Coming off a 15-12 season, the Wilmington College women's basketball team will have to replace a lot of production if they hope to even replicate that level of success. The Fightin' Quakers graduated five seniors, including the top two scorers and the top three rebounders. (Digital Media Guide)
"We graduated five very important players for us, but we do return five players who have had significant playing experience," said Wilmington head coach Jerry Scheve. "Our tallest player is 5-9, so height may be an issue. But there are a lot of different ways you can win basketball games, and as long as we play hard, smart and together we will be fine.
"I am excited about this team because of their attitude," Scheve continued. "They are a team that really is going to play hard, and play together. We have to learn to play a little smarter, and when we do that we can be a very good team."
Leading the cast of returners is senior point guard Haley Howard. After missing her freshman season with an injury, she has made steady improvements and Scheve feels she is ready to have a great year. She started all but one game last season, averaging 7.3 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.9 assists. Howard is the top returning scorer for Wilmington.
Along with Howard, the bulk of the leadership will fall on a group of seniors – Bethany Ahrens, Makenzie Wippel and Jada Brown.
"Our four seniors have enthusiastically taken on their new leadership roles, and each one appears determined to have their best year since arriving here," said Scheve.
Ahrens and Wippel are undersized post players, who will have to provide Wilmington with the toughness on the boards that is expected from typical WC teams. Wippel is the top returning rebounder with 4.4 boards per game, while Ahrens recorded 2.2 rebounds a season ago.
A pair of 5-10 sophomores, Kirsten Glick (nine games) and converted wing Lexi Kingsbery (six games), along with freshmen Hannah Haeseker and Ja'Cole Tabor will help Wilmington in the paint.
Brown returns to the backcourt after missing the last two seasons due to an injury. Wilmington will turn to defensive stopper Courtney Tucker and sharpshooter Spencer Robles also at guard.
"(Tucker and Robles) have both shown a lot of improvement over last year, and are going to be key players for us again this year," said Scheve. "They have both worked hard at turning their weaknesses into strengths, and have become more versatile offensive players."
Robles was the team's primary three-point option, shooting 34.7 percent (41-of-118) from behind the arc. Her 41 makes were more than double of any other player, while her conversion rate was the second highest on the team. However, she shot just 6-of-26 (23 percent) in the last nine games of the year with four of those makes coming in one game.
Tucker, who averaged 4.7 points and 3.6 rebounds, will be counted on to provide more production at the offensive end this season. Junior Chelsie Karling has battled injuries in her first two seasons, but could provide Wilmington with another shooter on the perimeter.
A host of sophomores – Allison Prine (nine games), Whitney Barfknecht (eight games), and Ashley Andracki (12 games) – along with freshman Brittaney Jefferson will all compete for minutes in the WC backcourt.
"None of our five sophomores received a lot of playing time last year as freshmen, but it wasn't because they can't play," said Scheve. "They can, and they will get the opportunity to show that this year. Ashley Andracki, Whitney Barfknecht and Allison Prine are all talented guards, who all bring a little something different to the mix. They are being counted on to step up and play this year."
Wilmington opens the season 8 p.m. Friday, November 15 in the Damon's/Hampton Inn Tip-Off Tournament.