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| Junior Kelsey Simonds (Middleboro, Mass.) returns after an All-America sophomore campaign that saw her average 17 points and eight rebounds a game, while setting the school record for blocked shots in a season (73). |
Stonehill Picked Second In Preseason Coaches' Poll
South Easton, Mass. - Not many times do you return four of your top five scorers, three starters - one of them being an All-American - from a conference Championship team and find yourself an underdog.
That is the case for the 2008-09 Stonehill squad, who despite winning their first regular season title since the 1994-95 season and claiming the first Northeast-10 Tournament title since 1996-97, reside in the same conference as Elite Eight participant, Franklin Pierce, as well as three other teams that won 20 or more games a season ago.
As a result, the Skyhawks were picked to finish second in a poll of the 15 Northeast-10 coaches it was recently announced. The Ravens, who finished 2007-08 a game behind Stonehill in the final regular season standings, received 12 first-place votes, while the Skyhawks, who had the second-most wins in a single season last year (27), collected the other three.
Luckily for the Skyhawks, they have one of the best players in the Northeast-10 in junior Kelsey Simonds (Middleboro, Mass.). The aforementioned WBCA honorable mention All-America returns for her third season on the court after a sophomore campaign that saw her average 17 points and eight rebounds a night. She reached double figures in 31 of 32 contests last season and recorded nine double-doubles - most of any returning player in the Northeast-10. Simonds' name was splashed all over the Conference's statistical leaders as she ranked fifth in scoring, seventh in rebounds and first in field goal percentage. Her greatest asset might be on the defensive end however, where she recorded a school record 73 blocks, a total that also led the Northeast-10. She had five games a season ago where she swatted away five shots, including a dominating 22-point, five-rebound, five-assist performance in just 21 minutes in the Northeast-10 Championship game.
Simonds has one of the best sidekicks in the league in senior Bethany Tighe (North Easton, Mass.). The duo were the only two teammates in the Northeast-10 to appear in the top 20 in scoring and top 10 in rebounding a season ago. A versatile player, who can score (10.6), rebound (7.6), defend and knock down the three-pointer, Tighe emerged as a force during her junior season where she started the final 31 games. She set career highs in points (22) against then-defending national champion, Southern Connecticut and grabbed 19 rebounds in a win at Bentley. She opened the season scoring double figures in seven straight games and had six games during the season where she reached double figure rebounds, including three double-doubles. Her rugged style sent her to the free throw line 99 times, a place she is extremely comfortable, connecting on 85 percent of her attempts, good for third in the league.
In addition to Simonds and Tighe, the Skyhawks showcase several reserves along the frontline that with their height and some more game experience should provide excellent depth. Junior Erin Gray (Clifton Park, N.Y.) played in all 32 games in her first season with Stonehill, and provided a spark off the bench in around 12 minutes of action per game. She had two double figure scoring games, including an eight-for-eight, 18-point showing in just 20 minutes of action in a win over Bentley. An excellent rebounder, Gray had seven games in which she played less than 20 minutes and had five rebounds or more. In a two game stretch against Southern Connecticut and Bentley, she had 17 rebounds in 32 minutes.
6-foot sophomore Amanda Smith (Penacook, N.H.) saw time in 15 contests and made the most of her opportunities, making eight of her 11 shots and corralling 18 rebounds in 61 minutes of playing time. Junior Erin Sheehan (North Easton, Mass.), who joined the team midway through the season last year, provides depth and defensive help at 6-foot-3. Joining them up front are freshmen Tania Williams (South Setauket, N.Y.) and Laura Discenza (Shelton, Conn.). Williams, a 1,000-point scorer as a prep player, averaged a double-double in her senior season and comes from an athletic family with both of her parents being former student-athletes. Discenza, meanwhile, earned honorable mention all-league honors as a senior and should provide extended depth to an already deep frontline.
Traditionally, wing players have flourished in head coach Trish Brown's system and this year's squad features a pair who are perfect examples. Junior Megan Methven (Corning, N.Y.) is one of the most dangerous long-range bombers in the Conference and has established herself as a threat from anywhere on the court. She already ranks fourth on the school's all-time list with 152 career three-pointers. A season ago, she led the Northeast-10 in three-pointers made per game (2.38) and was sixth in the league 37 percent. She is capable of scoring binges that can last for games, which was the case against Assumption and St. Rose last season when she scored 25 and 22 points, respectively, while going a combined nine-for-14 from behind the arc. She exploded for 25 points and seven three-pointers in a loss at Franklin Pierce and had five other games where she dropped in at least four triples. In fact, there were only three games a season ago when she didn't make a three-pointer.
Sophomore Kristen McWhirter (Melvin Village, N.H.) burst onto the scene in the first game of the year, posting 16 points and eight rebounds in her first collegiate contest and didn't stop until a Northeast-10 All-Rookie Team selection at the end of a breakout year. She recorded double figure games in her first three contests and wrapped up her inaugural campaign averaging 6.7 points and 2.6 rebounds. At 5-foot-10, McWhirter was also a threat from behind the arc, connecting on 34 percent of her 116 attempts. She earned Rookie of the Week honors following a pair of games late in the season that helped the Skyhawks solidify the Northeast-10 title. In home wins over Bryant and Merrimack she averaged 13.5 points and drained seven of 11 shots from international waters.
In addition to McWhirter and Methven, newcomer Priscilla Dodoo (Worcester, Mass.) will look to crack the perimeter rotation. Ultra-athletic at 5-foot-10, Dodoo could see minutes because of her defensive ability.
Anytime you lose an All-American, your program feels it. Erika Stupinski '08 played nearly 1,100 minutes a season ago at the point guard position, making life easy for everyone around her as she fell four assists shy of breaking the school record for assists in a single season. With all that said, several candidates are vying to take up the minutes she left behind. The incumbent of that group is junior Steph Pintal (Nashua, N.H.), who appeared in 31 games a season ago. She made her first career start in the home win over St. Anselm, having the best statistical game of her career, handing out four assists and grabbing four rebounds. Overall, she had 18 assists and 14 steals while providing a breather on most occasions to Stupinski.
Also looking to step forward is sophomore Emily Rousseau (Biddeford, Maine), a transfer from the University of Maine, who started 16 games for the Black Bears in 2007-08. She was the team's fourth leading scorer, while shooting 35 percent from behind the arc. During her freshman season, she was named America East Rookie of the Week on consecutive weeks and finished eighth in the conference in three-point percentage.
Two freshmen - Cori O'Kane (Pocassett, Mass.) and Kristen Peck (Lakeville, Mass.) will also look to earn time in the backcourt. O'Kane, the Central Catholic League Most Valuable Player as a senior, helped her prep team to a state title as a sophomore and was a four-time league champion. Peck, meanwhile, was a multi-sport star and averaged 10 points and four assists in her senior year. Both should provide extended depth for whoever handles the majority of the ballhandling duties.
With a wealth of talent returning - including a rising group of underclassmen - along with the arrival of several heralded freshmen, wrestling the champion crowns away from the Skyhawks won't be an easy task.