Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Women's Basketball Opens Busy Early Season Schedule Against Hampton and Saint Joseph's this Weekend
11/8/2006 7:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 8, 2006
LEWISBURG, Pa. - The Bucknell women's basketball squad opens its 2006-07 campaign this weekend by hosting Hampton at Sojka Pavilion Friday night at 7 p.m. The Bison then travel to Philadelphia, Pa., to take on Saint Joseph's, a team they have never beaten, Sunday at 2 p.m. Bucknell has seven games, including five away from home, in the season's first 16 days.
For the first time in a number of years, Bucknell head women's basketball coach Kathy Fedorjaka will enter a season with an experienced roster in 2006-07. The Bison return nine letterwinners, including two seniors and four juniors, from a squad that did not possess a senior as it posted 18 victories, advanced to the semifinals of the Patriot League Tournament and posted the nation's seventh-best defense.
The veterans will combine with three sophomores and two newcomers to form Bucknell's most potent squad since winning the 2002 Patriot League Tournament and earning the program's only NCAA Tournament berth.
The Bison, who are picked second along with Holy Cross in a tightly packed Patriot League Preseason Poll, will aim to duplicate the feat of the 2001-02 squad, which was the last Bucknell team to return all five starters from the previous season. In 2001-02 the Bison were also picked second in the preseason.
"In the locker room after the loss to Holy Cross (in the Patriot League Tournament) is when it all started for this year," explains Fedorjaka, who is in her 10th year at the helm of the Bison. "We were at a point where we felt like we could win it all and fell just a couple of possessions short. It has really motivated this group."
With a veteran squad that has combined to play in nearly 500 career games, Fedorjaka expects to utilize her entire playbook after a couple of seasons of building and teaching youngsters.
"There are certain staples we like to run, like our man-to-man and scramble defenses, and the majority of the team already knows those," comments Fedorjaka. "Offensively, we can get into a true motion game. Two years ago we started to lay that base. Last year we started to get there, but this year I expect to predominantly be a motion team. Our system gives players the ability to make decisions on their own and having an older group is extremely valuable."
In addition to the veteran team on the floor, Fedorjaka has stability along the sidelines. The all-time winningest coach in Bucknell history is joined by assistant coaches Dan Burt, Monique LeBlanc, a 2002 Bucknell graduate and a two-time team captain, and Naomi Bronson. Burt is in his third campaign with the Bison, while LeBlanc and Bronson are in their second seasons.
While Fedorjaka cites the experience the team has as a strength, another advantage Bucknell has this year is its versatility. Many of the 11 players on the roster can play multiple positions due to the outstanding athleticism sprinkled throughout the squad. That versatility will allow Fedorjaka to play different lineups and exploit matchups, especially on the defensive end, a strength of the Bison in 2005-06.
Junior forward Hope Foster anchored the stellar Bucknell defense last year as she broke her own single-season program record with 95 blocked shots. Her prowess in the back of the defense helped the Bison limit opponents to just 57.7 points per game, the second-best figure in program history. Additionally, teams shot just 35.2 percent against Bucknell's multiple defenses, the seventh-best mark in the country last year.
Ten of the 11 players on last year's roster played at least 23 games and earned at least one start. That strategy should only continue with so much experience, depth and versatility on the 2006-07 roster. Fedorjaka will have plenty of weapons at her disposal as the Bison have the third 20-win season in the history of the program in their sights.
BACKCOURT
The backcourt features four talented returning players who can all play multiple positions. Last year Fedorjaka often featured a three-guard lineup to get as many of her athletic backcourt players on the court as possible.
Lindsey Hollobaugh has been a Second Team All-Patriot League selection each of the last two years.  |
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A starter in 80 career games, Hollobaugh became the 15th Bison to eclipse 1,000 career points last year and has netted double-figures in 63 of her 82 career contests. The 2004 Patriot League Rookie of the Year and a two-time Preseason All-Patriot League player, Hollobaugh is expected to play without her brace this season as she tries to regain her freshman-year form when she averaged a career-high 16.7 points per game.
"Lindsey looks fantastic this year," Fedorjaka states. "Her speed is tremendous and she is more aggressive than I have ever seen her. She has stepped up her leadership as well. I am expecting a big year from her."
Junior Kesha Champion, who has started all 57 games since setting foot on campus, has always been the type of player who does a number of things well. She averaged 9.2 points, 4.4 rebounds and a team-high 3.0 assists per game last year. A strong defender who is usually assigned to the opponent's top offensive player, the Chesapeake, Va., native led the squad with 41 steals.
After playing off the ball for much of her first two seasons, Champion saw some time at point guard in the second half of last year. She performed admirably, even earning the start at point guard the final three games of the campaign.
"Kesha's biggest development has been her offensive game," remarks Fedorjaka, who has always been a proponent of the up-tempo style of play Champion excels at. "Her defense and hustle have been there from day one, but she has developed into a consistent shooter over the years."
Sophomore Amanda Brown had a solid rookie campaign as she earned a position on the Patriot League All-Rookie team along with classmate Lauren Schober, a 6-0 forward. After coming off the bench the first 11 games of the season, Brown moved into the starting lineup around the beginning of Patriot League play and excelled, totaling 37 points and 10 assists in her first two games.
A scoring point guard, Brown finished fourth on the squad with 9.7 points per game. The Richardson, Texas, native dished out 77 assists and posted a 1.26-1.0 assist-to-turnover ratio, the best on the team.
An excellent outside shooter, Brown connected on better than 37 percent of her field goals despite rarely leaving the perimeter.
Junior Kristina Collymore was unseated by Brown in the starting lineup. She was part of the starting unit for the first 11 games before embracing a reserve role. A pesky defender, Collymore totaled 16 steals and 20 assists despite playing just over 11 minutes a game.
"Kristina has really improved," says Fedorjaka. "Her first year she was a little bit of a wild card. Last year we reined her in a little, but now she is at the level where she uses her experience to her advantage. Her attitude with a freshman getting playing time over her goes a long way with me."
Junior Andrea Wright, a transfer from Penn who sat out last year due to NCAA rules, is another player who may see time at guard based on the lineup on the court.
Wright is a big addition to the Bison. While she will cause matchup problems at the guard position thanks to her 5-10 frame, long arms and jumping ability, Fedorjaka sees her getting time at both forward positions as well.
"Andrea worked harder than any transfer I have ever had," praises Fedorjaka. "She gives us size at the guard position and could also be one of our better defenders at the forward position as well, especially if the opponent has a forward that likes to step outside."
FRONTCOURT
Foster, a returning First Team All-Patriot League selection and a Preseason All-League choice, is one of the better players in the league and could be the key to the 2006-07 campaign for the Bison. The 6-2 forward is a force defensively and continues to improve on the offensive end of the floor.
Hope Foster is a preseason All-Patriot League selection. |
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Foster, who finished eighth in the nation averaging 3.3 blocks per game, showed how dominant she can be with a 24-point, 18-rebound and seven-block performance against High Point last December.
Bucknell's all-time blocks leader and the 2005-06 Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year, who also ranks sixth in Patriot League history in rejections, Foster finished second on the Bison in scoring with 10.3 points per game last year. Her 9.1 rebounds per game topped the team and ranked second in the Patriot League.
Schober joined Foster, who was one of two players on the team to start all 29 games, on the starting front line 17 times. The Bison posted a sparkling 12-5 mark while she was part of the starting unit. Schober equaled Foster by averaging 10.3 points per game and pulled down 4.7 rebounds per contest to rank third on the team.
The energetic player, who joined Brown on the Patriot League All-Rookie Team, can play inside or out. In fact, she was second in the Patriot League in 3-point percentage (40.2%) last season.
Not just an offensive player, Schober totaled 38 steals, the second-highest figure on the team.
"Lauren had a really good freshman season," says Fedorjaka, who has coached nine members of the league's All-Rookie Team. "Her challenge will be to come back as a sophomore with the same focus."
Senior Jacquie Seawright, who is in her second year with the program after transfering from South Plains Junior College in Levelland, Texas, was very productive in her first campaign in Orange and Blue. The Olton, Texas, native excelled in her role as "sixth-man." An instant offensive threat off the bench, Seawright averaged nearly 17 points per 40 minutes played.
She tallied double-figures on six occasions despite seeing less than 14 minutes of action per contest, while her 5.8 points per game average was sixth-best on the team.
Due to her strong play off the bench, Seawright earned starts in the final three games of the campaign, which included both Patriot League Tournament contests.
"Jacquie played a critical role for us last season, but not really until conference play," recalls Fedorjaka. "We are going to see Jacquie improve with a year in the system behind her."
Ashton Sprouse should continue to provide depth at the forward position as she enters her junior year. A starter in 11 of the season's first 12 games last year, Sprouse averaged 2.0 points and 2.6 rebounds per game.
"Ashton has been more vocal and assertive this year," explains Fedorjaka. "She is stronger and more confident in herself and is willing to play whatever role is necessary to help the team win."
Sophomore Ashley Branch saw action in 15 games at center as a freshman. She provides a physical presence off the bench and possesses an understanding of the game.
Branch's best game came during Bucknell's 88-51 victory over Navy when she was 3-for-3 from the field and contributed a career-high six points and a pair of rebounds while equaling her season-high of nine minutes.
"Ashley has the potential and can help us in our hunt for the Patriot League title," says Fedorjaka. "She still has things to learn, but is more understanding of what it takes to succeed at this level."
The lone freshman on the team is Le'Le' LeSeur, who hails from Georgia. The 5-11 forward is a strong rebounder who has the ability to put the ball on the floor and drive to the basket. An experienced player from an outstanding high school program, LeSeur knows how to win having experienced four straight championships by Wesleyan High School.
"Le'Le' is going to come in and produce," predicts Fedorjaka. "She has the ability and her style of play fits in with our system."
