Golden Grizzlies defend Mid-Con title minus Hafeli and Wilson
By CRYSTAL EVOLA Of The Oakland Press
ROCHESTER — The Oakland University women’s basketball team had the thrill of capping the 2005-06 season with an NCAA Tournament appearance.
Repeating that accomplishment this season will likely be a bigger challenge than the typical uphill battle any team faces.
The Golden Grizzlies have officially started team practices for the 2006-07 campaign minus the services of 3-point shooters Anne Hafeli and Jayme Wilson for the first time in four years.
Hafeli (Bloomfield Hills Lahser) finished her career ranked eighth in OU’s record books with 1,469 career points and second all-time with 235 career 3-pointers.
Wilson finished with 1,785 career points to rank sixth alltime in school history.
How does a team try to build upon last season’s great finish without the benefit of having a pair of offensive scoring leaders?
“It obviously hurts not having Jayme and Anne and Lakeshia (White) back,” said senior Nicole Piggott. “They were a big part of our team, but I think that we have some fresh new talent and instead of just shooters, we have more penetrators. I think our game might be geared a little differently this year. I don’t see it being too much of a problem in the end.”
Piggott, senior Bonnie Baker and sophomore Rikka Terava are the returning starters from last season’s squad.
However, it is unknown when Terava will be ready to return to her point guard position because of a stress fracture in a weight-bearing bone in her leg.
Piggott, who averaged 6.5 points and 3.6 rebounds last season, is ready to increase her workload.
“I kind of like it, personally,” Piggott said of being one of the few returning players, “because it makes me take the lead and now I don’t mind taking that role on and trying to help (the newcomers) come along.
“We’ve got great talent, so I’m really excited about this year.”
Sophomore Jessica Knurick, a 6-foot-2 letterwinner, will also be sidelined indefi nitely because of personal health problems.
Overall, six newcomers will be looking to adjust to life at the Division I level.
“They work hard,” OU coach Beckie Francis said. “That’s a good sign because they have a good work ethic. They’re also competitive with the returners. I’m not saying necessarily with ability, but they’re competitive where they want to beat them and they’re going after them really hard.
“Our returners have kind of a swagger, so it’s really fun to watch and really fun to coach right now.”
The adjustment period could be slightly shorter for some of the new faces.
Dominique Booker (Miami University), Elizabeth Sowers (Hesston, Kan., College), Rachel Bryer (St. Clair Community College) and Charlese Greer (Schoolcraft College) are transfer players.
“We have to see,” Francis said. “It’s still too early.”
Greer, a Pontiac Northern graduate, averaged 20 points and 8.1 rebounds to earn first team National Junior College Athletic Association honors in 2006 with Schoolcraft.
The 6-foot-4 Bryer could give the Grizzlies some much needed post presence. She reached double-digits in blocks three times last season and finished with 123 total with St. Clair.
Booker is expected to be eligible to return after sitting out the necessary NCAA transfer period in mid December.
OU finished 15-16 last season. The Grizzlies lost to topseeded Ohio State 68-45 in an NCAA tournament first-round game.
The attempt to return is made even more difficult considering what OU’s preseason schedule looks like.
The Grizzlies will travel to places including West Virginia, Auburn and UConn.
OU opens the season against Marygrove College at 7 p.m. on Nov. 13 at the Oakland Athletics Center.
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