Women's Basketball

--- George Fox Women's Basketball 2004-05 Preview ---

NEWBERG, Ore. - A solid nucleus of five returning veterans, surrounded by ten talented newcomers, is a combination head coach Scott Rueck hopes will restore his George Fox University Bruins to a place of prominence in the Northwest Conference women's basketball race in 2004-05.

The Bruins' 13-12 overall record last year was their 11th winning season in a row and eighth straight under Rueck, whose record during that time is 143-61. Their 7-9 record in conference play, however, left them in 5th place and out of the running for the NWC title, a condition George Fox had not found itself in for several years.

"Our five returning players have been a strong core group who have set the tone for our new players this fall, instilling a great work ethic in each of them," says Rueck with admiration. "Depth will be a strength for us and I believe we could be in the conference mix once again."

Veterans Ready to Run the Show

"Each of our returning players have come back in the best shape of their careers, they've improved and I believe they are ready to step up," notes Rueck.

The primary leadership for this year's team is expected to come from the wings, where two starters and one part-time starter return. Kellie Thomas (5-10, Jr., Medford, Ore.) averaged 12.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game last year, earning Honorable Mention All-Conference honors. Liz Clark (5-9, Sr., Elbe, Wash.) ranked 2nd in the NWC in rebounding (8.5 rpg) while scoring at a 7.3 clip. Kim Leith (5-7, Jr., Sherwood, Ore.) finished the year in the starting line-up and wound up leading the league in 3-pointers (1.96 per game) while averaging 11.8 points an outing.

"Kellie was used some at the point last year and that took her away from her strengths which are at the wing position," Rueck points out. "Scoring is her strength, though, and with the newcomers we have at the point, she will be able to focus on that again. She is set for a great year."

Rueck calls Clark his "enforcer; she is physically and emotionally tenacious, and the team feeds off her intensity. We expect her to challenge once again for the conference lead in rebounding, and her scoring contribution is likely to increase as she has continued to develop that part of her game."

Leith is "on a mission," says Rueck. "She spent the off-season in the gym, working on her game, and it has paid off. She has more confidence defensively, is making great decisions with the basketball, and continues to be one of our top offensive threats."

Robin Taylor (5-7, So., Bend, Ore.) saw considerable action at the wing and point as a freshman, averaging 4.8 points playing in every game. Rueck says "she might be our most passionate player. She is absolutely in love with the game of basketball. She is determined to make an impact and will compete for a starting spot. She fits into what we are doing very well, and has shown tremendous growth in her half-court execution."

With the graduation of Second Team All-Conference post Darby Cave (12.8 ppg, 7.4 rpg, .569 field goal pct.), the interior is wide open, but Erin Powers (5-11, So., Salem, Ore.) appears ready to step into the breech. She averaged 1.7 points and 1.9 rebounds while playing 10 minutes a game as a red-shirt freshman last year, but worked extremely hard during the summer to be ready for this year.

"Erin got serious about rehabbing a knee injury she suffered two years ago, got a personal trainer, and has come back in the best shape, physically and mentally, since before her injury," Rueck affirms. "She is a very smart player with a high basketball IQ, and now she feels the freedom to play aggressively, both in guarding the post position and scoring. I'm excited to watch Erin this season knowing what she's been through the past couple years. It's a great story."

Newcomers Will Be Heavily Counted On

Many teams might be apprehensive about relying on a bench filled almost entirely by freshmen - but Rueck thinks theses are no ordinary newcomers, saying "they are talented, they are eager to learn, they have picked up our system quickly, and they all have the opportunity to earn their share of playing time."

The Bruins boast a trio of new point guards in Tiffany Behary (5-6, Fr., Lake Oswego, Ore.), Karissa Boyd (5-5, Fr., Oregon City, Ore.), and Jordan Tangonan (5-5, Fr., Ewa, Hawaii).

"Tiffany plays with such a high level of intensity and has the ability to sustain it for long periods of time," notes Rueck. "She is physically strong, sees the floor well, is a tenacious defender, and a constant scoring threat. Karissa ran a state championship program at Oregon City and will challenge for a starting spot. She is an excellent passer who understands where the ball needs to be and gets it there on time. Her court vision is extraordinary. Jordan comes to us from a program that stresses and drills fundamentals, and while she needs to make strides in her strength and explosiveness this year, she has every skill necessary to become an outstanding point guard at this level."

While experienced players will probably see most of the minutes at the wings, the Bruins have a new quartet of perimeter shooters who bring smiles to the coach's face in Amy Layton (5-7, Fr., Toledo, Wash.), Kaleigha (Kali) Ramey (5-8, Fr., Spokane, Wash.), Mandee Spotts (6-1, Fr., Hillsboro, Ore.), and Jamie Hubka (5-7, Fr., Bellingham, Wash.).

"Amy is an outstanding shooter who is used to a scorer's role, although in high school, she did it while also running the point. She is a very good athlete who should quickly adjust to the college game. Kali is another fine athlete and outstanding defender who simply needs time to adapt from high school to the college game. Mandee, like Kali, just needs to get up to speed at the college level; her biggest adjustment will be playing the wing at 6-1, but she brings size and 3-point shooting to the table. Jaime has been slowed by mono the last couple of weeks and will need some time to catch up, but she comes from a great high school program and is an excellent 3-point shooter and defender."

Challenging for the post position are Katy Campbell (6-1, Fr., Springfield, Ore.), Melissa Marek-Farris (6-1, Fr., Glide, Ore.), and Jordan Wilde (5-11, Fr., Snohomish, Wash.).

"Katy will be an impact player from day one," asserts Rueck. "She is a post player with a complete game; a very high basketball IQ, is very comfortable on the perimeter, shoots the 3, and can score in the paint. Melissa is an all-around athlete with unlimited potential who moves effortlessly, and her quickness gives her a real advantage. Her athletic gifts including shot-blocking, rebounding, and she runs the floor better than any post I've coached. Jordan comes from a top-notch program and is an excellent post defender. She is capable of scoring on the block or the three point line, understands the game very well, and is an outstanding passer."

Summary

If George Fox is to be a factor in what promises to be a wide-open conference race this season, the Bruins must use their increased athleticism to their advantage. "We will need to be a little bit more aggressive, both on the offensive end and the defensive end," assesses Rueck.

Pointing to the team's higher-than-usual number of turnovers last year, Rueck added, "We lost seven games last year by eight points or less, and too often it was a case of turnovers or mistakes in judgment late in a game that cost us. I believe we have improved in our decision making and our ability to pass the ball this year. The ability to see the floor should enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of our team offensively.

"I am excited about the way the younger players on our team have risen to the challenge of playing at this level and seemed to mature very quickly, and how our veterans have helped to bring them along. Based on our record a year ago and the fact that we are as young as we are the expectations of this team are lower than in past years. That is understandable. That being said, I believe this team has the talent to compete with top teams in the conference. I'm really looking forward to the season."

Season Opener

The Bruins open the season Nov. 19-20 in the Seattle Pacific University Invitational in Seattle, Wash., with a pair of games against NCAA Division II opponents, facing Central Washington University Friday at 1:00 p.m. and tournament host Seattle Pacific Saturday at 5:00 p.m.

"Central Washington was picked to finish 3rd in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference and Seattle Pacific is ranked 3rd in the nation in the NCAA Division II pre-season poll," notes Rueck. "We understand the talent that we will be facing and are looking forward to the challenge of playing against two excellent teams. It will be a great learning experience and it will help to prepare us for Northwest Conference play."

The Bruins do not play at home until Dec. 9 when they will host Western Baptist College.