2009-2010 Preview
Shaun Sanderson is ready to begin the 2009-2010 basketball season. With a year of head coaching experience under his belt, he is going into this season more confident and believes he has a more versatile and athletic group this year. During the 2008-2009 season, the Lady Wolves were crowned N4C conference champs with an 8-2 record. Coach Sanderson was named Coach of the Year of the N4C conference in his inaugural year as head coach.
Many would say that a final record of 17-14 was a very good season. But Sanderson, who is entering his fifth year on the Joliet Junior College coaching staff, didn't have much of a smile on his face when discussing the record. "Each year our goal is to win 20 plus games, win our conference, and win the national title. We accomplished one out of the three. Let's just say two is better than one," Sanderson said.
The Lady Wolves captured the number one seed for the Region IV playoffs before losing to the lower seed Haper 65-64 in the semi-finals. This still leaves a sour taste in Sanderson's mouth as well as the returning sophomores. Immediately following the season, the sophomores started to prepare for the 2009-2010 season by lifting weights and going to the gym and improving their individual skills. "All of our sophomores remembered how bad they felt after the loss. They had the desire to do what it took to put them in a position to go further in the playoffs this year," Sanderson said.
Coach Sanderson will have to take on the task of trying to win a national title without NJCAA All-American Terri Warnsley (Paul Quinn College) and graduate Martha Benjamin (Clarke College). This year, Sanderson will look for leadership from a trio of guards in Roneisha Jordan, Megan Kohrt, and Rosie Keomala.
Jordan will look to make a big splash at her new position as a shooting guard. As a freshman point guard, Jordan averaged nearly 7.0 points a game, led the team with 123 assists, and averaged just over a steal a game. "Roneisha was our quickest and most aggressive scorer last year. We felt it would benefit the team to move her to the two-guard spot. She has really adjusted to her new role and will dazzle the crowd with her ball-handling abilities," Sanderson said.
"I was very excited when coach told me that he was changing my position and expected me to score. I have so much freedom inour offense and I know what to expect coming into this season versus last year when I was trying to figure things out," Jordan said.
Sanderson has the luxury of returning Megan Kohrt, who opted to return to JJC at a chance of winning a national title. She drew interest from a couple of four year schools but wanted to exhaust her chances of that grand prize. Megan will fulfill her role of getting out and running ahead of defenses in transition. She averaged nearly seven points and five rebounds in her freshman year.
"Megan has great hands and speed that will be a great asset to our transition game. She is more confident and should bring a ton of experience to another group of young players," Sanderson said.
"I had to come back and try to win the regional and national titles. We have the opportunity to win regionals on our home floor. Not only would it be for my teammates and me, but for the alumni," Kohrt said.
Rosie Keomala has entered her second year working just as hard as her freshman year. The summer has seen Keomala get stronger and gain confidence in her jump shot. She has made the transition to being one of the best defenders on the team. "Rosie has displayed as sense of maturity that appears to be carrying over to the team. Her dedication and hard work made it a no-brainer for our staff to grant her the honor of being this year's team captain," Sanderson said.
"I have developed a passion for the game of basketball and try to give my all each time I take the floor whether it's practice or a game. My year of experience makes me feel more confident and should prepare me for the upcoming season," Keomala said.
Newcomer Brittney Kesler (North White H.S.) will run the point for JJC. "Brittney has come into JJC with intention of making a huge impact. She has worked very hard and has done everything we have asked her to do. Brittney sometimes reminds me of former player turned coach, Stacy Tucker when she makes certain passes. She has a great opportunity of becoming the all-time assist leader (held by Coach Stacy Tucker)," Sanderson said.
The Lady Wolves have always seemed to have great success in the local players. Coach Sanderson has continued to maintain those ties in Mariah Stamps (Joliet West), Trelynn Walker (Romeoville), Ashley Stewart (Minooka), and Jackie Healy (Providence Catholic).
"Mariah will be one of the most talented players ever to play at JJC. At 5'9", she will dominate most guards with her height and create problems for post players with her quickness and jumping ability. Wherever the action is on the floor, that's where you will find Mariah," Sanderson said.
Trelynn Walker will be the first Romeoville High School graduate on the roster since two time All-American Heather Graefnitz. "Trelynn will make a big contribution to this team once she understands the college game. We see flashes of what she can do in practice. Through game experience, Trelynn will begin to play at the consistent level we need," Sanderson said.
Ashley Stewart brings her 6'1" frame to fill the gap Martha Benjamin left. "If the season ended today, Ashley would get the Most Improved Award. She did not get the game experience her last two years of high school. Since arriving at JJC, Ashley has made great improvements in her individual skill work and continues to improve around the basket," Sanderson said.
The Lady Wolves basketball team has had many success stories through the years. There have been players to make JJC's team that were cut from their senior year to players never playing varsity basketball. Well this year, Jackie Healy adds to the stories of success. Jackie, a former standout tennis player in high school, has joined the team and will add depth to the middle. "Jackie has lost four years of basketball but has a grasp on everything that we have taught her. She is putting forth the effort to get into basketball shape and learn our system." Jackie brings a great mature personality and is outstanding in the classroom.
Coach Sanderson will have experience and added depth in the middle with Lauren Strother (Concordia University transfer).
"I followed the women's team success and wanted to be a part of it. Since arriving, I have already started to draw interest from four year schools and the season hasn't started. Coach has confidence in me and has asked me to do things my previous coach told me not to do," Strother said.
"Lauren will probably be the most talented post player in our conference. She has been working hard with Coach Dantzler to polish her footwork and post skills. Lauren is very tough and aggressive on the defensive end and runs the floor well in transition," Sanderson said.
The Lady Wolves will also look to add a couple of dual sport athletes in 5'9" Sarah Bock (Honeoye Central, NY) and 6'0" Brittany Powers (Joliet West).
"Sarah should be able to step right in and help us right away on the boards. With her playing soccer, she should be accustomed to running but she will need to adjust to the speed of the game," Sanderson said.
"The addition of Brittany Powers will not only bring size in the middle but also a swagger that we are yet to develop. Brittany's body language and her intensity should fighten a few opponents when we walk in the gym," Sanderson said.
Assistant coaches George Lowery, Siobhan Dantzler, and Stacy Tucker (Labuhn) return to the Lady Wolves coaching staff. "Our entire staff has been outstanding in off-season workouts, skill development, and recruiting. They have all had a part of putting this puzzle together. Coach Lowery was instrumental in bringing in local recruits Trelynn Walker and Brittany Powers. Coach Dantzler has been great with promoting our program and fundraising efforts. Coach Tucker has been recruiting and engaging in our guard's development," Sanderson said.
Once again the Lady Wolves will have a tough schedule on their hands. Their schedule features four top-20 finishers in Division II such as Lake Michigan, Illinois Central, Parkland, and Kankakee. The Lady Wolves will also play in a holiday tournament that features South Suburban (Div II), John Logan (Div I), and Highland (Div I). The remaining non-conference schedule includes dates with Kishwaukee, Danville, Illinois Valley, and Moraine Valley, who were all ranked in the top twenty last season. "My model has always been if you want to be the best, you have to play the best. So that's what we have done with our schedule. Every game we played last year we had a chance at winning. Hopefully our sophomores can carry us over the top," Sanderson said.
The Lady Wolves will welcome in two new additions to their conference in Milwaukee Area Technical College and national runner-up Madison Area Technical College. "With the addition of both Wisconsin schools, this will make this the toughest conference in the country. Despite Rock Valley losing all of their starters, they've done a great job in recruiting. Wilbur Wright College and Harper should also contend for the conference title as they continue to improve. And you can never count out rival College of DuPage. It appears that they may have the players in place to make another run for the conference title," Sanderson said.
If anyone has an advantage this year of getting to the national tournament in Rochester, MN it will be the Lady Wolves as they are scheduled to host Region IV playoffs in February. Coach Sanderson wants to keep his players focused on one game at a time. "When it's time for the playoffs, we will cross that bridge when we get there," Sanderson said.