11/18 - OUTLOOK: Bruins Expect to Compete in NWC Race Despite Loss of Three All-Conference Players
NEWBERG, Ore. - There are big shoes to fill in the George Fox University women's basketball lineup for the 2002-03 season - three pairs, to be exact.
Gone from last year's team are All-Northwest Conference First Team performers Heather Doud (14.1 ppg, 7.3 rpg) at post and Nicole Prazeau (11.7 ppg, 4.3 rpg) at wing, and Second Team selection Becky Thompson (6.9 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 124 assists, 77 steals) at point guard. They were key components on a team that began the season 11-0, was ranked as high as 6th in the nation at one point, and finished 20-6 overall and 11-5 (3rd) in the conference. Nevertheless, with two fine returning starters and a wealth of talent to step into the breach, head coach Scott Rueck believes this year's Bruins have the potential to be a force in the conference race once again.
"Our goal every year is to win the conference, and this year is no different," admits Rueck, whose six-year record at George Fox stands at 115-39, a .747 winning percentage. "But we do have a lot of question marks. We have one senior and two returning starters who will lead with their experience, but the newcomers we have must step up for us. Our focus this pre-season has been on them learning the fundamentals of our system as quickly as possibly and executing them successfully. I have seen great things so far and am optimistic that our youth will mature sooner rather than later."
Two Starters and Eight Players Returning
Returning at one post position is Darby Cave (6-0 Jr., Portland, Ore.), who averaged 11.3 points and 5.2 rebounds a game while shooting .508 from the floor. "Darby is one of our emotional leaders who plays the game with passion," says Rueck. "She is in the best shape of her career, and has expanded her game to be even more of an offensive threat while providing us with interior defense and rebounding. We expect her to have an outstanding junior year as she continues to fulfill a role as one of our 'go-to' players."
Also back at a starting wing is Amy Fitch (5-8 Jr., Ritzville, Wash.), who posted numbers of 5.6 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game. Rueck calls her "one of the most gifted athletes I've ever coached and one of the best defensive players on the team. Amy will be a little bit more of a scorer, look to rebound a little more, and be more vocal in her leadership."
The Bruins' lone senior is Emily Ruggles (5-11 Sr., Eugene, Ore.), who averaged 2.9 points and 2.3 boards per game. "Emily is a coach's dream as far as her work ethic and has made herself into a valuable utility player who will help us in the 3, 4, or 5 spots," Rueck comments. "She has continued to increase her strength, and her endurance continues to improve. She understands what we are trying to do better than anyone, and her experience as the only player left from our first-ever conference championship in 2000 will make her a vital leader on this year's young team."
Stepping in at either a wing or post will be Liz Clark (5-9 So., Elbe, Wash.), who scored at a 6.2 clip with 4.8 rebounds and was the Bruins' top sub as a freshman. "Liz has one speed - all out, " remarks Rueck. "She's another emotional leader whose enthusiasm rubs off on everyone. She is an outstanding team defender who is seemingly always around the ball. She is playing exceptional basketball right now and is stepping into a leadership role as a sophomore."
Melissa Alexander (5-3 So., Portland, Ore.) is battling for the starting point guard slot after posting figures of 3.0 points and 1.5 rebounds a game in a backup role last season. "Melissa is becoming exactly what we need her to be at the point," notes Rueck. "She is getting the ball where it needs to be at the right time, she can penetrate and score, plays tough defense, and is gaining the knowledge needed in being our floor leader every day."
Sarah Myhre (6-0 So., Corvallis, Ore.), who averaged 3.9 points and 3.2 rebounds with a .522 shooting percentage last season, will get a long look at both the 4 and 5 positions. "Sarah's a winner who gives us toughness inside," says Rueck. "The thing that impressed me the most last year was her ability to step it up in big games; every time we called on her in critical situations, she came through."
The team's 7th returning letterwinner, Jessica Baynes (5-11 So., Joseph, Ore.) is probably out for the season after suffering a torn ACL in fall practice. She averaged 0.3 points and 1.0 rebounds a game in limited action last year.
The Bruins also have Kellie Thomas (5-10 Fr., Medford, Ore.), who played in two games before taking a medical red-shirt year, back at full strength. After struggling with anemia during the season, she is back "close to 100 per cent, " says Rueck. "She is extremely skilled and has a great shot at starting at the 3 position."
Newcomers Expected to Contribute Immediately
Rueck and assistant coaches Mike Warmanen and Kerry Rueck are absolutely delighted with this year's recruiting class, which includes two junior college transfers and five freshmen.
"Heidi Collier (5-8 Jr., Blaine, Wash.) and Laura Koval (5-8 Jr., Tacoma, Wash.) are transfers from Whatcom Community College with solid basketball backgrounds and college experience," says Rueck. "I am looking for both Heidi and Laura to add physical and mental toughness to our team. They've done a lot of winning in their careers and are great additions."
Of rookie point guard Kim Leith (5-7 Fr., Sherwood, Ore.), Rueck says, "She has as much talent as anyone I've coached. She will help us at either the point or the wing, and there will certainly be situations where she and Melissa will be in the lineup at the same time."
Tiffany Gugel (5-7 Fr., Douglas, Ore.) is an all-around athlete who will be both a sprinter and jumper for the George Fox track team in the spring. "She is perhaps the most powerful athlete we have," says Rueck, "and plays with great intensity and heart. She gives us added toughness and depth at the wing."
Erin Powers (5-11 Fr., Salem, Ore.) suffered a torn ACL last December, then had corrective surgery on it again in August, and is still trying to regain full strength. "She's probably about 80% right now," assesses Rueck. "Erin is such a gifted athlete and her understanding of the game is already at a high level. As she regains her speed and quickness, she will contribute immediately at the 3 and 4."
Another player just bouncing back from hernia surgery is Jessica Gama (5-11 Fr., Troutdale, Ore.), an outstanding rebounder who "plays bigger than her 5-11 height," says Rueck. "Jess had a great high school career and is used to being the 'go-to' player in the post. She will be able to play at either post position."
Brittanie Strutz (5-11 Fr., Oregon City, Ore.) comes from perennial state power Oregon City High. "Britt is very athletic and strong," observes Rueck. "She is picking up our system quickly and has already proven to be a relentless worker. She has obviously been very well coached and gives us much-needed depth to our 5 position."
How Good How Soon?
"I honestly don't know how good we can be, or how soon, but I love everything about this group," says Rueck enthusiastically. "They already have jelled into a team. They care about each other and they have fun together. They understand how hard they have to work to be successful and they've embraced that. Watching how focused they are on becoming a great basketball team has been exciting. They have been consistently giving 'level 10' efforts in practice and that is sure to translate into good things on game nights. That said, if this team continues to do what they are doing, there's no doubt we will see the potential of this team in February."
The Bruins open the season on Saturday, Nov. 23, at Division II Seattle University at 5:00 p.m., followed by their home opener on Tuesday, Nov. 26, against Western Baptist College at 7:30 p.m. Seven of the Bruins' nine non-conference games are on the road or at neutral sites, and six of them are against D-II or NAIA schools, so the team will be tested early.
"I'd be foolish to expect us to get off to an 11-0 start like we did last year," admits Rueck. "Our non-conference schedule is much tougher this season. I just want us to play hard and smart and improve every time out, so that when conference play rolls around after the holidays, we'll be ready."