Juniors will be pivotal in Eagles’ rebuilding

BANGOR – There are plenty of unanswered questions as the Husson College women’s basketball team prepares for the 2007-08 season.

Coach Kissy Walker not only lost nine players off the roster, four of them were among the Eagles’ top five scorers last winter. The quartet of Annie McIntosh, Carmen Ballard, Crystal Martin and Jodie Merchant accounted for more than half of Husson’s scoring, rebounding and assists.

The Eagles, who were 14-13 last season and reached the North Atlantic Conference semifinals, were picked fourth in the NAC preseason coaches poll. Husson tips off the season Saturday against Little East Conference power Eastern Connecticut at Willimantic.

Husson, which has no seniors, is building around four players who have some starting experience.

Leading the way are junior swing player Shelby (Pickering) Bradford of Lee and junior guard Jenny Rollins of Corinth, along with junior guards Michelle Barden of St. Albans and Laura Archer of Ellsworth.

Bradford is back at full speed after sitting out the soccer season following surgery on her left foot. She played in only 16 of Husson’s 27 games last season because of a foot injury.

Bradford gives the Eagles a solid inside-outside threat who also is a tenacious rebounder. She averaged 14.8 points and 6.7 rebounds a year ago.

Bradford also has earned a leadership role on the squad, even though Walker does not plan to appoint any captains.

“They all turn to Shelby,” Walker said. “A lot of the girls, they just ask her about things.”

Archer is another upperclassman trying to serve as a team leader.

Rollins returned in much better condition and looks to boost her production after contributing 7.5 points and 3.0 rebounds per game last season.

She’s joined at shooting guard by Archer, who posted 2.2 ppg last season.

Barden lends experience at point guard after making 19 starts as a sophomore.

That group is complemented by a youthful but promising group of underclassmen.

“They’re great kids,” Walker said. “From what I see, they’re fundamentally pretty sound, very small and young. They’ve got a spunk about them, though.”

Danielle Sewell of Houlton, who attended Husson but did not play a year ago, has impressed at point guard. She may get the early nod as Barden transitions from field hockey.

“She’s pretty quick and she handles the point. She’ll get a lot of minutes,” Walker said.

Sophomore guard/forwards Alyssa Bragdon and Ashley Bragdon of Newport and Lindsey Barnes of Owls Head, sophomore guards Jenn Plourde of Howland and Kristin Richards of Rockport, and junior center Chelsea Dow of Trenton are among the veterans who hope to increase their playing time.

One area of concern is Husson’s lack of height and experience inside. As the post spot develops, Walker is implementing an offense that takes advantage of the Eagles’ strengths.

“I’m doing more of pulling our offense out and playing with more people on the perimeter,” Walker said.

Freshmen Kelsy Lavertu of Howland and Angela Norsworthy of Presque Isle may work their way into the post rotation during the season.

Husson likely will apply full-court pressure and feature a transition attack because of its guard-oriented lineup.

Another newcomer who has impressed with her tenacity is guard Kaylana Blindow of Vermont. Freshman guard Noelle Lincoln of Dixmont also has shown potential.

Walker is looking forward to the challenge of trying to help groom a young ballclub.

“That whole learning process, the younger your team is, usually you see a lot more progress as a coach and that’s always a good feeling,” she said.