Sunday, November 21, 1999
NORTHERN KY. INSIDER
Thomas More women undaunted
BY NEIL SCHMIDT
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Finding concerns for Thomas More College's upcoming women's basketball season won't require reading between the lines. They're right there on the roster.
No 6-footers?
“I thought about lying about that, saying (5-foot-11) Bridget (New) was 6 feet,” coach Sharri Brumfield said.
No seniors? Just two juniors, one of whom hasn't played in college?
“We're very young, but I wouldn't trade our talent for anyone's,” Brumfield said.
So goes the double-edged sword this season, which begins Tuesday at Asbury College. The talent is there, but Brumfield must wait for her smallish Saints to grow up.
“With this young core (five freshmen, five sophomores), we'll be able to learn and grow together,” sophomore point guard Shawna Kelley (Glen Este) said.
The Saints never had a winning season before 1996-97 but now have three of them in a row. That's a head of steam they don't want to waste.
But there have been big losses. Talented guard Amy Burk, who led the team last year in both scoring (18.4 avg.) and rebounding (7.0), graduated. So did 6-2 center Christy Hoffeditz. Another starting guard, Kathy Gullette, left school.
That leaves Kelley (5.0 ppg) and 5-9 sophomore forward Beth Vice (8.4 ppg, 5.1 rpg) as the only two returning starters. New, a sophomore from McAuley, and Holly Roberts, a sophomore guard from Gallatin County, become starters this year; freshman Ashley Will (Mariemont) probably gets the last starting spot.
Roberts, who averaged 8.9 points in an injury-riddled freshman year, is a pure shooter in Burk's mold. More help could come from junior Julie Costello (Mount Notre Dame), who had offseason surgery to cure shin splints, and junior Andrea Poppel (Scott), a TMC volleyball player now trying a second sport.
“We're going to have a chance for everybody to see what they can contribute, instead of one player,” Kelley said. “That hurt us last year, because we put everything on Amy's shoulders. Now we know we have to all carry our own weight.”
Expect an uptempo style. TMC will run and press: “Defense will be our best offense,” Brumfield said.
While goals of an NCAA Division III Tournament berth have been discussed, that might be more realistic next year.
“It's going to take some time to go through a process of learning,” Brumfield said. “It's a two- and three-year process. You try to go inch by inch, continue to improve and develop.”
Still, the lack of pressure and expectations could pave the way for a surprising season.
“We're really excited about this year,” said Vice, a Boone County grad. “Nothing is expected of us. It's kind of nice.”
WRESTLING RANKINGS: Two Northern Kentucky wrestlers have been projected No.1 in individual weight-class rankings by the state's wrestling coaches association.
Conner senior Jeremiah Giron is the top pick at 145 pounds, and Holy Cross senior Joe Perkins the favorite at heavyweight.
Scott's Craig Collinsworth is picked second at 215, and a host of locals are projected third: Scott's Jason Daviaux (112), Ryle's Jordan Blackmore (119), Scott's Jimmy Ranshaw (125), Scott's Mike Bell (140), Campbell County's Nathan Schmidt (145) and Dixie Heights' Dan Olberding (189).
In the team poll, Scott is fifth, Campbell County ninth and Ryle 13th. Defending champion Woodford County is No.1.
DUSING ON TOP TEAM: Covington Catholic grad Nate Dusing has helped Texas' swimming team to the nation's No.1 ranking.
The junior won three events Nov.5 to help the Longhorns, then ranked third, beat then-No.1 Stanford. Texas took over the top spot Friday; Stanford is now tied for second with Auburn.
CONFERENCE HONORS: Morehead State freshman soccer player Stephanie Sandfoss (Highlands) earned second-team All-Ohio Valley Conference honors. Her totals of seven goals and 17 points were both single-season records for the fourth-year program.
• Sisters Kim and Susie Decker (Campbell County), starters on the Midway College volleyball team, both earned All-Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference honors.
• Georgetown (Ky.) College soccer player Ann Barth (St.Henry), a fullback, is a Mid-South Conference honorable mention pick.
Neil Schmidt is The Enquirer's Northern Kentucky sports reporter. Call him at 578-5582 or send e-mail to nschmidt@enquirer.com.
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