Talented, Experienced Scots Could Make Noise in the NCAC

Wenz and Krister highlight women's basketball squad which boasts 13 returning letterwinners

Behind the league’s two-time scoring champ, senior guard Kym Wenz, and Kaitlin Krister’s dynamic presence in the post, The College of Wooster women’s basketball team, which boasts 13 returning letterwinners, has the talent and experience to make some noise in the North Coast Athletic Conference in its 2009-10 campaign.

According to 13th-year head coach Lisa Campanell Komara, the Fighting Scots are much quicker than in years past, and she plans on utilizing the team’s strengths by implementing a more aggressive, up-tempo playing style. In order to do this she is going to need her squad to move up and down the court with a purpose, something Wenz has had no problems doing throughout the last three seasons.

For the second time in her career, Wenz was made an all-league selection in 2008-09, and she also became only the second player in school history to garner all-region accolades. Wenz paced the NCAC with a league-high 18.6 points per game, a scoring clip that hadn’t been reached by a Wooster player in 12 years, and equally noteworthy, the 5’7” shooting guard hauled in 5.2 rebounds and swiped an NCAC-leading 2.5 steals per game.

“Kym is a very competitive and intense individual,” said Campanell Komara. “When the game is on the line, she’s going to want the ball. But she does a great job sharing the ball, too. She knows how to move the ball around inside and get the post players involved.”

One player that Wenz will be looking to in the paint is returning senior, Krister, whose ability to dominate underneath the basket earned her a spot on the all-NCAC Second Team last season. Krister proved to be a triple-threat in the post, as she landed among the league’s best in scoring (12.3 ppg), rebounding (8.2 rpg), and blocked shots (1.04 bpg) during a season in which she recorded seven double-doubles.

Her work during the summer has earned rave reviews from the coaching staff, and Campanell Komara says she expects Krister to be an integral part in making the Scots’ new philosophy work.

“She’s gotten a lot stronger and quicker, and she looks really good,” said Campanell Komara. “She can get up and down the court, run it end to end, and that’s going to help us a lot to have a post player who can do those things. She knows how to locate shooters when they are spotting up, but this year we think she may take her own offensive game to the next level.”

Along with Wenz and Krister, there are also five other seniors, including Deanna Pickett, who worked her way into the starting lineup last season as a wing player. Colleen Goodwillie will work along the perimeter and provide a 3-point threat, and Becca Hartsock, who Campanell Komara calls the team’s “defensive specialist,” will be back to add depth at the forward position.

Another exciting development heading into the season has been the progress of Keshia Butler and Samantha Justice, who both shared the point guard duties last season as first-year players and will once again be competing for playing time. Butler led the Scots with 77 assists, and Justice pulled down 64 rebounds and tallied 25 steals. Both players have unique skill sets, and the coaching staff is eager to get them involved in the game plan.

“Keshia has great breakaway ability,” said Campanell Komara. “She can grab a rebound and take it all the way down and score on the other end. Her ability to penetrate is her biggest asset. Samantha is a much more physical player who can rebound extremely well at the guard position. She has a nice midrange game, and I think we are going to see that more this season.”

Along with the always-challenging 16 games against NCAC opponents, this season’s schedule will provide some new wrinkles along the way. The season will open on Nov. 16 when the Scots host local program, John Carroll University, a team in which Wooster has not competed against since the 2005-06 season. Alma College and Defiance College are also opponents that did not appear on last season’s schedule, and a road game with Trine University will mark the first time Wooster has played the Thunder in school history. Campanell Komara also notes the Case Western Reserve University tilt at Cleveland, Ohio, on Nov. 28 as another key contest.

BACKCOURT

Wenz has started more games (65) than anyone else on the squad heading into her senior season, and her experience will be invaluable in leading the Scots’ backcourt. Last season she averaged almost 33 minutes per game, and not only led Wooster in scoring in 17 games, but also was the team’s leading rebounder nine times. Her ability to generate points at the foul line has been remarkable, as she was second in the NCAC last season in free throws made (124) and free throw percentage (.844). Campanell Komara says Wenz has gotten stronger over the summer, and she will continue to be the go-to player on the court.

At point guard, Butler averaged 22 minutes per game last season and led the Scots in assists (77). Her breakaway speed and ability to succeed as an on ball defender as a first-year player will uphold her value in the backcourt rotation during her sophomore campaign. Justice will bring a more bruising style to the point guard position, as Campanell Komara says her strength allows her to penetrate to the basket extremely well. Last season, Justice was second on the team in steals (25), and like Wenz, was solid on the glass in averaging 2.7 boards per game.

Pickett brings a unique skill set to the backcourt, as her size (5’9”) and ability to score around the basket make her tough to guard. Her high percentage shooting (.456) and desire to snag rebounds (3.5 rpg) allows her the opportunity to play out on the wing and in the paint depending on the situation. Campanell Komara says she is a complete player who sets screens, gets rebounds, and provides an extra scoring spark when asked.

Also adding to a solid backcourt will be Taylor Keegan, Goodwille and Sarah Abboud. Keegan is a legitimate 3-point threat that has the versatility to play most positions on the court. Goodwillie, who played in all 26 games last season, is a good ball handler who passes well and will provide leadership. Abboud picked up more playing time as her freshmen season progressed, and will add depth as a mid-range shooter.

Two players that missed last season but will return to the Scots during this year’s campaign are Kelly Aughenbaugh and Priscilla Staples. Aughenbaugh led the team in steals (36) two seasons ago and will add a defensive spark to the lineup, while Staples was the team’s starting point guard during the 2007-08 season, averaging 2.9 points and 2.6 assists per game.

FRONTCOURT

Led by Krister, the Scots’ have an athletic and versatile frontcourt that mixes size and speed underneath the basket. Krister was one of only two players in the NCAC last season to average over 12 points and eight rebounds a game. Campanell Komara says Krister spent time developing her ball-handling skills and mid-range game this summer, which will make her an even more dynamic player.

Hartsock will continue being utilized in the Scots’ game plan, as her ability to outwork her opponents provides a spark on both ends of the court. Despite her size (5’8”), Hartsock is a tough rebounder underneath the basket, and her 14 steals last season were sixth-best on the team. Kinsey Walker, who played in 21 games last season despite dealing with a foot injury, returns healthy and will look to continue finishing shots at the same clip she did as a freshman (.528 field goal percentage).

Also returning are sophomores Christina Cruce and Samantha Sulzer who both appeared in limited roles last season. Cruce is a big presence inside (6’2”) who makes it hard on opposing shooters with her reach and shot blocking ability. Sulzer adds speed at the forward position, and Campanell Komara believes she will be an asset as the Scots’ try and become a more up-tempo offense. Freshman Jessica Winger, who has impressed at practice, also has a chance to earn regular playing time in the frontcourt.