Meredith College Basketball 2008-09 Season Preview

The 2008-09 Meredith basketball team looks to fit some key newcomers into their mix of veteran leadership. The Avenging Angels add six new players to the team while featuring four returning starters and nine returning letter winners, including two of the top three scorers and the top rebounder from last year. 

“This year’s team is still young but after last year, understands better what the expectations are and what it will take to succeed in our league. I am pleased that this group is particularly eager to learn, is willing to work hard, and is committed to both the program and to each other, “said Head Basketball Coach David Zinn.

Upperclassman leadership for this squad will come from two seniors, Lizzie Creech and Keyotta Sanford, as well as two juniors, Brittany Cornelius and Hunter Johnson. Four players (Cornelius, Johnson, Courtney Kreber and Mary Woessner) attended the Meredith LeaderShape Institute this past summer and all have returned more vocal and confident in their leadership abilities, which has influenced the new players and is helping in the creation of a tight unit.

The schedule is as tough as ever starting with a tip-off tournament in Pennsylvania at Wilson College and ending on Senior Night in February against Mary Baldwin. Meredith will face two competitive teams at Wilson before traveling to Greensboro to take on two Old Dominion Athletic Conference members in Guilford and Roanoke. The Avenging Angels will continue their home and away series with Salem College in November before hosting non-conference opponent Bennett College. Meredith will begin their USA South Athletic Conference schedule in December with a trip to northern Virginia to play at Mary Baldwin and Shenandoah while the second half of the season will consist of 16 games, all in USA-South league play, against some of the top teams in the South.

“We learned a lot in our first season of competition in the USA South last year and are looking forward to our second year in the league. We have a challenging schedule, playing 25 NCAA D-III teams including a very competitive USA South league slate, but I am looking forward to seeing how we respond,” said Zinn.

This year also sees changes to the coaching staff. The addition of Robert Luckadoo and the retention of Kevin Walker have proven to be very positive thus far. Coach Luckadoo brings outstanding knowledge from his time as an assistant at Freedom and McDowell High Schools while Coach Walker gained invaluable experience working with the program last year.

“Both are hard-working, have commanded great respect from the players, and have done an excellent job teaching in practice. We are all excited to have both of these gentlemen on the staff and I have no doubts that they will continue to add important teaching and feedback in both practices and games,” said Zinn.

Returnees
#42 Lizzie Creech, senior, Guard/Forward – Creech is back for her senior campaign after starting 16 games last year. “Lizzie has become more of a vocal leader and after fully recovering from shoulder surgery, has plans to make great contributions in her senior year,” said Zinn.

#23 Keyotta Sanford, senior, Guard – Sanford appeared in 12 games last year and will complement guard depth with her speed and tenacious defense. “Keyotta has made great improvements each year she has played and she intends to contribute to our efforts this season,” said Zinn.

#22 Brittany Cornelius, junior, Guard – Cornelius is returning for her junior year after averaging more than 17 points and seven rebounds as a sophomore. She was named to the 2007-08 USA South Women's Basketball Honorable Mention Team, North Carolina Collegiate Sports Information Association Second Team, and the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District (District 3) Second Team.  Last year, Cornelius finished in the top 15 of the USA South in five different categories, including scoring and rebounding. “Brittany has provided outstanding leadership in the preseason and we look for that to continue. She provides a positive example every day as an outstanding worker who is committed to earning more success,” said Zinn.

#42 Hunter Johnson, junior, Forward – Johnson came on strong at the end of her sophomore year, earning seven starts and finishing fifth on the team in scoring. “Hunter is a good shooter and capable of being a great rebounder. She comes into this year in the best physical shape of her career and has already proven to be an important voice on the court,” said Zinn.

#5 Suzanne Gasperini, sophomore, Forward – Gasperini has shown much improvement over last year when she appeared in 15 games. “Suzanne is working extremely hard in practice and I think she provides a needed boost to our rebounding and defensive efforts,” said Zinn.

#12 Caitlin McAllister, sophomore, Guard – McAllister makes her sophomore debut after gaining a lot of experience at the point position late last year, starting six games and finishing third on the team in assists. “Caitlin is a very capable passer and she hopes to become more of an offensive threat this year,” said Zinn.

#24 Whitley Turner, sophomore, Forward/Center – Turner is a sophomore returning after starting 22 games last year while averaging almost 11 points and five rebounds per game as a freshman.  Named to the 2007 Gallaudet Holiday Invitational All Tournament Team, Turner ranked in the top 15 of the USA-South in three categories including #2 in blocked shots per game. “We are looking forward to Whitley building off a strong rookie season as a post threat for us. Her defense and shooting touches will contribute to us this year, “said Zinn.

#31 Mary Woessner, sophomore, Guard/Forward – Woessner appeared in 21 games as a freshman, but comes into this year much-improved physically. “Mary is a capable outside threat and she will be important to our defensive attack as well,” said Zinn.

#32 Courtney Kreber, sophomore, Guard – Kreber performed very well last January, starting seven games late in the year before a broken foot cut her season short.  Despite her injury, Kreeber ranked high among category leaders in the USA South finishing 4thin 3-point field goal percentage and 11th in three point field goals average made per game.  “With Courtney fully recovered, we are looking forward to good production from her at the guard spot. I have also been impressed with her increased self-confidence and leadership abilities.” said Zinn.  

#44 Kristin Stewart, sophomore, Forward/Center – Stewart is a sophomore post player who missed her freshman year because of injury.  “Kristin adds much-needed strength, size and power to our post game and will be looked to as a threat in the low block,” said Zinn.

Incoming Class
#10 Ally Stephenson, freshman, Guard – Stephenson is recovering from a knee injury that ended her standout senior season at Northern Nash High School.  “Ally has gained respect from all her teammates with her work ethic and passing ability. As she develops, Ally will have the opportunity to run our offense.” said Zinn.

#13 Molly Mitchell, freshman, Guard – Mitchell, a newcomer from Piedmont High School, is a tough defender who is picking up the offense quickly and will add depth at the guard spot.   “Molly is proving to be a quick study and she has a great deal of potential,” said Zinn.

#21 Erika Ramos, freshman, Guard – Ramos is a freshman point guard from El Paso, Texas.  “Erika gives 100 percent every possession and has made great improvements since arriving at Meredith. She has proven to be a very scrappy defender and she will contribute for the team at the point position,” said Zinn.

#30 Megan Rahn, sophomore, Guard/Forward – Rahn is an athletic newcomer to the program with the potential to make an immediate impact. “Megan has done a great job adjusting to the college level and she will have the opportunity to see time at a number of different positions on the floor,” said Zinn.

#33 Meredith Franklin, freshman, Guard/Forward – Franklin comes to Meredith after an outstanding high school career at New Bern High School.  “Meredith is learning our style, but has shown the ability to shoot well from the outside. We feel she is going to add depth and outside shooting to our perimeter,” said Zinn.

#40 Kourtney Barnes, senior, Guard/Forward – Barnes is a walk-on junior from Raleigh, N.C.  “Despite playing through knee pain, Kourtney is working hard every day and adds both athleticism and rebounding to the post,” said Zinn.