Lady Lancers Looking For More Wins
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Anthony [email protected]
Following back-to-back 10-win seasons, coach Scott Blum is confident a more-experienced team can increase that win total, beginning tonight against Holy Cross at 7 p.m.[[In-content Ad]]"We only have one senior gone and now we have juniors and seniors playing that have been playing heavy minutes since they were freshmen and sophomores," Blum said. "There's no more having the excuse 'We're young.' We can't use any excuses. I'd like to get it turned around from aspiring for 11 to 12 wins to wanting 18 to 20."
If the Lady Lancers are going to increase that win total they'll need to do it in one of the toughest conferences in NAIA Division-II. In the Mid-Central College Conference, Grace must go up against three teams ranked in the preseason top 25, including Indiana Wesleyan (3rd), St. Francis (8th) and Bethel (18). Taylor is also receiving votes.
"It's a very strong conference," Blum said.
In the preseason picks, Grace was selected to finish sixth in the MCC behind Indiana Wesleyan, St. Francis, Bethel, Taylor and Marian.
"Our goal is to get into the top three or four," Blum said. "We finished seventh last year, but I feel we could have been in fourth if not for the injury to Keira (Gray)."
After leading Grace with 14.8 points a game as a sophomore, Gray played in just three games last season after suffering a knee injury. After rehabilating the knee, Gray blew out her other knee this summer, leaving her less than 100 percent.
"She healed pretty quickly and was at Day 1 of preseason practice," Blum said about the 5-foot-4 guard from Fort Wayne Northrop. "She wasn't expected to be back until January, but she's been practicing and is ready to go."
She may be ready to go, but Blum's going to have to limit her time early on.
"She thinks she's going to be back to 15 points a game, like she did as a sophomore," Blum said. "I've been telling her she's just going to be taking it easy, playing two to three minutes at a time. She's not going to score 15, but she can be a huge contributor."
With Gray on the sidelines last year, Grace was led by a balanced scoring attack from Demetria Eley (10.3 ppg), Hannah Lengel (9.1) and Kayla Skaggs (7.5).
Eley and Skaggs are gone, but junior Hannah Lengel is back and Blum is looking for junior Hayley Cashier to another step in the post.
"We'll look to her to provide some valuable scoring," Blum said. "Her defense is coming along too."
The Lancers have 10 guards on their roster, but Blum sees a nice balance.
"We have a nice 1-2 combination with our inside-outside game," Blum said. "We have (junior) Danielle Boykin who will be getting more minutes with Hayley Cashier and (sophomore) Emily Bidwell, who's coming off a good year. (Junior) Kate Ball has also moved to forward."
Blum is also excited to see how freshman guard Juaneice Jackson, from Calumet High School fits in with the team.
"She's had a good preseason," Blum said. "She'll play point guard with Hannah Lengel. She'll see significant minutes and be a huge contributor."
After tonight's season opener, the Lady Lancers travel to NCAA Division I opponent Valparaiso for a 7 p.m. game Nov. 2, and then return to the OCC for a 1 p.m. Homecoming game Nov. 6 against Ohio-Eastern.
Grace opens MCC play Dec. 1 when it hosts Bethel at 6 p.m.
Latest News
E-Editions
Following back-to-back 10-win seasons, coach Scott Blum is confident a more-experienced team can increase that win total, beginning tonight against Holy Cross at 7 p.m.[[In-content Ad]]"We only have one senior gone and now we have juniors and seniors playing that have been playing heavy minutes since they were freshmen and sophomores," Blum said. "There's no more having the excuse 'We're young.' We can't use any excuses. I'd like to get it turned around from aspiring for 11 to 12 wins to wanting 18 to 20."
If the Lady Lancers are going to increase that win total they'll need to do it in one of the toughest conferences in NAIA Division-II. In the Mid-Central College Conference, Grace must go up against three teams ranked in the preseason top 25, including Indiana Wesleyan (3rd), St. Francis (8th) and Bethel (18). Taylor is also receiving votes.
"It's a very strong conference," Blum said.
In the preseason picks, Grace was selected to finish sixth in the MCC behind Indiana Wesleyan, St. Francis, Bethel, Taylor and Marian.
"Our goal is to get into the top three or four," Blum said. "We finished seventh last year, but I feel we could have been in fourth if not for the injury to Keira (Gray)."
After leading Grace with 14.8 points a game as a sophomore, Gray played in just three games last season after suffering a knee injury. After rehabilating the knee, Gray blew out her other knee this summer, leaving her less than 100 percent.
"She healed pretty quickly and was at Day 1 of preseason practice," Blum said about the 5-foot-4 guard from Fort Wayne Northrop. "She wasn't expected to be back until January, but she's been practicing and is ready to go."
She may be ready to go, but Blum's going to have to limit her time early on.
"She thinks she's going to be back to 15 points a game, like she did as a sophomore," Blum said. "I've been telling her she's just going to be taking it easy, playing two to three minutes at a time. She's not going to score 15, but she can be a huge contributor."
With Gray on the sidelines last year, Grace was led by a balanced scoring attack from Demetria Eley (10.3 ppg), Hannah Lengel (9.1) and Kayla Skaggs (7.5).
Eley and Skaggs are gone, but junior Hannah Lengel is back and Blum is looking for junior Hayley Cashier to another step in the post.
"We'll look to her to provide some valuable scoring," Blum said. "Her defense is coming along too."
The Lancers have 10 guards on their roster, but Blum sees a nice balance.
"We have a nice 1-2 combination with our inside-outside game," Blum said. "We have (junior) Danielle Boykin who will be getting more minutes with Hayley Cashier and (sophomore) Emily Bidwell, who's coming off a good year. (Junior) Kate Ball has also moved to forward."
Blum is also excited to see how freshman guard Juaneice Jackson, from Calumet High School fits in with the team.
"She's had a good preseason," Blum said. "She'll play point guard with Hannah Lengel. She'll see significant minutes and be a huge contributor."
After tonight's season opener, the Lady Lancers travel to NCAA Division I opponent Valparaiso for a 7 p.m. game Nov. 2, and then return to the OCC for a 1 p.m. Homecoming game Nov. 6 against Ohio-Eastern.
Grace opens MCC play Dec. 1 when it hosts Bethel at 6 p.m.
Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092