JOHNSON, Vt. - Second-year head coach Greg Eckman leads Johnson State women's basketball into the 2012-13 season with six returners and eight newcomers as the Badgers look to improve on a 2011-12 season that saw JSC finish with an 4-21 overall record, 2-16 in the North Atlantic Conference (NAC).
"The Lady Badgers look to climb the ranks of NAC playoff teams this season," said Coach Eckman. "Following our final game of the season last year, right after the game in the Maine Maritime locker room, our team made a commitment to get better, to improve ever day, and to earn a NAC playoff spot in the 2012-2013 season."
Coach Eckman continued "Johnson State College can be proud of this group of young ladies! Our upper classman were very critical in bringing in this years freshman class, eight in all!"
"My prediction for the season...double digit wins, hosting a home NAC playoff game, a NAC Tournament Championship....and NCAA tournament birth......then......come and see!"
"I could not be more blessed with the collection of Coaches we have on our bench! Amanda Lass, Liz Bushey and Andrea Deuell not only bring over 3500 in career points scored between the group, but also a vast hunger to teach the game of basketball and bring a championship to Johnson State College."
Coach Eckman went on to comment on his personnel:
"Brittany Robertson (Burlington, Vt./Burlington) will once again be one of the leader in the offensive category for all of NCAA DIII as she was last season with 3-point field goals and points per game. With the ball in Brittany's hand's I can rest easy," Coach Eckman declares. "Brittany has been playing the game of basketball before she could speak and always has a ball in her hand. Her basketball IQ is off the charts and she is as good as they come when she lines up for a 3-point shot."
"Kirsten Rand (Colchester, Vt./Colchester) brings a work ethic I have not seen since the days of Dennis Rodman back in Detroit. She never, ever takes a play off and is a work horse on the offensive and defensive ends of the floor. Kirsten will guard any player on the opposing team from point guard all the way to center. She is that darn good!" stated Coach Eckman "I do not want to be the girl trying to get around Kirsten on the low post. She is very strong and has worked hard on sealing the defense this offseason. I look for Kirsten to cement herself as one of the best front court players in the conference this season."
"Maddie Pritchard (North Clarendon, Vt./Mill River) brings great size and skill to the JSC front court this season. Maddie is extremely quick in the half court for a post player with a good 15-foot jump shot. We will need Maddie's strength and basketball IQ to help lead the Badgers to success this season. She has a chance to be a great post in the NAC," said Coach Eckman. "She has specific skills that only great post player possess. If she continues to play to her strength and improve on her weaknesses the sky is the limit for Maddie."
"Our freshman class is deep and talented!" proclaims Coach Eckman. "Mary Richardson (Vernon, Vt./Brattleboro), Brittany Moody (South Burlington, Vt./South Burlington) and Lazrin Schenck (Shelburne, Vt./Champlain Valley Union) will become fan favorites here at JSC in no time. They are extremely talented on the offensive end of the floor and can shoot the 3-point shot with the best of them. Lazrin will see time at both forward and guard, while Moody and Richardson will be competing with returners Jenessa Swainbank (Enosburg Falls, Vt./Enosburg - junior captain), junior Trista Roussin (Milton, Vt./Milton), and sophomore Kassidee Keefe (Derby Line, Vt./North Country). All three earned significant minutes this past season and will be looked upon throughout the season for leadership, toughness and stability in the always challenging NAC conference. I was really impressed with the dedication from our upper classman this offseason and look for great personal and team accomplishments because of their hard work and dedication to the JSC Women's Basketball program."
"Rounding out the freshman class is Emily Jones (Craftsbury, Vt./Craftsbury) who is an outstanding defensive player and mid-range shooter. Of all of the freshman I have been most impressed with Emily this preseason. Her work ethic, grasp of the offense and defensive concepts is very impressive for any newcomer, let alone a true freshman" continued Coach Eckman. "Deanna Brandstetter (Newport, Vt./North Country) is a powerful post player with an assortment of moves and as competitive as them come. Look out!" claims Coach Eckman. "Deanna is going to surprise and turn more then a few heads around this league this season.
"Crystal Sandlin (Cincinnati, Ohio/Roger Bacon) comes to us all the way from Cincinnati, Ohio and we cannot wait to unleash this newest Badger on the competition. She is fast, aggressive, smart and has an excitement for the game of basketball that is infectious," Coach Eckman said excitedly.
"Emily Comins (Orleans, Vt./Lake Region) is a great asset to the JSC backcourt and we look forward to her development as a major contributor to our program. Emily is very fundamentally sound, loves the game of basketball and has a tear drop jump shot! What more can a Coach want from his PG," exclaims Coach Eckman.
Rebecca Spittle (Winooski, Vt./Winooski) suffered an ACL injury prior to the start of organized practices. She underwent successful ACL reconstructive surgery and will be returning to the Badgers lineup for the 2013-2014 season.
Johnson will tip-off their season on November 16 & 17 in Milton, Massachusetts at the Curry College Tip-Off Tournament. The Badgers will face Fitchburg State University in the opener and then will see either the host or Southern Vermont College on Saturday. JSC's home opener will be on Tuesday, November 20 at 3:00 pm when they take on SUNY Canton.