Ohio Wesleyan University | Battling Bishop Athletics

2008-09 Season Preview

[ Kayla Gordon ] With 10 letterwinners gone from last year’s 18-8 team, it might be tempting for pundits to pencil the 2008-09 Ohio Wesleyan women’s basketball team into the second division of the North Coast Athletic Conference standings.

But with a returning letterwinner at each of the five positions, as well as a talented group of newcomers, it would not be a surprise if head coach Nan Carney-DeBord and the Battling Bishops bounced back right into the NCAC title chase.

Sophomore Kayla Gordon (St. Louis, Mo./Mehlville), a second-team All-NCAC selection last season, and senior Katie Hamilton (Hilliard/Darby) are the returning post players.

Gordon averaged 10.6 points per game and shared NCAC Newcomer of the Year honors in 2007-08. She ranked 17th in the conference in scoring and fourth in field goal percentage (.502) and was second on the team in rebounding with an average of 3.9 per game. Gordon also showed she can score from outside, ranking third on the team in 3-point field goals.

[ Katie Hamilton ] Hamilton averaged 5.2 points and 2.5 rebounds in 14 minutes per game in the Bishop post rotation last year.

“Hamilton is playing like a senior, anticipating rebounds and providing great defense,” Carney-DeBord said. “Gordon has incredible offensive moves and can shoot from outside, but what makes her an outstanding player is that she plays defense.”

Sophomore Kaylie Titus (East Hampton, N.Y.), who showed flashes of brilliance in 3 games before suffering a season-ending knee injury, also returns. Titus also will see time in at a wing position this season.

Freshman post Dany Finck (Hilliard/Darby), an all-league selection in high school, will get a chance to contribute immediately.

Sophomore Tyler Cordell (Columbus/St. Francis DeSales) and junior Rachel Seibel (Johnstown) return at the wing spots.

The versatile Cordell showed promise both as a scorer and as a playmaker last year, averaging 5.3 points and 2.5 assists per game. She ranked 10th in the NCAC in assists.

Seibel, an all-state selection in high school who did not play basketball as a freshman, earned a spot in the rotation and increased playing team as the season progressed.

“The experience they gained last year is showing right now,” Carney-DeBord said. “They worked very hard over the summer and are extremely fit and strong.”

Freshman Lea Mackenbach (St. Marys/Memorial), who won all-district and all-league laurels in high school, should make an immediate impact. Freshman Lisa Wall (Delaware/Buckeye Valley), a first-team all-conference selection in high school, will be heard from, and classmates Christina Fesz (North Olmsted), an all-conference pick in high school, and Maria Khoury (Bloomfield Hills, Mich./Lahser), an all-county nominee in high school, also look to contribute.

[ Pam Quigney ] Running the show will be sophomore guard Pam Quigney (Mentor). Quigney averaged 7.9 points per game and displayed expert marksmanship, ranking fifth in the conference in 3-point field goal percentage (.425). Her overall field goal percentage of .480 would have ranked sixth in the league had she made enough baskets to qualify for the statistical title.

“Quigney has improved so much,” Carney-DeBord said. “Her strength, speed and acceleration are incredible.”

Junior guard Lauren Gentene (Mason), who contributed 2.1 points per game in a reserve role last season, and sophomore Chardae Spencer (Willowick/Eastlake North) also return.

Newcomers who could contribute are sophomore Hannah Coughlin (Dublin/Scioto), who did not play last season; freshman Shannon Delaney (Delaware/Olentangy); freshman guard Linda Stover (Ostrander/Delaware Christian), who led the district in scoring and was a second-team all-district selection in high school; and freshman guard Elyse Wenger (Loveland).

Ohio Wesleyan opens the season at the Anderson Tip-Off Tournament, featuring a field that also includes St. Mary’s (Ind.) and Robert Morris (Ill.). A non-conference game against Franklin follows before the Olivet Thanksgiving Tournament, which also includes Notre Dame (Ohio) and Carnegie Mellon. The NCAC schedule opens in early December against Earlham, and a game with Otterbein concludes the pre-holiday portion of the schedule.

The Bishops send off 2008 by hosting their Bishop Classic “Hoops for Hope” tournament, with Heidelberg, Northwestern Ohio and Washington & Jefferson coming to Delaware. The rest of the conference schedule will be competitive with defending champion Kenyon, defending tournament champion Denison, and perennial powers Wittenberg and Allegheny highlighting NCAC competition.

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