By Frank Rizzo
March 23, 2001:
Season Record:
7–11 overall, 4–8 OCIAA Division III
Starting Lineup:
Guard – Crystal Forget
Guard – Cindy Jessup
Forward – Deirdre Smith
Forward – Shannon Dietrich
Center – Brady Dollard
Season Highlights:
“The team chemistry was nice this year,” said coach Karen Atack. “We had a good group of kids who were enjoyable to coach and liked each other.”
She added: “Another highlight was a [63-60] win over Florida in overtime [on January 26]. We ran a perfect fast break and the way I was screaming the kids thought we had won a championship. That was an exciting game.”
Biggest Disappointment:
“Losing six straight to end the season and not making sectionals,” according to Atack.
Top Scorers:
Deirdre Smith scored 325 points and averaged 18.1 per game with a season-high of 31 and a field goal percentage of 42. Brady Dollard averaged 10 ppg.
Top Rebounders:
Again, Smith and Dollard paced the Lady Panthers, averaging 8.4 and 6.1 per game.
Other Stats:
Cindy Jessup led the team with 57 assists while Crystal Forget added 45. Smith had 55 steals to top the list.
MVP/Most Improved Player:
Atack said she never picks a team most valuable player, but noted that Smith was the most productive player and most improved.
“Compared to last season and even the beginning of this one Deirdre came a long way,” Atack noted.
Atack also cited soph Shannon Dietrich, who won a starting spot despite never having played organized basketball before.