WEST CHESTER, Pa. – West Chester University’s women’s basketball team tips off the 2010-11 campaign this Saturday afternoon with a 1 p.m. non-league contest against Wilmington University (Del.).
The women’s basketball team has a tradition of success. Coming into this season the Golden Ram’s have been to four consecutive Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) semifinals. With a mixture of experience and youth, the Rams will look to add to their storied tradition this season.
The 2010-11 edition of the Golden Rams represents the perfect combination of winning experience, with senior captains Megan Stewart and Mary Kate Serratelli, and a hint of youth in the form of 12 non-seniors.
West Chester is led by one of the most successful coaches in Division II, in veteran mentor, Deirdre Kane. She is entering her 24th season as head coach at West Chester and 26th overall. The Rams’ peerless leader and her ladies finished last year with a 19-10 record and a semifinal round appearance in the PSAC tournament. Kane is looking to continue in her winning ways as she works towards her 15th winning season and possibly sixth PSAC Eastern Division title.
“We fully expect to make it to the playoffs,” Kane said. “We have a wonderful combination of experience, blended with exuberant youth.”
Last year, the Golden Rams ended their season with a loss to California (Pa.) in a hard-fought semifinal round PSAC playoff game. Kane has been able to help get her women prepared to get back to the playoffs with a knowledgeable coaching staff, led by assistant coach Kiera Wooden.
Wooden is an inspiring student and teacher of the game and has been at Kane’s side each of the last seven years. Wooden translates her fiery personality that she possessed as a player into the women’s basketball team. Wooden is a role model for the expectations Kane has of her student-athletes.
The anticipation in the upcoming season for all the coaches is seen in their daily preparation to ensure that this year will be successful. This is seen in various individual workouts with players on the court and in the weight room. This team will be ready for the season opener against Wilmington.
The Golden Rams return 11 players from last year’s roster. These returnees will be able to help mold the young “exuberant” and talented recruiting class that the coaching staff has brought in this year. The Golden Rams return two premiere players from last year’s team in captains, Stewart and Serratelli.
Stewart, is coming off an excellent 2009-10 campaign where she started all 29 games and led the team in assists and steals. Stewart received the prestigious Carol Eckman Award for exemplifying sportsmanship and the values that Carol Eckman stood for during her years as coach at West Chester University.
Stewart was also the team’s scholar-athlete for the 2009-10 year and a PSAC academic honor roll recipient. This standout athlete will be the foundation for the Rams this winter and will help teach her young teammates how to win. Stewart is one of the school’s all-time leaders in assists. She has recorded over 100 assists over each of her first three years. She could challenge the school record for assists with another outstanding year.
Serratelli is also in her senior year. The Bethlehem, Pa., native has been an outstanding student-athlete on and off the court for West Chester. The Rams’ forward has been a passionate vocal leader during practices and games over her four years. She has played a vital role off the bench the past three seasons. However she will play a more significant role this year for Kane. Serratelli has remarkable range for a forward, she connected on 19 3-point field goals last season and makes for a difficult matchup for opposing forwards.
One of the questions coming into the 2010-11 season is how the Golden Rams will replace their dominant force in the middle from last season, Janelle Garber. Garber ended her career last season averaging 11 points and a little over five rebounds per contest. This will be a significant role for which Kane will have to find a way to compensate. Kane believes that Serratelli and sophomore Alex Lennon could possibly fill that empty void for the Golden Rams.
Lennon, the 6-1 forward/center is a second-year player. Last year, she recorded 39 blocked shots and 89 rebounds in only 21 games of action. Lennon’s 39 blocks led West Chester last year. Lennon showed her upside last year as a freshman. After an additional year in Kane’s system, and in the weight room, Lennon’s role will greatly increase in the 2010-11 campaign.
There are several returning starters, and one transfer, who will contribute to the overall success of this team. Players such as Allison Hostetter, Jillian Keefer, Dominique Adams, Lauren Commodari, Shamyra Hammond, transfer Jen Owens, Ambreelinne Ortman, Carly Strickland and Megan Kerrigan will all play a significant role in their role for the Rams.
One of the Rams’ most talented returning positions is the guard spot. Stewart will be the general on the floor. Playing off her will be Hostetter. The 5-7 guard from Oxford, Pa. finished last season averaging just under 10 points and three assists per game. Hostetter has the size of a guard, but plays tough underneath the hoop. She also ripped down six rebounds per contest last season.
Three other contributors to the guard position are Keefer, Adams and Hammond. Keefer returns for her junior year after averaging 7.5 points and three rebounds during her sophomore year. Her 5-11 frame creates mismatches on the perimeter, and she can be deadly from beyond the arc. Keefer will most likely fill a starting role for the Golden Rams when the curtain draws on the 2010-11 campaign Saturday.
Adams started 23 games for the Golden Rams last season. The high-energy senior will look to have another productive year. She is a leader both on and off the court and will be looked at to help lead the young West Chester team.
Hammond is a versatile player. The junior from Philadelphia, has the ability to penetrate the lane and then kick it outside to her teammates. Hammond may also see time at the point guard or shooting guard position this season, depending on matchups for each individual opponent.
Owens is a transfer from Bucks Community College. Owens adds depth to the Golden Rams roster heading into a tough slate this season.
Kane is very excited about her incoming recruiting class. The class consists of four freshmen, all of whom bring exciting upside to the Golden Rams.
Zona Smith hails from York (Pa.), where she played point guard for West York High School. She will be able to complement Stewart at the point, giving the Rams’ a 1-2 punch. Smith is a quick, pass-first point guard, who possesses unbelievable court vision. Smith holds the record for assists at West York, finishing with 579 in her career.
Paige Elliott played alongside Smith at West York. Elliott is a tremendous athlete, who has the ability to make the spectacular play. Elliott could see playing time for Kane this season.
Serifat Junaid is from Chesilhurst, N.J. the 6-0 forward will add depth to the Golden Rams. Junaid possesses raw talent and will be working with the Coach Wooden to improve her inside moves throughout the season. Junaid’s older sister, Rashidat, played for Hall of Fame head coach Vivian Stringer at Rutgers University.
The final piece to the 2010 recruiting class is Emily Nowicke. Nowicke is a local product from Council Rock South High School. She has developed a strong inside, outside game and will add depth to the Golden Rams team this season.
During the preseason all the freshmen have shown their potential to contribute this year as well as in the future. Kane will be relying on all of them to bring energy and excitement to the Golden Rams season.
The Rams finished last season with a bad taste in their mouth with the loss to Cal. With last year behind them, combined with the perfect mixture of senior leadership and talented young players, the Golden Rams will undoubtedly be a force in the PSAC this season.
