Even with loss of leading scorer, Grace a veteran team
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Dale Hubler-dhubler@timesuniononline.com
WINONA LAKE – The way coach Scott Blum sees it, the Grace College Lady Lancers will be a different basketball team this season, but they may be a better team. Though Blum faces the daunting task of replacing Juaneice Jackson - an All-American and the program's all-time leading scorer – the Lady Lancers’ roster is loaded with experienced players and features a standout freshman in 5-foot-8 guard Kelsie Peterson. “We're a veteran team, we just have to replace JJ,” said Blum, whose team was 17-18 overall last season and a program best 12-6 in the always-tough Crossroads League. “We're ahead of the game. It's a good thing when you're putting your offense in and you've got it all in in a week.” Jackson, now working as a counselor at Bowen Center, graduated after scoring 1,893 points in her career. She averaged 19 points, four rebounds and three assists per game last season as a senior. “Last year, we knew we had to get the ball to JJ, and sometimes we passed it to her and just watched,” said Blum. “We'll be a different team this year, but we may be a better team. We're going to focus on being more of a team.” The Lady Lancers open the season Saturday at 1 p.m. when they host the Holy Cross Saints, whose roster features former area standouts Eryn Leek (Warsaw) and Shana Anderson (Triton). Headlining the list of returners for the Lady Lancers is senior frontliner Allison Kauffman, who averaged 17 points and seven rebounds last season. Lindsey Schaefer, also a senior post player, chipped in with six points and five boards a year ago. “Allison Kauffman and Lindsey Schaefer are both captains again because of their ability to play and their leadership,” said Blum. “They're both focused and doing a great job leading the team. They're going to be hard to replace next year. We're counting on them this year, and we have a number of other experienced players.” Also on Grace's roster are seniors Heather House and JoEllen Fickle, juniors Micah Pollard, Gabby Bryant, Kelsey Sule, Jesse Feitz, Sarah Feasby and Tiffany Petro, sophomores Darian Patton, Chloe Pridgen and Hannah Adams, and freshmen Kelsie Peterson, Jenna Kieper and Hannah Boal. “We may not have someone average almost 20 points per game like JJ did, but at the end of the night we could have five players in double figures or with anywhere from eight to 12 points each. I think we should be a lot more balanced team.” Peterson is the prized recruit among the trio of freshman. A four-year starter at West Noble High School, Peterson finished her prep career with 1,185 points, including 416 last year. “I kind of put all my eggs in one basket to find a replacement for JJ,” said Blum. “I feel like we have that player in Kelsie Peterson. She's the complete package. She’s an outstanding three-point shooter. She can put the ball on the floor. And she can get to the basket. She’s the kind of player that makes everyone around her better. I don't want to put a lot of pressure on her as a freshman, but she's a special player, and we'll expect more out of her next year.” At the preseason meeting, the Lady Lancers were picked to finish fourth in the 10-team Crossroads League behind perennial power Indiana Wesleyan, defending national champion St. Francis and Huntington University. With the experience his team has, as well as some talented freshmen, Blum doesn't believe his squad is the fourth-best team in the conference. “I really think it could be us, Huntington and Wesleyan fighting for a conference championship,” said Blum. “You have to be ready to play night in and night out, that's why were going to take it one game a time, but I believe we can contend for a conference championship.” Contending for a Crossroads League title will also help the Lady Lancers with their ultimate goal. “Our goal is to make it out to NAIA nationals,” said Blum. “We thought we were gonna make it last year. We were 12-6 in the conference, our best conference record ever. We lost some games early in the season by a couple points. Those are games we need to win, and we need to be in the top 20 all year. We want to earn the respect of the voters. It would mean a lot to this program to finally make the NAIA nationals. I believe in setting goals that are lofty, but attainable. Making nationals is something these players are serious about.” Following Saturday's season opener with Holy Cross, the Lady Lancers travel to IU-South Bend for a 7 p.m. game on Oct. 29. Grace opens conference play Dec. 6 when it hosts Goshen College.
