Women's b-ball takes Heidelberg

Last Friday in a scrimmage against Heidelberg College, The Lady Crimson showed that they are not the same team that finished 4-21 last year as they racked up a 77-48 victory.

Through all their upsets and tough losses last season, the team came together as a family unit.

They listened to one another. They helped one another. They took and gave from one another. "The team functioned as a family should," said first-year Regina Respert.

They vowed to return to the courts for the 1997-98 season as champions in heart and soul, and to show family is all you need to win.

In addition to new uniforms and a new team name, the team welcomes five new players, to assist their magnificent-seven. One factor that will play a key role in this season's success will be the team's full bench. Last season they only had eight players off of the bench.

Commenting on the new players, returning sophomore Monica Bush said, "They are willing to work hard and are dedicated to winning!"

The Lady Crimson, which were formerly made up of six first years, all lacked college ball experience. Now they are ready to prove experience is no longer a problem.

This past Friday they took the first steps in fulfilling their promise as they rolled over rival Heidelberg College in a pre-season scrimmage match-up. The Lady Crimson outperformed Heidelberg who had beat them by 20 points last season.

"Defensive intensity was the key to the team's performance on Friday night against Heidelberg," Coach Ann Gilbert said.

Some of the game's key players included returning sophomores, Bush and Ikeya Hillman (who were among last seasons All-NCAC selections) and first-year Heather Barbee. Also offering extended support in the form of defense, was sophomore Chamia Peterson.

On the team's performance Bush said, "We played better than a lot of us thought we would do."

Overall, the Lady Crimson functioned exceptionally well as a team and family, with everyone contributing to the teams success. The key role in their success was their consistency, a problem that eluded them last season.

"Consistency will be a plus this year due to increased depth and talent off the bench," Gilbert said.

On the team's feature success, returning sophomore Katy Durham-Hammer said, "I see the team winning all the games we lost by five to ten points last season."

This upcoming Monday the Lady Crimson will play host to Lake Community College. The scrimmage match will be the final of the pre-season. The season starts for the Ladies of Red on November 21, when they host the first-ever Lady Crimson Tournament.