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DATE: Thurs., Nov. 17, 2005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Women's basketball

Devils hope taste of success lingers

FREDONIA, N.Y. -- After a 14-11 season and a fifth-place 9-7 finish in the SUNYAC, the Fredonia State women’s basketball team will have to use a new formula if it is to return to winning form again in 2005-2006. Four seniors were lost to graduation -- Amanda Neamon, Katie Estes, Heather Martin and Tina Homan -- and this season’s squad has nary a senior.

With the loss of forwards Neamon and Estes, who accounted for 19.4 points per game, and Cheryl Kindzia (Williamsville/Williamsville North) the team’s only interior player with significant experience, the team will have adjustments to make this year - most notably, relying on the play of the guards at both ends of the floor.

“We will have a different look this year, “ said head coach Donna Wise. “At times we may go with a four-guard offense.”

Wise will use the quickness of her guards to apply pressure defense. “We have some scrappy guards,” said Wise, and she will rely on their aggressiveness and quickness on both ends of the court.

Although the team does lack size under the basket, they do have 6-0 Danielle Bleecker (Pittsford/Pittsford-Mendon) and 5-11 Melissa Howlett (Avon/Honeoye Falls-Lima) who both played at the guard position last year. Wise hopes to use that, and the scrappy play of the other guards, to create offense out of a pressure defense.

The point will be handled by Karolyn Baker (Olean/Olean) and Maria Scaffidi (Buffalo/Holy Angels). Freshman Leisel Renaud (Brooklyn/Humanities Prep) may also see time in that role.

Baker saw action in all 25 games last season. She has great court vision and will be counted on to get the ball to the interior players as well as provide a three-point threat from the outside.

Last year, she led the team with 22 three-point field goals.

Scaffidi was limited to a role player last year, but will be counted on to step up her game this year. “She plays solid defense and is a threat from the outside,” said Wise. “She can play the one, two or three (guard) position.”

Bleecker will return return to the starting lineup again this year. An extremely athletic talent, she is coming off a soccer season that saw earn first-team all-SUNYAC. Bleecker, the team’s leading returning scorer, chipped in with 8.6 points per game last year. She is an unselfish player that does everything well. Given her size, she may also be asked to play the interior.

Freshman Amy Bertrando (Westfield/Westfield) is the team’s top newcomer. Wise feels the Bertrando has a great upside and will contend for a starting spot as a freshman. “Her best basketball is ahead of her,” said Wise. “Once she adjusts to the college level, she could be an impact player.” Bertrando has a nice stroke form beyond the arc, runs the floor well and has shown good instincts on the court.

Scaffidi and Bertrando, both quality shooters with range, are both three-point threats. How many attempts they take from behind the arc remains to be seen. With the adjustment in style of play from last season, the team will need to establish the rhythm of the offense in the early season games.

Renaud is a quality defender and passer that runs the floor well. How she adjusts to the college game will determine how much she will contribute this season.

If there is a question mark this year, it would be the play of the team’s frontcourt. The action under the hoop will revolve around Kindzia, junior Lisa Gentile (Utica/Whiteboro) and a cast of new, unproven players.

Kindzia started eight times last year and improved with each game. In the team’s last 11 contests, she reached double-figures in scoring seven times. She will be expected continue her progress and be an offensive leader, according to Wise.

The only other player with frontcourt, albeit limited, experience is Gentile. In each of the past two seasons, Gentile was coming off knee surgery. This season she is the healthiest she’s been. In early season workouts, Wise has liked what she sees in her forward. “Lisa has been playing with a lot of confidence,” said Wise. “She is in excellent shape and knows her limitations.” Gentile also has the ability to step outside and hit a three when necessary.

A new face to the frontcourt, but not to the Blue Devils, is Howlett. She played the last two seasons at guard, but will move under the hoop out of necessity. Despite her new role, she may be counted on to nail a three when needed. Known for her quick release, she connected nine times from beyond the arc last year.

Newcomers providing support are junior Emilie Smith (Orchard Park/Orchard Park) and sophomore Michelle Bull (Machias/Pioneer), both of whom did not play last year, and freshman Joelle Rivera (Lackawanna/Holy Angels).

Last season's 14-win campaign should give the team momentum heading into this season. “The team learned a lot last year getting a taste of winning and has high expectations this season," said Wise. "Our returning players have also shown it in the way they bring it to the court at practice each night.”

With the loss of a great deal of game-experience and changing the focus of the offense to the guards, there will be an adjustment period. However, Wise feels the team has the athleticism and cohesiveness to be playing their best basketball at the end of the season and equal or better last year’s fifth place SUNYAC finish.

2005-06 Schedule
November
18 - vs. Lycoming at St. John Fisher, 6:00; 19 - vs. TBA at St. John Fisher;. 22 - at D’Youville; 29 - at Buffalo State (*).

December
2 - at Cortland (*); 3 - at Oneonta (*); 6 - at Penn State Behrend, 7:00; 8 - Nazareth, 7:00;10 - RIT.

January
4 - at St. Lawrence, 4:00; 7 - Thiel; 10 - Oswego (*); 14 - New Paltz (*), 2:00; 20 - Potsdam; 21 - Plattsburgh (*), 2:00; 24 - Brockport (*); 27 - at Oswego (*); 28 - at New Paltz (*); 31 - at Geneseo (*).

February
3 - Oneonta; 10 - at Plattsburgh, 11 - at Potsdam, 2:00; 17 - SUNYIT; 18 - Cortland.

All games 6 p.m. unless noted
(*) SUNYAC game
All home games in Bold

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