The Limestone College women’s basketball team will host Mars Hill College tonight at 6 p.m. in its season opener. The Lady Saints have high expectations for 2008-09, after one of its best seasons in recent history in 2007-08. Limestone posted an overall winning record, going 16-15, and also had a winning record in the tough Conference Carolinas with an 11-9 league record.
Despite losing starting guards Ariel Lyons and Lindsey Kyle, along with starting center Monica Adams and forward Essence Greer, Limestone will have a solid squad with five returners and eight newcomers.
Limestone has a tough conference schedule this year as the Lady Saints face two teams that advanced to the NCAA Division II tournament: Mount Olive College and Anderson University, which was ranked No. 19 in the nation in the final USAToday/ESPN national poll.
Guards
Limestone will have a strong lineup of guards this season with a lot of veteran experience and some new talent.
“We are really excited about our guards this season,” commented Head Coach Corey Fox. “This group can really get after you on the defensive end, and they know how to put the ball in the basket.”
Senior Blanca Gonzalez (Chicago, Ill.) is back in the lineup after sitting out last year as a medical redshirt. In 2006-07, Gonzalez was Limestone’s scoring leader with 367 points.
Sophomore Breanna Ray (Spartanburg, S.C.) had a solid freshman campaign. She played in all 31 games, scored 111 points, and recorded 51 assists and 29 steals.
“We are really happy that Blanca is back from knee surgery,” said Fox. “She has put a lot of work into her rehab over the last nine months, and she’s looked really good in our preseason workouts. Breanna has really improved since last season. She will be counted on this season and is by far our best defensive guard.”
Brittney Miller, a transfer from Danville Community College, brings her experience to the mix. She earned team MVP honors during her prep career at Ronculli High School. Gill comes to Limestone from Lincoln Land Community College where she earned team MVP honors while averaging 12.3 points and 4.7 rebounds per game as a sophomore.
Freshman Lauren Pace (Suwanee, Ga.) brings a will to win to the lineup. She helped her Collins Hill High School team capture the 2006-07 state and national championships with a 31-0 record. Her team also won the state championship in 2004-05 and 2005-06.
“Lauren and Brittney Miller will have a major impact on our team,” Fox pointed out. “They will be counted on from the minute they walk on campus.”
Forwards
Limestone has two returning forwards for 2007-08: sophomore Shanna Cubitt (Greenville, S.C.) and senior Tierney Burdett (Peoria, Ill.) Burdett is Limestone’s leading returning scorer from 2007-08, as she recorded 259 points last season. Cubbitt gained valuable experience during her freshman campaign.
Junior transfer Whitney Todd (New Albany, Ind.), earned All-Conference and All-Region honors at Danville Area Community College, as she led her team in rebounds and field-goal percentage.
“Tierney and Whitney Todd will be competing to play at forward this year, but both could move over and play some time as a guard,” said Fox. “Both players can really get to the rim and shoot the three. They could create a few match-up problems for our opponents.
“Shanna, one of our hardest working players, could also see playing time at this spot,” Fox stated.
Centers
Addie Graves (Columbia, S.C.) is back for her senior season after playing in all 31 games last year for Limestone. She led the squad with a field-goal percentage of 55.9, and recorded 252 points and 182 rebounds last year.
“We’ll be in good shape with our centers since Addie is back for her fourth season with us.” Fox pointed out. “She is a hard worker inside and battles on every play. I expect her to be one of the top rebounders in the league. She will also see more opportunities to get the ball on the block and score.”
Three freshmen will also look for playing time: Whitney Brewton (Inman, S.C.), Brittany Jackson (Irmo, S.C.), and Jessica Hart (Flowery Branch, Ga.) Brewton was a four-year starter and team MVP at Chapman High School. Jackson was a two-time MVP, and earned All-Region and All-State honors on three occasions. She led her Irmo High School team to a 31-4 record. Hart captained her Flowery Branch High School squad as a senior and led the team in rebounds, free-throws, and steals.
“Jessica can score the ball and the block and has a nice touch off the block. We are looking for her to compete for playing time immediately.”