Amanda Porter

2000-01 Season Outlook

Cedarville University women's basketball is ready to go to the next level. There are a lot of programs that have the same desire, but the Lady Jackets realize you have to have the talent and the experience to get there. If there was ever a season that has the makings of such accomplishment, this is it.

Kathy Freese comes into her tenth season as head coach with as much enthusiasm as ever. Her teams have posted back-to-back winning seasons, but now they're looking for more.

"We have a great group coming back," said Freese, who has won 131 games at Cedarville. "I think we're going to surprise some teams. We are quicker, stronger, and much better defensively because of the quickness and maturity we have.

"These young women are very determined. They have worked hard in the off season and have specific goals they want to achieve."

Three experienced seniors will be counted on to provide the leadership. The trio includes 1,000-point scorers Julie Nourse and Amanda Porter as well as Stephanie Schanher, who came on strong at the end of last season with some impressive efforts.

Julie Nourse

Nourse, a six-foot center, has been a mainstay in the post for the Lady Jackets. She has started all but four games during her career and begins the season sixth on Cedarville's all-time scoring list with 1,309 points. A three-time NCCAA All-American and All-AMC performer, she is an excellent shooter with career percentages of .552 from the field and .763 from the line.

Porter joined Nourse in the 1,000 Point Club last winter and begins this campaign with 1,115 points which is seventh all-time for the Lady Jackets. She is also a three-year starter in the backcourt who has appeared in every game since joining the program.

Schanher was finally able to overcome nagging injuries that slowed her down her first two seasons to play in 31 games last year. She averaged 10.3 points in the final four games and has the versatility to play at the guard or small forward slots.

The other two returning players are junior guard Pattie Schryer and sophomore guard Beth Bunchkowski. Schryer has played in all 64 games during her first two seasons and last year buried a team-high 50 three-point baskets with her long-range shooting. Bunchkowski received invaluable experience her rookie season by playing in all 33 games off of the bench.

Stephanie Schanher

Many teams with such high expectations have more than five returning letter winners in the lineup. However, Freese is quick to point out why that's not a major concern with her club.

"Yes, we only have five players back, but they were key players last year," she explained. "We have three starters back, two of which have already scored over 1,000 career points, and a fourth player who has started before. That's a great nucleus, yet the newcomers know they are going to play in some key positions for us, too."

Freshman forward Molly Earley and rookie point guard Julie Stauffer will be expected to provide immediate help. Both join the program with impressive credentials set during their respective prep careers and Freese believes they can both make a smooth transition to the collegiate level.

Senior guard Jenny Heidenreich, a Lady Jacket track & field standout, is one of the newcomers playing her first season of college basketball. Also joining the program is junior guard Crystal Frowner as well as freshmen Ashley Smith, Karyn Pierce, Erika Pasciuta, Jamie Huffman, Missy Weirich, and Christen Dudick.

The 2000-01 Lady Jacket schedule carries the usual challenges. Defending NCCAA national champion Bethel comes to the season-opening Cedarville Invitational and the women will also play Transylvania at the University of Kentucky Coliseum. Toss in 18 dates in the demanding American Mideast Conference and the Lady Jackets will have to pass a rigorous season-long test if they hope to take their game to the desired next level.