La Plume, PA (11-13-09) – With only one postseason appearance over the past three seasons, the Keystone College women’s basketball team is looking to right the ship and return to playoff basketball.
One positive for the Giants is the return of junior Ellen Fallon (Scranton, PA/Scranton). Fallon, an Honorable Mention selection last season in the Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC), was the team’s leading scorer at 14.7ppg.
Fallon will have to carry a large chunk of the offensive load, at least early in the season, as Keystone looks to replace over 28 points of offense from a team that averaged just over 63 points per game.
Head coach Jessica Bogia enters her second year leading the Keystone women, as the Giants look to improve on last season’s 10-14 record (5-11 in conference).
Although the team had just one senior last season, the void left by Jessica Kobesky’s departure will be felt on both ends of the floor. Averaging 12.1ppg and 9.0rpg during her senior season, the former Mid Valley High School standout wrapped up her career third all-time in points scored in Keystone women’s history with 1,232 and second all-time in rebounds with 871.
“Jess’ departure will especially have an impact on us on the glass,” remarked coach Bogia. “We will miss her relentless rebounding ability and her leadership skills.”
Fallon, who led last season’s team in three-pointers (38), assists (97), steals (76) and made free throws (58), will anchor a squad without much depth. One of the reasons for the diminished numbers is the loss of junior Danielle Burke (Bridgewater, NJ/Bridgewater Raritan) due to an ACL injury. Burke averaged over twenty minutes a game last season and was second on the team with 59 assists.
Despite that, the Giants will not be backing down against any opponents, as coach Bogia and assistant Valerie Gomez look to get the most out of the squad. “You can expect a very fast pace and up tempo team this year, we are going to look to run and gun and try and beat teams with pressure defense that will lead to turnovers and hopefully easy points,” stated coach Bogia..
Junior Melinda Moore (Norwich, NY/Norwich) will be looked upon to play a bigger role this season,
especially in the paint. In just over 22 minutes a game last year, the post player averaged 7.2ppg and 4.6rpg, while also connecting on 13 threes. Moore should be sharing the post with senior Yasmeen Bates (Tobyhanna, PA/Pocono Mountain West). Bates was second on the team last season in rebounding at 7.0rpg, while chipping in with 6.5ppg.
Sarah Barreto (Bridgewater, NJ/Bridgewater Raritan) also returns as the only player to start every game for the Giants last season. The playmaker will look to improve on her 6.3ppg average as well as providing solid ball handling in the Giants’ full court game plan.
Seniors Kelly Iovieno (New York, NY/Professional Performing Arts) and Alicia Woodard (Norwich, NY/Norwich) are also expected to be key contributors.
Freshman Jazmine Harris (Fairfax, VA/James W. Robinson) will provide a boost to the backcourt. With a solid work ethic and strong leadership qualities, the Giants coaching staff will be counting on the newcomer to take the reigns.
Junior Theresa Yazurlo (Waymart, PA/Bishop Hannan) and sophomore Roseann Rutledge (Old Forge, PA/Old Forge) also begin their first year with the program.
“This year’s team is nothing like it has been in the past. We are still young, but the kids have bought into our philosophy and style of play and I think their hard work is going to benefit us in the long run,” said coach Bogia.
While the Keystone staff thinks the road to a CSAC title will travel through Neumann University, the Giants are looking at four key dates that all involve northern division foes in the CSAC. An early December game at home against Marywood University should provide a measuring stick for the young squad. A January 21st home contest against last year’s northern champ, Centenary College, will also provide the team with a solid mid-schedule test. The staff also points to its two games with Baptist Bible College as a pivotal pair, with the Giants regular season finale coming at home against the Defenders.