Wilmington University
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Women's Basketball 2007 Season Outlook

Entering his fifth season as the Head Women’s Basketball Coach, Bill Cleary feels confident where the program is heading. Coach Cleary and his staff feel very strongly that the Lady Wildcats are ready to build off last year and become a team to contend with on a consistent basis. “I believe we have turned a corner and we are ready to become a consistent team in our conference and within the region”, stated Cleary. The Lady Wildcats ended last season with a record of 13-15, including a 10-12 mark in the conference, and earned a berth in the CACC Quarterfinals.

The Lady Wildcats were plagued by injuries all year long last season. The injuries could have demoralized most teams, but not this team. According to Coach Cleary, it made them closer and made them play harder. “I was very proud of how our players performed last year under the circumstances. They responded to the injuries very well, almost like it did not matter. We talked a lot last year about being tough mentally, and we were.”

This is the most experienced team Coach Cleary has had during his time at Wilmington University. Losing only one player from last season’s active roster gives Coach Cleary a lot of confidence heading into the 2007-2008 campaign. “Many of our younger players were able to get valuable experience last year. They learned so much and that experience has only made them better both mentally and physically. This year, the returning players are very confident in themselves and each other, and they are ready to lead us deep into the CACC Tournament.”

Coach Cleary is very fortunate to have the services of his staff once again. “Not only did our players get a unique experience last year, but so did our coaching staff. I am so fortunate to have Jim, Laura, Patty and Ryan. They all compliment each other very well and they all help in the individual improvement of our players as well as recruiting and scouting opponents. I would not want anyone else on the bench beside me.”

The Lady Wildcats return six players from last year’s team, and there will be eight new additions to the roster this season. The Lady Wildcats brought in four freshmen: Latasha Hyman (University HS/Newark, NJ), Kendra Ness (Red Lion HS/Red Lion, PA), Allison Beddia (Delcastle HS/New Castle, DE), and Shea Ellison (Western HS/Baltimore, MD). Hyman is an athletic and quick guard with very good defensive skills. Ness gives the Lady Wildcats another deep threat with some athleticism. Beddia is a long, athletic wing with a very good perimeter shot. Finally, Ellison gives the Lady Wildcats another scoring threat who can cause match-up problems for the opponents. Shea is long, athletic and can score inside or outside. Coach Cleary expects all freshmen to make great strides as the season progresses.

Other new faces to the Lady Wildcats roster are Taisha Hylor, Heather Anderson, Kim Parker and Jillian Bennett. Taisha and Heather come to Wilmington University through Globe Institute of Technology. Both players have helped made the team stronger and deeper. Hylor (HS of Art & Design/Brooklyn, NY), has a strong perimeter shot and her work ethic is incredible and contagious. Anderson (St. Peter’s HS/ Staten Island, NY), brings a wealth of talent and intelligence to the team. Coach Cleary believes their impact will be felt immediately. Parker (William Penn HS/New Castle, DE) transferred to Wilmington from the Indiana Institute of Technology. Kim played in all of her games as a freshman, and Coach Cleary feels her quickness and athletic ability will be a huge addition an already deep backcourt. The final addition to the roster is Bennett (Holy Cross HS/Maple Shade, NJ), who brings with her the ability to score. Jillian works very hard and she will give opposing defenses a lot of problems.

Returning to the Lady Wildcats this season are tri-captains Amelia Simmons, Sherrelle Holmes and Nordia Henry. All three players earned post- season accolades last year. Simmons was named the CACC Rookie of the Year, 3rd Team All-Conference, and also to the NCAA Division II All-Freshman Team. She is the first Lady Wildcat to earn Rookie of the Year honors and All- Freshman honors. Simmons led the team in scoring with 19.5 points per game and was second in rebounding with 8.8 boards per game. “Amelia had an outstanding season for us. Everything came so easy for her because she works harder than anyone I have ever seen and she is extremely coachable. You can tell her anything and she will work on it until she has it down.” Holmes returns to the Lady Wildcats and she is ready to expand on her incredible performance of a season ago. Sherrelle scored 13.4 points per game and averaged a conference-leading 6.7 assists per game. “Sherrelle really is the glue that holds everything together. She makes everything look so easy. She is so talented, athletic, and gives the team great leadership.” Henry once again has worked extremely hard this summer and looks to build off of last season’s success. Nordia averaged 13.2 points to go with her team leading 10.4 rebounds per game. Because of her efforts she once again earned All-Conference honors for the second time in her career at Wilmington University. “Nordia gets stronger and stronger as the season progresses and her game only gets better down the stretch.” In the playoff loss to Philadelphia University, Nordia became the tenth player in school history to surpass the 1,000 point plateau. “I felt so proud of her. She has worked so hard and she deserves all the success that she has earned.”

Junior Jamie Gallagher and sophomores Jamie Hensley and Erica MacFadyen return with valuable playing experience. Gallagher was once again one of the CACC’s best three-point shooters last year. Hensley should be more of a threat this season with a year under her belt. Her ability to think quick and her long athletic figure should make for a difficult match-up for her opponents. MacFadyen provides a ton of enthusiasm and energy that will be a huge spark off the bench for the Lady Wildcats. She will provide depth and make the front court stronger.

This is a very determined group of young ladies who are looking to improve on last season. There is a winning attitude among the players and they know that with hard work, patience and determination, they will be successful once again.