Salem State women reload for another run
November 18, 2008
By Jean DePlacido, Salem Evening News Correspondent
Most programs would be devastated losing three players who had put up a combined 3,000 points in their careers. That's not the case for the Salem State women's basketball squad, which returns a strong nucleus of four juniors with considerable playing time under their belts.
Gone are thousand-point scorer Lindsey Watkins, point guard Melissa Macchi (Peabody) and three-point sharp shooter Michelle Gosselin. Replacing their talent presents a challenge for veteran coach Tim Shea.
"We are a little concerned about losing our best three-point shooter, a very solid post player, and our point guard - but we have a very strong junior class," said Shea, who is ranked among the leaders for victories among active coaches and has 22 regular season MASCAC championships with 16 postseason titles. Over 26 seasons Shea has an incredible 596-143 mark, including a national championship back in 1985-86.
"We have five returning, who played a lot last year, and four are likely to start. It helps that we always play a lot of different people."
Last year, the Lady Vikings went to the second round of the NCAA tournament, losing to DeSales (Penn.) after beating Marymount in the opening round.
Junior center Danielle Jenkins, a 6-foot dominating presence underneath, has been selected a preseason All American. Jakoya Wilkins is a returning starting guard while former Lynn Classical star Manise Louinord and Katie Bielonko are also projected as starters.
The fifth member of the starting five will either be another 6-footer in Lauren Wholley of Danvers (Pingree) or one of three guards - Amanda LaPointe, Kerry Stokes, or freshman Amy Barry.
"It depends on how well we handle pressure defense," said Shea. "We've settled on four starters, and Wholley rebounds very well, but our concern is if we need to go with another guard for a smaller, quicker look. It will also vary game to game, and right now there are a lot in the hunt to play."
Salem has added four promising freshmen to the mix in forward Nicole Boutin and guard Bre Comeau of Amesbury, who are both good shooters. Forward Lindsey Burke and post player Kristen Federico of Peabody (6-footer) will also contribute.
"Federico is improving daily, and I think she has a future with us if she continues to work hard," said Shea. "We have a strong nucleus and enough bodies that we'll be fine so I'm cautiously optimistic. Right now it's a question of who steps up as fifth, sixth, and seventh players."
The Lady Vikings entertain Plymouth State in the season opener on Tuesday, Nov. 18 (6 p.m.) and on Friday and Saturday host the annual Tip Off Tournament with Bates, Emerson, and Rhode Island College coming to Twohig Gymnasium.
"Right now the big question has to be if we can win the conference," said Shea. "We haven't done it the last two years (Bridgewater last season, Fitchburg two years ago). We used to always win, but there has been a lot more parity lately.
"Freshmen can be like the deer in the headlights so we'll have to see how they adjust to the physical play. Come January, when conference play starts we should be ready to make a run for the championship."