|
|||
 |
|||
|
|
Women's Basketball 2007-08 Season Preview For Immediate Release: RICHMOND, Ind. — Liana Coutts has nine returning players as she starts her fourth season at the helm of the Earlham College women’s basketball program.
Three of the players the former Ohio State University point guard welcomes back earned post-season recognition for the North Coast Athletic Conference. “We are pleased that our players' hard work and talent was recognized by the NCAC Coaches,” Coutts said. “Each one brings something totally different to the table.” Sophomore guard Shontavia Davis (Indianapolis, IN/Warren Central) was selected as the NCAC Co-Newcomer of the Year, while senior guard Whitney McBurrows (Lansing, MI/J.W. Sexton) was All-NCAC Second Team. Junior forward Tasha Merrill (Cedar Grove, IN/Franklin County) was All-NCAC Honorable Mention. Davis, who became a starter at mid-season, finished at 10.8 points and 3.8 rebounds per contest. It was the final 10 games of the year in which Davis made her biggest impression with averages of 14.4 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists a contest. “Shontavia is very versatile,” Coutts said. “She has many weapons in her offensive arsenal with a sound knowledge of the game.” McBurrows averaged 8.2 points per game. “You can count on Whitney to dig in and give you everything she can,” Coutts said. “It was really nice to see her receive recognition because she does so many of the little things for us that are often overlooked by those outside our program.” Merrill was Earlham’s second leading scorer at 10.2 points a contest. “Tasha has strong perimeter skills and creates match up problems for opponents,” Coutts said. “She also stepped up and hit some big baskets for us last year.” Senior Samantha Lurie (Lansing, MI/J.W.Sexton) is also back after studying off campus during the second semester last year. “We have two fabulous seniors,” Coutts said of Lurie and McBurrows. “They give us everything they have on and off the court.” Junior Tracy Hill (Copley, OH/Cuyahoga Valley Christian) and sophomore Jayana Sims (Indianapolis, IN/ Ben Davis) also saw significant time last season. “We have a wonderful group coming back,” Coutts said. “The learning curve is not as large as it has been in the past because they have a solid understanding of our defensive and offensive philosophies. All of our players also have had exposure to our conference and to a lot of our non-conference opponents.” The other returnees are sophomores Katy Buda (Mishawaka, IN/ Mishawaka), Kortney Corman (New Palestine, IN/New Palestine) and Shelly Surma (Westville, IN/Muncie Burris). Earlham begins the season in a tournament at Rose-Hulman against Franklin and then the host Engineers. “Our preseason schedule is competitive and will help prepare us for conference play,” Coutts said. The Quakers start their conference schedule at Ohio Wesleyan University on Dec. 5. “The NCAC is and always has been very challenging because of the talent and the parity within the conference,” Coutts said. — EC — Contact: |
|
|
|||
|
Earlham College · 801 National Road West · Richmond,
Indiana 47374-4095 |