2007-2008 Season Preview

Of all the lessons learned during last season's run to the Elite Eight at the NAIA National Tournament, perhaps none will be more important this year than the idea that teams win basketball games, not individuals.

Coach Tena Krause's 06-07 squad advanced to the round of eight in Sioux CIty with this approach, and as tempting as it will be to rely upon NAIA Third Team All-American Katie Madden, all fourteen members of the Lady Trojans must work together to produce a successful season.

More than a theme for the season, One Spirit...One Purpose, clearly outlines the pivotal impact team play has on success.

Krause has always looked to guide her players, both on and off the court, through a unifying process developed to get her teams through the good and the bad. Pre-season training, bonding time at Camp Crosley, or late night road trips, the Lady Trojans are constantly working to develop a team with one spirit and one purpose.

While Krause and her staff work to develop a balanced team, opponents are sure to focus on Madden, whose 15.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game make her a target for every defense on the schedule.

However, the cupboard is not exactly bare in the Lady Trojans kitchen despite losing four seniors to graduation.

Paige Rudolph has led the team in assists each of her two seasons and she returns to run the offense. Sophomore front court players Bethany Ballard and Alison Heesch carry the offensive potential to make opponents pay if they pay too much attention to Madden.

Help on the outside should come from Nikki Kassebaum who shot .422 from three-point range last season and Jen Ferguson who averaged over 10 points per game her sophomore season. Krause will also rely upon her freshmen class to add quality depth to the perimeter game.

  Let's take a closer look at Krause's personnel.

SENIORS

Katie Madden (5'11", forward, Boone County H.S.) earned Third Team NAIA All-American status last year to go with her First Team All-MCC honors. Her great low post moves, left hand hook, and a strong 15-foot jumper led her to 15.5 ppg and 5.5 rpg in 06-07.  Defenses facing the Lady Trojans must account for Madden first or she will dominate a game.

Rhiannon Edwardsen (5'9", forward, Dundee-Crown H.S.), used her rebounding ability and tough-minded defense to find minutes on the court last season. She averaged 2.1 boards per game and shot .568 from the floor, both indicators of her contributions.

Rebekah Deal (5'9", forward, Bullock Creek H.S.) is the consummate team player, always doing her part to make her team better. Deal was the 2007 MCC Champion of Character. She relies upon her quickness and work ethic to make her a valuable team player.

Kristen Ludwig (6'0", center, Naperville Central H.S.) provides a strong presence in the middle. Hampered by injuries, she has battled back to give her team the depth needed in the paint.

Jen Ferguson (5'7", guard, Fremont H.S.) brought outside scoring potential to last year's lineup, putting up 3.0 ppg as she provided TU with great depth at the guard position. She enjoys driving the lane always looking for an open teammate.

JUNIORS

Paige Rudolph (5'6", G, Reitz Memorial H.S.) has led the team in assists in each of her two seasons with the Lady Trojans. Last season she was also the team's second leading scorer at 9.3 ppg to go with her 107 assists. Floor general for the Lady Trojans, Rudolph has great court awareness in running the offense.

Nikki Kassebaum (5'9", guard, Timberland H.S.) proved her worth from the outside last season by shooting .422 from long range and .844 from the free throw line. She averaged 4.0 ppg in developing a solid all-around game. Kassebaum will be relied upon heavily in TU's outside game.

SOPHOMORES

Bethany Ballard (5'11", forward/center, Warren Central H.S.) has returned to full strength following a knee injury midway through last season. She averaged 7.6 ppg and 3.1 rpg before falling to injury. Her .520 shooting percentage underlines her knack of finding the open shot.

Alison Heesch (6'0", forward, Wisconsin Dells H.S.) used her shooting range, height, and post play to average 5.3 ppg and 4.1 rpg her freshman season. Opponents find her combination of speed and size difficult to match up against.

FRESHMEN

Corie West (5'6", guard, New Castle H.S.) averaged 18.9 ppg her senior season along with four assists and three rebounds. She shot 57% from the floor and over 80% from the charity stripe. West received All-NCC honors three times as well as being named an Indiana All-Star to go with her Third Team All-State accolades.

Jo Switzer (5'8", guard, Boone County H.S.) led her squad to two appearances in the Kentucky State Tournament over the past four years. She averaged nine points, four assists, and four steals, while hitting 70% of her free throw attempts. She was named to the 33rd District All-Tournament Team during her junior and senior years and selected as the Best Defensive Player at the Northern Exposure Classic two years running.

Allison Reece (6'1", center, New Castle H.S.) earned All-North Central Conference honors in 2007 as well as being an Academic All-State Honorable Mention recipient. She averaged just over nine points per game to go with her 6.7 rebounds while leading the team in field goal percentage (51.5%) and standing second in free throw shooting (75.9%).

Courtney Turner (5' 7", forward, Heritage Christian H.S.) averaged 11.1 points per game along with 5.0 rebounds. She shot 49% from the floor and 73% from the free throw line. Turner has been a part of two Indiana 2A state championship teams at HCHS. She was named to the AP All-Tournament team and honored as the MVP of the championship game.

Tasha Marshall (5'6", point guard, Lebanon H.S.) comes to the Lady Trojans with a strong resume. She led the Lady Tigers in assists for three straight seasons including averaging five assists per game in 06-07. She hit over 80% from the free throw line her senior season along with shooting 39% from 3-point range and gathered in Second Team All-Conference honors.

SCHEDULE

Coach Krause has put together her usual tough early season schedule to ready her players for the MCC battle.

Perennial NAIA qualifiers Cedarville and Shawnee State dot the schedule as do Div. I qualifiers Westmont and Georgetown.

The Lady Trojans have only eight games to get ready for the early MCC schedule which includes Bethel and Grace before Christmas break.

The team will square off with Westmont and Hope International on their trip to California following exam week as well as host the Taylor Holiday Tournament before returning to MCC play in early January.

As always, the MCC will offer some of the NAIA's best basketball. This was never truer than last season when four MCC teams advanced to the Elite Eight.

St. Francis and Bethel appear to be at the top of the ladder heading into the 07-08 season, but the Lady Trojans, picked to finish third, certainly have the experience and talent to compete at the top of the MCC.