2006-07 Kalamazoo College Women's Basketball Preview

Score-Stop-Board-Break! is the motto of the 2006-07 Kalamazoo College women's basketball team.

"As we continue to build success in the program, we keep the word CHAMPIONS in our vision," Coach Tes Johnson said.

Tes Johnson enters her second season as head coach of the Kalamazoo College women’s basketball team. The Lady Hornets 8-17 overall (4-12 MIAA) last season.

“We have some outstanding veterans and a lot of potential this season,” Coach Johnson said. “We are looking to improve from beginning to end, and continue to establish a championship caliber program.”

The Lady Hornets have six returning players and seven first-year players.

Leading the returning players are junior guards Kelsea Howell and Therese Demres and senior guard Sara Lappan.

Howell started 24 games last season and was second on the team in scoring with 10.8 points per game. She shot 42.1 percent from the field while pulling down 5.2 rebounds per game.

Demres also started 24 games and plays both guard positions. She averaged 6.0 points per game and was second on the team with 51 assists.

Lappan returns for her senior season after taking a year off from basketball. She played in 51 games her first two seasons and averaged 3.4 points per game while scoring 13 points in a game on multiple occasions.

Other returning players expected to play an increased role are Carmen Dorris, Emily Collins and Hannah Arion. Dorris has been rehabbing from an injury and is progressing well. Collins played in 22 games last year and can be used at multiple positions. Arion played in 21 games and was selected as the team’s most improved player last season.

Kalamazoo College's post play will be defined by five talented freshmen, including three that are six-foot or taller. Two scrappy freshman guards will add some depth in the backcourt.

“The freshmen will be called into action from the beginning and we will expect a lot from them, and we have a lot of confidence in them,” Coach Johnson said.

After a season in which the Lady Hornets played 14 of their 25 games at home, Kalamazoo will be on the road for at least 14 games this season. The schedule kicks off at the Midway Classic Tip-Off Tournament at the University of Chicago, November 18-19. The Lady Hornets will also travel to Indianapolis to play Franklin College. Coach Johnson and Assistant Coach Nicole Burford will take the team back to thier old stomping grounds in Oberlin, Ohio for a match against the Yeowomen. Coach Johnson and Coach Burford will return to coach against their former boss/head coach, Christa Champion and Oberlin all-star forward, Jessie Oram. The non-conference schedule will round out with a trip to Los Angeles to participate in the Tiger/Poet Classic at Occidental College. Prior to conference play, the Lady Hornets will host the College of Wooster and senior center Carly Loerke (Mattawan).

Kalamazoo College women's basketball will continue their Hornet Kids Club with a kick-off Kids Festival on Tuesday, November 21st at 5 p.m. The team will host several free basketball clinics for youth this winter. The 2007 Alumnae Day will be January 20th. Also, Kalamazoo College students will be able to earn Swarm Card punches and prizes at most home games.