11 Returning Players and 2 Freshmen Offer Optimistic Outlook
for 2006 – 07 Lady Spartan Hoopsters
The 2005 – 06 season left a bitter taste in the mouths of the 11 returning members of the Lady Spartan Basketball Team. A 12 – 16 record was the 1st losing season in the 21 year tenure of Coach McManus at STAC. Despite the record, the women did manage to go 10 – 10 in the conference and finish in 5th place. It was the 19th time a McManus coached team played in the post season.
Coach McManus believes that the experience of this team will be the key to success. The Lady Spartans return 3 starters and the 1st 3 players off the bench. Depth in the backcourt will be a strength of this year's team. Erika Ostrove, a 5’5” point guard from Cresskill, NJ, Takiyah Ingram, a 5’6” guard form Poughkeepsie, NY , Erin Kilduff, a 5’8” guard from Parlin, NJ/Cardinal McCarrick HS and Kayla Waite, a 5’8” guard from Butler, NJ/Morris Catholic HS have all started at one time during the 2005 – 06 season. Ostrove, a junior, will start for the 3rd year in a row. She has outstanding quickness and is a leader on the floor. Ingram, also a junior, has started on occasion over the past 2 years. She is also very quick with a knack for getting to the basket. Kilduff and Waite, both seniors, can score from the outside. Erin is an outstanding 3 point shooter and a good defender. Waite can play both guard position. She can score from outside but can also take the ball to the hoop.
Two outstanding sophomores will start at the 2 forward positions for the Lady Spartans. Claire Wilson, 5’11” from Boonton, NJ/Morris Catholic is an outstanding scorer. She can hit the 3 pointer but can also take the ball inside. Raven Brinkley, 5’11” from Queens, NY/Christ the King HS, can score from the outside but is a force to be reckoned with in the post. Brinkley is a fine defender and an outstanding rebounder.
Corinne Albrecht and Jessica Buono will split the time in the post. Albrecht, a 6’2” sophomore from Samsonville, NY/Coleman Catholic, started all 28 games last season. Corinne is an outstanding athlete who can run the floor. She has the potential to control both ends of the floor. Buono, a 6’1” sophomore from Brooklyn, NY/St. Edmund’s Prep, will be a consistent scorer in the post. She possesses excellent post moves and has improved from last season.
Laura Mosher, a 6’0” post from Poughkeepsie, NY/Spackenkill HS, Allison Doman, a 6’0” forward from Riverdale, NY/Sacred Heart HS and Orsola Bonilla, a 5’6” guard from Brooklyn, NY/St. Edmund’s Prep round out the returners. Mosher is a good shooter and Doman, an ever improving player will see some action this year. Bonilla is recovering from knee surgery and is expected back in December.
The 2 freshmen joining the Lady Spartans this season are Kaitlin Page, a 5’5 guard from Pearl River, NY and Whitney Dugan, a 6’0” post from Newton, NJ. Both will see action once they learn the system.
The coaching staff remains intact: Kevin Jaxel returns for his 10th year assisting the program. Jaxel is involved with all aspects of the program. Former STAC All-American Eileen King returns for her 3rd year on the staff. Eileen will work primarily with the guards. There will be a new face on the bench for STAC, Betsy McManus, daughter of Coach McManus and former Villanova point guard will join the staff. McManus will be responsible for tape exchange, scouting and recruiting.
The Lady Spartans open the regular season on Nov. 15 at the United States Military Academy where they will square off against the Lady Knights of West Point.