Subscribe
Community
Army of 8 for women
St. mary's college of maryland basketball previews
Friday, Nov. 20, 2009
 Click here to enlarge this photo Photo by BILL WOOD
The second of the two seniors, Alex Wenger, scored eight points in a loss to Catholic on Tuesday, but managed to pull down a team-high 14 rebounds.
|
E-Mail This Article
The St. Mary's College of Maryland women's basketball team bench may look a bit empty during games with only eight players on the team roster, but as the bench may not show signs of life, the Seahawks are full of it.
St. Mary's is prepared to take on the Capital Athletic Conference, and despite dropping its season-opening game on Tuesday night to Catholic, 74-71, signs are good for it and third-year head coach Barb Bausch.
"We want to be able to compete in every game that we play in," Bausch said. "…We want to finish in the top half of the conference and become wise before our time."
St. Mary's guard Stephanie Saint-Aubin, returning after a year off and one of only two seniors on the team, scored a game-high 24 points in the loss to Catholic and also pulled down 11 rebounds proving she was ready for the season to starts.
"I am excited about this year, especially after taking a year off," Saint-Aubin said. "I am really just excited to get back into the game."
The second of the two seniors, Alex Wenger, scored eight points in the contest, but managed to pull down a team-high 14 rebounds.
With the low roster of teammates, Wenger believes it could work in the favor of St. Mary's as the team chemistry and family-like atmosphere is easily achievable with a low amount of teammates.
"We are together 24 [hours]-7 [days]," Wegner said. "If you see one of us around campus, you pretty much see all of us. We are together and we are really like a family. We are like best friends, and it definitely helps out chemistry-wise."
"We are short on numbers," Wenger added, "but from what we saw [Tuesday] night, we played incredibly well. We didn't come out with a win, but I am excited about this season. I think we are going to do great things."
With such low numbers, staying healthy and avoiding injuries becomes the clear and apparent goal for the Seahawks this season. One or two injuries through the season could put St. Mary's in a tough position player-wise.
St. Mary's College of Maryland women's basketball
Head coach: Barb Bausch (third season)
Last year: 9-17, 6-10 (CAC)
Athletes to watch: G Stephanie Saint-Aubin (Sr.), C Alex Wenger (Sr.)
Key personnel loss: F Allie Scott (All-CAC)
Strengths: Bausch is happy with her team's quickness this season. She is pleased that her team is quick not only on the offensive end and can get to the rim using the speed, but the team is also fast and shifty on defense.
Weaknesses: "Numbers." The Seahawks have eight players on the roster, a low number by all accounts. Ideally, Bausch would like to see 12 to 15 players on the roster, but with her current lineup, she will make strong efforts to make the best of the situation.
JAMES A. McCRAY III
