Cedarville College
Yellow Jackets
1999-2000 Women's Basketball
Season Outlook
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| Amanda Porter |
There are times in which a head coach, no matter the sport, can sense that something exciting could materialize out of the upcoming season. This is one of those campaigns for Lady Jacket mentor Kathy Freese, who begins her ninth season at the school.
Freese has always chosen the optimistic approach when sizing up a particular team. After becoming only the second coach to win 20 games in a season with a 20-11 mark four years ago, she endured three straight losing seasons before producing a 16-15 result last winter with a young squad. Nine players, including the top three scorers, an all-conference first team performer, and league Co-Freshman of the Year, and nearly 80 percent of the offense returns for what is anticipated to be better things this year.
"For the first time in a long time we are returning veteran players with experience," Freese declared. "That has everyone associated with the program extremely positive and thrilled about the prospect. Our goal is to build upon what we did last year and to keep getting better."
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| Kathy Freese |
Heading the list of returnees is two-time American Mideast Conference First Team center Julie Nourse. The six-foot junior averaged 15.0 points and 7.6 rebounds last year, ranking second on the club in both categories, with a team-high .584 field goal accuracy. She was also an NCCAA All-America Second Team selection.
Nourse and classmate Amanda Porter have been starters through their first two years in the system. Porter, a 5-6 guard, supplied 12.9 points a year ago with a team-best 73 steals and was All-AMC Honorable Mention.
Kirsten Rossotti, a six-foot sophomore forward, made an immediate impact as a rookie and was named AMC Co-Freshman of the Year and was picked to the All-AMC Second Team. She led the team with 15.5 points and 8.0 rebounds per game and was tops in free throw shooting with a .809 mark.
Handling the role as captains are the team's lone seniors, Charity Cole and Tara Swaney. Both players have spent three years in the program, but unfortunately, both are attempting to come back from leg injuries.
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| Julie Nourse |
"Like all captains, Charity and Tara are expected to be examples to the rest of the team on and off the court," said Freese. "They are determined young women with whom I'm confident will provide quality leadership."
Juniors Stephanie Schanher and Jennifer Jones as well as sophomores Pattie Schryer and Noël McKinnon round out the list of nine returning players. All have assumed a key role on the team and will vye for additional court time this year.
Three newcomers join the program including 5-10 junior guard Angela Seeley, who transferred to Cedarville after leading Maranatha Baptist Bible College to the NCCAA Division II title last year. Only two freshmen, 5-8 forward Beth Bunchkowski and 6-4 center Christy Herman, are on the roster.
The schedule is again challenging especially in the American Mideast Conference which has produced the last two NAIA Division II National Champions in Walsh (1998) and Shawnee State (1999). The Jackets will also travel to Central State, who has qualified for a record 11 straight NAIA Division I national tournaments.
