The Shorewomen basketball team is anxious to begin its season this weekend in the Messiah College/Wingate Hotel Invitational, where it will take on host Messiah College as well as York College in the two-day tournament.
Last year, the Shorewomen had a record of 17-26 overall and were 6-12 in Centennial Conference games. They clinched key wins against Ursinus, Franklin & Marshall, and Johns Hopkins. This year, their goal is to make more of an impact in the Centennial Conference.
Senior Captain Jane O’Donnell, who netted her 1,000th career point last year in the win over Hopkins, wants to focus on improving this year.
“It is our goal to not repeat last year in that we started off the season incredibly well, but right after winter break we had a drop off and didn’t finish the season as well as we had hoped. We’re hoping to remain consistent throughout the entire season and play to the team’s strengths,” said O’Donnell.
Returning to the Shorewomen is sophomore captain Meghan Tait, senior Jessica Jamrogowicz, and senior Julie Sherwood. However, after losing two starting seniors, they have some gaps to fill. Fortunately, the Shorewomen picked up freshmen Maggie King, Jenny Lee, and Erin Kile, who are adapting well to the program.
O’Donnell is pleased with the unique skills they are adding to the team. She said, “Maggie is a talented point guard who sees the floor very well and although she is small, she is the spark that we could definitely use. Erin is the post presence that we have been looking for. She will definitely help us out inside the paint this year. Jenny Lee, who also played volleyball, is also helping us out both offensively and defensively.”
Although games have not started yet, O’Donnell sees great potential in the team and is ready for the season to begin. She is sure that “if we all believe in each other, support each other, and work as hard as we have been so far, we will be very successful.”
If you’re still around for Thanksgiving break, be sure to stop by the Cain Athletic Center for the Shorewomen’s first home game, Nov. 24 at 7 p.m. when they take on Franklin & Marshall.
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