WINONA LAKE -ÊIn her short career as a women's basketball coach, new Lancer head coach Lori Wynn has coached it all. She's coached at NCCAA schools, NAIA schools and NCAA Division I schools. She's seen what it takes to become a quality team at every level and she'll use that experience to turn around a program that hasn't seen a winning season since 1991-92.

That's not to say there haven't been bright spots. Last year's team opened the season 9-1 with victories over quality opposition before stumbling down the stretch and finishing 12-17.

But Wynn sees possibilities in this senior-laden team. She sees an opportunity to build a solid reputation at Grace in women's basketball.

"I think we have talent," Wynn said. "These kids want to be better and they want to work. I've got three seniors who want to leave on a good note. There's a lot to be said for senior-driven teams."

Those three seniors are Amy Doron, Tracey Mantegna and Eve Arthur. All three were integral parts of last year's squad. Doron and Arthur are among the school's all-time leaders in a number of statistics. Mantegna, who transferred from Central College last year, is versatile in her abilities to shoot from three-point range while still banging for rebounds inside.

"They are three very athletic kids," Wynn said. "Tracey is one of those kids that can play three or four positions. She is always around the ball. Amy is very smart. She runs track and has a lot of athleticism and speed. Eve takes the ball to the hole well and is a nice shooting guard."

Those three can't carry the team alone, however, and Wynn will rely on six underclassmen to fill in the gaps that those three can't fill.

Arica Edwards and Danielle Mowery will be in key positions down low. Without much depth, those two will have to stay out of foul trouble and produce as power forwards and centers.

"Arica's got a nice little 10-foot jumper. She can face up and she's a good rebounder," Wynn said.

"I think Danielle's going to do a good job this year. She's one of those kids who doesn't quit. She's also a good rebounder."

Kari Helmuth will provide leadership from the point guard position. She backed up Tiffany Alberts last year and will see much more time this year.

"She has worked real hard all summer long," Wynn said. "She's a very good defender. She has the ability to shoot the ball from the three. I think she'll do a nice job."

Three players will be left to produce off the bench and provide important minutes on the floor. Jordan Rees and Amilia Devros will both see their first action in a Lancer uniform, while Eleanor Marquis will build on the limited playing time she received last year. Devros was redshirted last year and Rees transferred from Bryan College.

"Eleanor will probably play two or three different spots," Wynn said. "Being able to do a couple of different things is a plus. Amilia is athletic and plays softball, too. She knows a lot about hard work. Jordan has a lot of intensity and understands the game. That's half the battle, understanding the game."

Those nine players will battle through a tough non-conference schedule before beginning play in an improving Mid-Central Conference.

"I don't think we have any gimmies," Wynn said. "Every game, we're going to have to come ready to play. It's not going to be an easy road."

Wynn knows a bit about rocky roads. After beginning her head coaching career at NAIA Nyack College, she moved on as an assistant coach at NCAA Division I Appalachian State.

"I wanted to be a Division I coach," Wynn said. "I got to that level and, in some ways, it wasn't anything like I expected. We basically had no personal relationship with our players. To me, that's one of the reasons that I want to coach. I was miserable because when you get to that level there's a whole other realm. It's driven by money and it is a business. It really wasn't any fun."

So Wynn left after a year to pursue her master's degree and take over as an assistant at Baptist Bible College. She was there for two years before coming to Grace.

"I'm excited to be here at Grace," Wynn said, "and I'm committed to each of these ladies and to the program."

And so Wynn takes over a program that added just two new players from last year's 12-17 program, while losing nine others. It's a program that finished seventh in the conference with just three wins.

"We will need to battle. But we plan to be in every ball game," Wynn said. "These kids want to work hard and have talent. I've inherited a team of great kids. As we learn to play as a team, we'll surprise people."

Grace College Women's Basketball Roster

Name Pos. Yr. Ht. Hometown/High School

Amilia Devros G So. 5-7 Tippecanoe, IN/Triton

Eve Arthur G Sr. 5-5 Worthington, OH/Worthington Christian

Danielle Mowery F So. 5-10 Leo, IN/Leo

Amy Doron G Sr. 5-8 Winona Lake, IN/Lakeland Christian

Kari Helmuth G So. 5-5 Leo, IN/Leo

Eleanor Marquis F So. 5-9 Berrien Springs, MI/Michigan Lutheran

Jordan Rees G So. 5-8 Good Hope, GA

Tracey Mantegna F Sr. 5-9 Spencerport, NY/Churchville-Chili

Arica Edwards F Jr. 6-0 LaPaz, IN/Elkhart Baptist

Head Coach -ÊLori Wynn

Assistant Coach -ÊSteve Carlson

Grace College Women's Basketball Roster

Nov. 6 at Judson 5 p.m.

Nov. 9 CORNERSTONE 7 p.m.

Nov. 11 at Tri-State 7 p.m.

Nov. 19-20 at Wisconsin Lutheran Tournament 2:30 p.m.

Nov. 23 PURDUE-CALUMET 7 p.m.

Nov. 30 at Olivet Nazarene 7 p.m.

Dec. 3-4 at Concordia College Tournament TBA

Dec. 7 at Indiana University-South Bend 7 p.m.

Dec. 11 at IPFW 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 3 INDIANA TECH 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 5 at Bethel College 7 p.m.

Jan. 8 at Marian College 7 p.m.

Jan 10 at Manchester College 7 p.m.

Jan. 12 HUNTINGTON 1 p.m.

Jan. 19 at Taylor 7 p.m.

Jan. 22 GOSHEN 7 p.m.

Jan 26 at St. Francis 7 p.m.

Jan. 29 BETHEL 1 p.m.

Feb. 2 MARIAN 7 p.m.

Feb. 5 at Huntington 1 p.m.

Feb. 9 at Indiana Wesleyan 7 p.m.

Feb. 12 TAYLOR 1 p.m.

Feb. 16 at Goshen 7 p.m.

Feb. 19 ST. FRANCIS 1 p.m.

Feb. 22, 24, 28 MCC Tournament TBA

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