Season Outlook

After last year’s disappointing season, the 2011-12 Saints have adopted the motto, “Find a Way!” With eight first year players in the program a year ago, 16th year Head Coach Linda Nash new there would be some growing pains.  “I am focusing on the present.  Last year we took it on the chin.  We were young, but I didn’t feel we competed the way we needed to in order to win games or championships.”

A familiar face will join Nash on the sideline this season.  Assistant coach Ray Fron returns after a three year hiatus from Aquinas College after coaching with Nash for twelve seasons.  “Coach Fron brings knowledge, experience and a passion for the system that we run.  He was the head coach at NAIA Div. 1 Spring Hill College for three seasons before making the difficult decision to return to the Grand Rapids area wear his family and closest friends reside.  He will be a great asset once again to the program”, Nash says with a smile.

The Saint’s have made adjustments and the “X” factor  that they are banking on has to do with their stringent strength and conditioning program led by Steve Morgan of Maximum Athletic Performance.  “I love it...the first day of conditioning Coach Morgan pulled up in his pick-up truck with tractor tires.  We spent a lot of time pushing, pulling and flipping them.  The team is in very good shape and we are preparing for a marathon season”, says Nash.

The Saints return a nucleus of players that logged substantial minutes last season.  The Saints will rely on Junior Taelor Sanders, who spent countless hours training this summer.  Nash comments, “Taelor is a tremendous athlete.  She worked her tail off this summer and it shows.  We need Taelor to keep leading with her intensity.”

The lone senior on the squad, Anne Marie Shumaker is poised and ready to end her career on a high note.  She possesses a deadly shot and has become much more adept at slashing to the basket.

The trio of juniors in the post, Shelby Carter, Lindsey Karpowicz and Liza Flewelling will give the Saints a strong post presence.   All three players contributed last season and with a year of seasoning under their belts they have the ability to dominate inside. 

The junior class is rounded out by Clare Conway and Alpena Community College transfer Hayley O’Meara.  Nash says, “Clare is deceptive.  She’s a gamer.  She has hit some big shots for us in the past and she has a great understanding of the system.  Hayley is a jitter bug out there.  She was a big scorer at Alpena and averaged 17 ppg the last two seasons.  She can hit the outside shot has the ability to create contact and get to the free throw line.  Her experience will pay off for us.”

The sophomore class includes Carly Bardwell, Jenna Brower and Marisa Marx.  Nash comments, “The sophomore class is very athletic.  All three can shoot the three and they have returned with a year of experience ready to compete at a higher level.  They all will be contributors for us.”

The Saints added two freshmen that will make an immediate impact on the season.  Allison Heberlein, a Lansing Catholic Central grad is steady, a great defender and can shoot the ball from anywhere on the court.  Chelsea Matley is lightening quick.  Nash says, “Chelsea may very well be the quickest player I have ever coached.  She is a defensive terror and she gets so many deflections.  She is learning the offensive system and is adjusting very well.”

The Saints will compete in the competitive Wolverine Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) and have a strong non-conference season that includes NCAA Division II and III powerhouses Grand Valley State University and  Hope College. 

Coach Linda Nash concludes, “We are focusing on getting better.  Our goal is to be the aggressors and we want to come after our opponents.  I think we have the depth to stretch the court and cover 94 feet.  Time will tell, but we are focused on “Finding a way” to get it done!