2008 Woodie Awards
Women's Basketball Preview
Jose Ortiz
Issue date: 11/18/04 Section: Sports
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Entering the 2004-2005 season, if the women's basketball team could be summed up in a few words, intense, diligent, and competitive would be some of the first to come to mind. Unfortunately for new Head Coach, Beth O'Boyle, youthful is another word as well as inexperienced that may be all too prevalent when discussing the new-look Red Hawks.
Out of a team of 14 players, there are no seniors, six freshmen, and only five players who were active on last season's 21 - 7 squad. The bad news is that one of the players missing, Ebony Allen, was the team's second most productive scorer and rebounder, and was a member of the NJAC's All Conference team in the 2003-2004 season. However, the good news is that last year's Rookie of the Year, and the Red Hawk's leading scorer and rebounder, Stephanie Machin, will be back as team captain and ready to lead the Lady Hawks to a winning season.
"We look for Stephanie Machin to be a key contributor this season," said O'Boyle. "But I like to play up tempo. We're going to look for a lot of players to contribute."
If their practice sessions are any sign, the strength of the 04-05 Red Hawks will lie in their defensive intensity, and a high level of competition. Strong defense to create turnovers, and capable post players will be a big offensive generator for the Lady Hawks who go into this year's season as a bit of an underdog, picked to finish sixth.
Rowan (the favorite to win the NJAC), TCNJ, and William Paterson make up the power teams in the conference this season.
"We want to play as competitive a schedule as possible, so that when we get to the playoffs, we aren't just happy to be here," O'Boyle said. She has added three top-20 programs (Kings, Lebanon Valley, and SUNY Farmingdale) to the Red Hawk schedule this year in hopes that it will elevate the play of the team.
Along with Machin, who averaged a double-double last season, six-foot and one-inch Amanda Mullaney, and Ferin Catlett are both returning this season to add to the Red Hawk's strong interior presence. The Red Hawk's huge size advantage in the NJAC may be able to make up for a lack of experience.
Out of a team of 14 players, there are no seniors, six freshmen, and only five players who were active on last season's 21 - 7 squad. The bad news is that one of the players missing, Ebony Allen, was the team's second most productive scorer and rebounder, and was a member of the NJAC's All Conference team in the 2003-2004 season. However, the good news is that last year's Rookie of the Year, and the Red Hawk's leading scorer and rebounder, Stephanie Machin, will be back as team captain and ready to lead the Lady Hawks to a winning season.
"We look for Stephanie Machin to be a key contributor this season," said O'Boyle. "But I like to play up tempo. We're going to look for a lot of players to contribute."
If their practice sessions are any sign, the strength of the 04-05 Red Hawks will lie in their defensive intensity, and a high level of competition. Strong defense to create turnovers, and capable post players will be a big offensive generator for the Lady Hawks who go into this year's season as a bit of an underdog, picked to finish sixth.
Rowan (the favorite to win the NJAC), TCNJ, and William Paterson make up the power teams in the conference this season.
"We want to play as competitive a schedule as possible, so that when we get to the playoffs, we aren't just happy to be here," O'Boyle said. She has added three top-20 programs (Kings, Lebanon Valley, and SUNY Farmingdale) to the Red Hawk schedule this year in hopes that it will elevate the play of the team.
Along with Machin, who averaged a double-double last season, six-foot and one-inch Amanda Mullaney, and Ferin Catlett are both returning this season to add to the Red Hawk's strong interior presence. The Red Hawk's huge size advantage in the NJAC may be able to make up for a lack of experience.