11/15 - PREVIEW: Bruins Aim for 14th Straight Winning Season with Mix of Experience and Youth
NEWBERG, Ore. - For 13 straight seasons, the George Fox University women's basketball program has posted winning records, creating a legacy of three Northwest Conference championships, six post-season playoff appearances, and regular mention in national polls. What will it take for the 2006-07 Bruins to make it 14 in a row?
"We need to compete every day and be relentless," says veteran coach Scott Rueck, whose teams have gone 184-73 (.716) in his 10 seasons at the helm. "Our seven returning players need to consistently play at a high level and our eight newcomers will need to learn our system and quickly find themselves within it."
The Bruins are coming off a 19-6 campaign that began with an 11-0 start, tying records for most consecutive wins and most wins to open a season, before untimely injuries short-circuited the team's hopes of a conference championship repeat. Gone from that team are eight letterwinners and three starters, including First Team All-Conference and Third Team All-West Region wing Kim Leith, the NWC Player of the Year in 2004-05 when the Bruins reached the NCAA Tournament's "Elite Eight". Leith averaged 13.8 points per game as a senior, ending her career as the Bruins' all-time leader in three-point field goals (205) and free throw percentage (.811) and fourth-highest scorer (1,348 points).
Returnees
If there is anyone on the team capable of producing Leith-type numbers for the Bruins again, it would be the team's lone senior and one of this year's co-captains, wing Robin Taylor (5-7 Sr., Bend, Ore. / Mountain View HS), who had an outstanding year of her own in earning Second Team All-Conference honors. While averaging 13.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.7 assists a game, she led the conference in field goal percentage (.525), was 4th in three-point field goal percentage (.429), and was 5th in free throw percentage (.784).
"We need Robin to have a year like she had a year ago, when she played at a very high level," says Rueck. "As our only senior, we don't want her to feel the pressure of trying to do too many things, to try to take it all upon her own shoulders, but just to play within herself. She has a great opportunity to lead this team and I am confident she will rise to the occasion throughout the season."
Katy Campbell (6-1 Jr., Springfield, Ore. / Thurston HS), who received All-Conference honorable mention last year after averaging 8.6 points and 6.4 rebounds (7th in the league) with a .461 field goal percentage (11th in the league), is the Bruins' other returning starter and co-captain. A versatile player, she is equally at home at a forward or a wing.
"Katy is just a great all-around basketball player," comments Rueck. "She sees the floor well, can handle the ball, and can step out and shoot the three and is an excellent low post scorer. We need her to produce for us every night, and provide a physical presence and toughness."
Expected to move in at the starting center position is Melissa Marek-Farris (6-1 Jr., Glide, Ore. / Glide HS), who posted numbers of 3.8 points and 2.2 rebounds a game in a reserve role last year and was second on the team with 17 blocked shots.
"Melissa worked hard in the off-season and is playing the best basketball of her life," notes Rueck. "She may be the quickest post player I've coached. She has improved her perimeter game and free throw shooting, and with an opportunity to have a major role on this team, she has absolutely embraced it."
The Bruins' tallest player is Kristen Shielee (6-3 So., Gresham, Ore. / Gresham HS), who was hampered by a foot injury most of her freshman year, averaging 1.3 points and 2.0 rebounds in only three games. Healthy again, she should see a significant increase in playing time as another shot-blocking presence in the middle.
"I am very pleased for Kristen that she is healthy, and for our team because she has a unique impact on games when she's in there," says Rueck. "She is the tallest player and most intimidating shot blocker I've coached. She has worked hard to be ready and we expect her to play significant minutes."
At wing, the Bruins have three returning players who will all be counted on for point production: Jaime Hubka (5-7 Jr., Bellingham, Wash. / Sehome HS), Kaleigha Ramey (5-8 Jr., Spokane, Wash. / Northwest Christian HS), and Mandee Spotts (6-1 Jr., Hillsboro, Ore. / Century HS). Hubka averaged 2.0 points a game, Ramey 3.6, and Spotts 2.1 while averaging about 10 minutes per game of playing time last year.
"Jaime, Kali, and Mandee have been playing behind some of the best wing players ever to play at Fox the last couple seasons and have a done a great job improving and maturing as basketball players," observes Rueck. "They provide us great depth at those two positions. Each brings a little something different than the others but all have the ability to score and defend. I'm looking for big things from each of them this season."
Newcomers
Leith's spot in the lineup will be filled by Nicole Hudson (5-8 Jr., Redmond, Ore. / Redmond HS), a transfer from Division I St. Francis University of Pennsylvania, where she played for back-to-back Northeast Conference champions. She gives the Bruins an immediate transfusion of skill, savvy, and a winning spirit.
"I've known Nicole since she was a sophomore in high school and am very excited about her being a Bruin," admits Rueck. "She will help fill the void left by Kim Leith. Although her range is what she's best known for, she is a complete player, and brings us toughness and winning experience from strong programs at Redmond and St. Francis."
The point guard position is wide-open, with three candidates vying for the position: B.B. Gardner (5-4 Fr., Zigzag, Ore. / Sandy HS), Lindsay Keener (5-7 Fr., Kenai, Alaska / Kenai Central), and Elisha Kampfe (5-4 Fr., Troy, Mont. / Troy HS).
"Some wonder if you can win with freshmen point guards, but we've had a couple of strong seasons over the years depending on a rookie or two at the point, so I know it's possible," says Rueck. "I think we've got a few who can play. B.B. is quick, sees the floor well, and has three-point range. Lindsay is a physical player who is strong driving the ball and getting us into our offense. Elisha is our fastest player and brings athleticism to the position."
Another possibility at the point is MaryAnne Samples (5-10 Fr., Kennewick, Wash. / Kennewick HS), although her primary position is at wing. Observes Rueck, "She gives us some height at the point, and I like her ability defensively in playing passing lanes and limiting the vision of smaller guards. She does a good job getting the team into its offense, and also has three-point range."
Rounding out the roster are three new posts: Mellisa Eastwold (6-0 Fr., Medford, Ore. / North Medford HS), Elise Kuenzi (5-10 Fr., Silverton, Ore. / Silverton HS), and Kelsi Leach (6-0 Fr., Placentia, Calif. / El Dorado HS).
"Mellisa is a slashing offensive threat and an outstanding defender and rebounder," says Rueck. "Elise is a feisty and physical player; she is an excellent rebounder and plays bigger than her height. Kelsi is a true center who comes from a strong program in Southern California; she's physical and a smart player."
Summary
"Overall, we're somewhat young, but I like our talent," says Rueck. "This group is just a pleasure to coach; they love the game, they work hard, are tough and resilient, and they are eager to learn. There are a lot of reasons for optimism; I like what I am seeing."
The 2006-07 season gets under way for the Bruins on Friday, Nov. 17, with a 6 p.m. home game against the Oregon Institute of Technology. Other NAIA teams the Bruins will meet this season include Northwest University, Concordia University-Portland, Montana State University-Northern, and Lewis-Clark State College, as well as strong NCAA Division III foes Bridgewater (Va.) College and two University of Wisconsin teams, Whitewater and Oshkosh. Toss in 16 games in the always-competitive Northwest Conference, and Rueck observes that "this is probably the toughest schedule we've ever had, there are no breaks, and I am confident our pre-season schedule will prepare us for conference play."