 - at Cortland*, 2 p.m.; Jan. 21 - at Plattsburgh*, 6 p.m.; Jan. 22 - at Potsdam*, 2 p.m.; Feb. 1 - at Buffalo State*, 6 p.m.; Feb. 4 - at Brockport*, 6 p.m.; Feb. 12 - at SUNYIT*, 6 p.m.; Feb. 18 - at Geneseo*, 6 p.m.

* SUNYAC game

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