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 Head Coach Kellie Harper, the second-winningest coach at Western Carolina, begins her fifth season at the helm of the Lady Catamount basketball program. |
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Oct. 17, 2008
Rebuilding is not in the vocabulary of Western Carolina women's basketball. The Lady Catamounts would rather use the word reload.
Coming off one of the most successful season in Lady Catamount basketball history, Western Carolina is looking to continue that success in the 2008-09 season. The club lost four key seniors from last season's squad but now glimpse to three talented current seniors and a host of returners and newcomers to continue to build the Western Carolina women's basketball legacy.
"We have returning players coming back with game experience," said Head Coach Kellie Harper. "We obviously did lose a bit with our four seniors, they are missed, but in respect to them we have to push forward and our returning players and newcomers believe in what we are doing. We are going to look very different"
The 2007-08 season was highlighted by a school record 25 wins, a first ever win over a top-25 opponent, defeating then No. 21/22 Louisville, a trio of players eclipsing 1,000 points and the club's second straight postseason appearance in the WNIT after reaching the Southern Conference finals for the third time in four years under Harper.
Now it is up to the 2008-09 edition to continue the winning tradition and it all starts with the Lady Catamount's three seniors - Lauren Powell, Kendra Eaton and Brooke Johnson. The trio of returning starters, each bring something different and dynamic to the floor.
Powell is a 6-0 guard that has long range behind the arch, ranking third in the career record books for three pointers with 169. She also became the 20th player in school history to eclipse 1,000 points and currently has 1,035 in her career.
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Eaton, a 6-0 forward, is a force inside for the Lady Catamounts. She started 33 of the 34 games last season scoring in double figures 10 times and averaging 5.0 rebounds per game.
"Kendra is as strong as ever," Harper said. "I think she is also looking to compete and push this team forward this year."
Johnson is perhaps the most anticipated player returning to the hardwood, after she was sidelined by an injury after playing just 11 games in the 2007-08 season. The 6-4 forward is a player to be reckoned with not only under the basket but behind the three-point arch. Before her injury on December 20, Johnson was averaging 11.9 points per game, scoring in double figures in nine of the 11 games and pulling down a career-high 20 rebounds against Middle Tennessee on December 2.
"Brooke has recently been released after her injury and looks much better and is improving on a daily bases," Harper said. "She is still not back where she was but we are hoping she gets there because we need her early. The kid is a talented player - she elevates our play to another level."
Another player to watch hit the court, and one that is has garnered interest, is 5-6 junior guard Jessica Jackson who sat out last season after transferring from South Florida. The hard-nosed player will be looked to run the point this season, distributing the ball to a host of talented and versatile returning players and newcomers.
"Jessica is as excited as I have ever seen someone to play basketball," Harper said. "I love that enthusiasm and I really think it goes over to the team. She tells me everyday how excited she is to get to play and we have high hopes for her."
Heather Swayne, a 6-0 junior guard, is one player that will be called upon to score. She saw action in all 34 games last season, picking up one start, scoring in double figures four times and notching a career-high 14 points against Elon.
"Heather is shooting the ball well and worked really hard this summer," Harper said. "We are going to need her to put the ball in the hole for us."
Kristen Feemster, a 6-0 forward, also saw action in all 34 games and scored in double figures twice. She tallied a career-high 11 points against Furman.
"I think you are going to see a much improved Kristen Feemster," Harper said. "And we are going to need that from her."
The Lady Catamounts pair of sophomores will also be players to watch.
Emily Clarke, a 5-10 guard/forward, was selected to the 2008 Southern Conference All-Freshmen Team also voted to the 2008 Southern Conference All-Tournament Second Team. She saw action in all 34 games, scored in double figures 11 times and scored a career-high 18 points in the first round of the WNIT.
"Emily takes advantage of her versatility," Harper said. "She is a smart, intelligent and all-around player."
Kendra Carroll, a 5-8 guard, played in 31 games last season and saw action in all 18 Southern Conference matches. She also scored in 22 of her 31 games.
"Kendra is a lot more confident this year," Harper said. "We asked her to work on her range this summer and she did and excited about what she will bring to the team this year."
The excitement continues to build with the four Lady Catamount freshmen. The tight-knit group brings talent and excitement to the club. The freshmen include: 5-10 forward/guard Diamond Hunnicutt; 5-10 forward Brittany Ferguson; 5-8 guard Kaila'Shea Menedez and 5-11 forward/center T.T. Belcher.
"The freshmen are fun to be around," Harper said. "They are easy to coach, they work hard and have a lot of energy, which is what we need. There is a reason we recruited that type of kid."
The 2008-09 schedule which includes the club's first-ever invitation to the Preseason WNIT facing North Carolina, a trip to Knoxville to play the 2008 NCAA National Champion Tennessee Lady Vols and a 13-game home slate highlighted by a visit from the Clemson Tigers.
"Once again, we are challenging our players with a tough schedule," Harper said. "Our players want to play the best and our mentality will be to go out and win every basketball game we play."
