Seniors Driving the Way

The Heidelberg women’s basketball team may have a new face at the helm in 2008-09, but the driving force behind the program is a solid group of senior leaders that are poised to hold everyone accountable for a successful year.
 
First-year head coach Marcie Alberts inherits a team that finished at 11-15 overall a season ago and made an appearance in the Ohio Athletic Conference Tournament.
 
At the forefront of keeping Heidelberg on track to move among the leaders in the conference are vocal senior leaders Morgan Harrigan (Urbana, Ohio / Urbana), Ashley Hawley (Sullivan, Ohio / Black River) and Ashley Cornell (Lansing, Ill. / Thornton Fractional South). Harrigan is a consistent threat from the outside and set the single-game record for made three-pointers a year ago. Hawley is coming off an injury that forced her to miss last season, but is a multi-faceted player that looks to pick up where she left as a starter prior to her injury. Cornell handles the ball well and will be looked at to contribute once she battles back from an injury.
 
Also looking to account for victories will be continued solid play from senior Brittany Skolnicki (Lorain, Ohio / Clearview). Skolnicki eclipsed 1,000 points as a junior and returns as the leading scorer for the Berg at 14.2 points a game. She also contributed 5.3 rebounds an outing. Fellow classmate Sarah Kesse (Cincinnati, Ohio / Colerain) provides a presence on the lower block and can step out for a short jumper.
 
Looking to pick up where they left off a year ago will be juniors Stacey Richard (Galloway, Ohio / Central Crossing), Stacey Barker (Grove City, Ohio / Grove City)  and Jessica Jennette (Elgin, Ohio / LaRue), along with sophomore Jenny Miller (Tiffin, Ohio / Clyde). Richard started 23 games a season ago and returns as the second highest point scorer at 7.3 points a game. Miller started all 26 games for Heidelberg a year ago and is an athletic post that held her own in the paint against a rugged schedule.
 
The Berg began its quest for success on the first day of practice, Oct. 15, and have been working nonstop since. The team joined forces with the men’s basketball team to generate enthusiasm for the upcoming season by hosting the Heidelberg Hoopapalooza. The event was open to the campus community and beyond and offered fans a behind the scenes glimpse of what Heidelberg basketball has in store for the season.