WINONA LAKE - The latest edition of the Lady Cougars is on the prowl for 2004-2005. They hope to defend their Association of Christian Schools International Indiana State basketball championship and improve on last year's 15-7 overall record.

The Cougars return 5-foot-8 senior center Corri France who averaged 10 points a game and eight rebounds last year at the pivot position.

Lakeland will look for 5-foot-6 senior point guard Erica Landolt to get the ball into France on offense and otherwise trigger the offense from her point guard position. Landolt played two guard with former state champion guards, Megan Stallter last year, and Courtney Lavender in 2002. Lavender has already experienced two state championships and is eager to take the leadership role for Lakeland this year.

The final senior on this year's team is 5-foot-8 forward, Rachel Hawkins.

Next, Brittany Remington and Megan McCoomb are the two juniors who will be major contributors to Cougar success this season. Remington is a 5-foot-10 center forward who is a proven shot blocker, rebounder and can score in spurts around the basket. She established herself as a starter her sophomore season.

McCoomb is an outright three-point shooter, who, at 5-foot-6, is learning the game rapidly.

The sophomores on the Lady Cougars provide the backbone of this year's team. They include 6-foot-1 center Ashley Hall, 5-foot-7 guard/forward, Elisabeth Wilcoxson, 5-foot-4 swing player Amber Colman and 5-foot-5 guard Jamie Widman. Widman and Colman earned varsity letters as freshmen last year, while Ashley Hall joins the Cougars as a transfer from Warsaw Community High School. Hall is a strong rebounder and is learning the pivot at Lakeland with help from France and Remington. Colman, Widman and Wilcoxson are all three-point threats, and Wilcoxson and Colman can play post-up positions with their backs to the basket when necessary.

Widman is the starting two-guard for The Lady Cougars and possesses a smooth jump shot and tenacious man-to-man defensive skills. Wilcoxson is coming on strong at the wing, or three position, is a strong rebounder and runs well on a fast break. Colman is comfortable playing pivot, strong forward or on a wing and can handle the ball well enough to lead a fast break.

The Cougars have two talented freshmen this year in the form of Keely King and Erica Weston. Weston is a strong baseline player and is already developing into a very strong forward. Keely King possesses natural point guard abilities and will take over that position as she grows quickly in the system at Lakeland.

This season the Lady Cougars' roster includes two players who have never participated in organized basketball in the past. These girls include senior Moriah Katzer, and sophomore Sarah Herendeen. Herendeen suffered an ankle injury before the season began and was unable to practice with the team until well into November.

The head coach for the Lady Cougars is Jay Lavender, and he is assisted by Chris Paulus. Lavender sees this season developing as follows:

"This is the first year we have had an opportunity with a big person playing the pivot position. With the addition of Ashley Hall in the middle under the tutelage of Corri France, I see a development similar to France when she was under Rachel Buckholz three years ago. If I can mix in those two with Brittany Remington and Amber Coleman under the basket, we could have something going this year. Widman, Wilcoxson and McCoomb can shoot threes with anybody. Erica Landolt is a natural leader and jump starter for our team. If she can distribute the ball to our three point shooters and our post players, we will have another successful season this year," said Lavender.

"Erica has made herself a better shooter, and now she is a scoring threat from the point guard position as well as an accurate passer."

LCA GIRLS ROSTER

Name Grade Ht.

Erica Landolt 12 5-6

Corri France 12 5-8

Brittany Remington 11 5-10

Megan McCoomb 11 5-6

Elisabeth Wilcoxson 10 5-8

Ashley Hall 10 6-1

Jamie Widman 10 5-6

Amber Colman 10 5-4 [[In-content Ad]]