Stephanie Findley had kicked around the idea of switching up the offense for years, but could never pull the trigger. This year she knew the Oklahoma Christian University women were ready for it.
“We considered going to a motion offense a couple of years ago but didn’t think it’d fit our personnel at the time so we didn’t try and mess with it,” Findley said. “But we decided this year that we wanted to go ahead and have these freshmen start learning it and we felt like our seniors fit the mold of it and they’d pick it up quick. And they have.”
The OC women are coming off a rocky 2008-09 campaign. The Lady Eagles took an impressive 10-1 record into Christmas break, but struggled in the second part of the season, losing their final 11 games of the year. Findley said she’s not sure how that slump will impact her club this season, but has been pleased with they way they’ve reacted so far.
“We kind of use that as motivation, when we have a slow day we remember that,” senior guard Lisa Chenoweth said.
The Sooner Athletic Conference womens’ title will again likely run through defending champion Oklahoma Baptist, which was picked to repeat in the preseason coaches' poll. The Lady Eagles, who have four returning starters, could fly under the radar, after being picked to finish seventh.
Leading the way for OC is senior point guard Kailan DeCamp, an All-SAC and NAIA All-America pick two years ago. Last year DeCamp averaged seven points and 3.1 assists per game while earning All-SAC honorable mention accolades. Joining her in the backcourt will be Chenoweth, who scored 7.6 points and pulled down 2.9 rebounds per game last year as a junior.
“Right now our guards are looking good,” Findley said. “Kailan is making good decisions with the ball and reading the defense and Lisa has been shooting the ball well.”
Hillary Duncan will also be back in the Lady Eagles lineup after missing the final eight games of last season with a knee injury. The All-SAC Third Team selection average 10.4 points and 5.6 rebounds per game a year ago.
“I was worried about how she would look, but she’s been great,” Findley said. “She has good explosion, she’s jumping well and cutting well, so we’re excited about the fact that she’s healthy.”
The Lady Eagles will also be tough in the paint with Brittney Kennedy back at center. Findley is expecting big things from the senior, who split time with Charlotte Herron last year.
“It’s time for Brittney to step up and take hold of this team and say she’s the one we’re going to inside, and she’s done a good job with that this preseason,” Findley said.
Kennedy will also get plenty of help from a strong cast of young post players. Freshmen Roz Hamilton, Lindsay McCowan and Katy O’Steen will all see playing time this season.
Findley said she has also been impressed with the play of freshman guards Krista Stevens and Kaitlyn Morris, and believes both could make an immediate impact.
OC kicks off the season today when it hosts Houston Tillotson (Texas) for homecoming. The Lady Eagles will tip off at 1 p.m. with the mens’ game to follow.
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