Oct. 9, 2001
According to the old adage, the only thing harder than climbing to the top of the mountain is staying there. After a record-breaking 2000-2001 season, the Siena women's basketball team has turned from being the hunter to being the hunted. However, the 2001-2002 Saints have the talent, experience and confidence to take on all challenges that lie ahead in the upcoming season.
MAAC Coach of the Year Gina Castelli's squad returns over 70 percent of its scoring, rebounding and assists from last year's team which won a school-record 24 games, including an unprecedented 17 wins in conference play. The Saints were also the most-improved team in the country, bettering their record by 13 games from the previous season. Among those returning are four starters, including the conference Player and Rookie of the Year in Gunta Basko and Liene Jansone respectively. The Saints also welcome back the starting backcourt of juniors Erica Anderson and Mary McKissack.
"Everyone on the team, including players and coaches, has to step up their game. We have to be better, because people are going to be ready for us and the level we played at last year. To reach our goals and win the MAAC, we have to play above the level we did last season, whether it be the level of intensity, skill or team chemistry," said Castelli.
Perhaps the most encouraging sign for Siena fans is that the team is still relatively young. This year's roster will have only two seniors and seven of the 13 players on the season-opening roster will be underclassmen. With such a strong core, the Green and Gold appear to be well-equipped in their quest to win back-to-back conference championships.
Frontcourt
What was a question mark going into last season turned out to be the strongest unit in the conference. Behind the play of then-senior Sacha Baker and a pair of Latvians, the frontcourt was the biggest reason the Saints made their first-ever appearance in the NCAA Tournament. This year's unit will be nearly as strong, if not stronger.
MAAC Player of the Year Gunta Basko returns for her junior season and is well on her way to becoming one of the top players in school history. The Latvian became the first sophomore ever to be named MAAC Player of the Year last season by leading the Saints in scoring, rebounding and steals. She has the ability to play with her back to the basket in the post as well as play outside the three-point arc, which makes her nearly impossible to defend. Basko will continue to be the focal point of the Saints' offense and must be ready for more attention from opposing defenses. Despite playing against players several inches taller, Basko led the conference in rebounding, highlighted by a 23-rebound performance against Iona. She is already among the top 25 scorers in school history and should eclipse the 1000-point plateau early this season.
Rounding out the Saints' potent Latvian one-two punch is center Liene Jansone, who won the MAAC Rookie of the Week award an unprecedented five consecutive weeks on her way to being named MAAC Rookie of the Year. She led all MAAC freshmen in scoring and rebounding and led all freshmen nationally in field goal percentage. Jansone was named the MAAC Tournament MVP after scoring 28 points in the final against Fairfield, including 20 in the second half. The Latvian uses her physical presence to dominate opposing defenders and is also tenacious on the boards. Castelli looks for Jansone to expand her game and show off her range and excellent touch on her jump shot which will make her even more difficult to defend.
Several others will compete for playing time in the frontcourt. Senior co-captain Meaghan McGonagle has the height and skills to be a force in the paint. The 6-4 center is mobile for her size and has added strength during the offseason as she aims to be more aggressive battling opposing post players. McGonagle, a tri-captain for the second straight year, will also be asked to step up as a leader on and off the court.
Sophomores Jolene Johnston and Sherron Burgess were both contributors during their rookie campaigns. Despite often being matched up against much-taller players in the paint, Johnston showed great tenacity on the defensive end and a resourceful and opportunistic scoring touch as well. She notched a double-double against Rider and poured in 21 points against Niagara. Johnston's enthusiasm and passion for the game is contagious. Burgess's season was cut short by a knee injury in mid-January. While she is still on the road to full recovery, Burgess is expected to be a major contributor for the Saints. The East Syracuse product has a dizzying array of post moves and uses her size and strength to be an effective and potentially dominant player in the paint.
Backcourt
Castelli will look for the Siena guards to be a steadying influence on the court once again. The backcourt will feature a blend of experience and youth that should keep the tempo quick and the pressure on opposing teams.
The starting guard duo will have a familiar look as junior tri-captains Erica Anderson and Mary McKissack figure to be fixtures on the perimeter. Anderson, who started every game last season, is the team's floor general. The point guard led the team in minutes and showed both qualities criticial to an effective point--the willingness to pass first and the ability to score when necessary. The junior was among the conference leaders in assists and assist-to-turnover ratio thanks to her vision and ability to take the ball to the basket. However, when needed, she proved to be the top clutch shooter on the team by showing an uncanny knack for making big shots in critical situations. The coaching staff is looking for Anderson to be more vocal and take on a leadership role. She will also be looked to as the Saints try to replace Sacha Baker's scoring and slashing ability.
For the Saints, Anderson is the ying to Mary McKissack's yang. The Detroit native started every game except Senior Day and was named the Saints' top defensive player last season. The junior is a player who does whatever it takes for her team to win, whether it be scoring, passing or defending. She had two of her top scoring outbursts in the MAAC Tournament. The coaching staff will look for McKissack to be more aggressive offensively this year as she has the physical ability and skills to break a defender down off the dribble as well as the range to knock down the outside jumper. She can be an explosive scorer as well as an electrifying passer who gets her teammates and the crowd involved.
Senior Chrissy Loeliger will see plenty of action and bring leadership to the Saints on and off the court. She has an excellent knowledge of the game and the Siena system. Loeliger is a pure shooter who can stretch defenses and also drive past her defender to create opportunities for others. Her sharpshooting will be key in preventing opposing defenses from collapsing on the Saints' post players.
Two sophomores who showed flashes of potential in their rookie campaigns will battle for floor time as well. Nathalie Marchino has the quickness and athletic ability to become a force on both ends of the floor. Castelli looks for her to compete for playing time as she improves her ability to finish when taking the ball to the hoop. Shimrit Gigi figures to factor in the backcourt as well. She was hampered by an injury for much of the season and has returned in better shape. Castelli singled her out as one of the most-improved players on the team. Gigi is capable of running the point, but can also use her excellent shooting ability to play at the off-guard or the small forward positions.
Junior Tiziana Franciamore walked onto the team her freshman year and will once again be an outside shooting specialist off the bench. Her work ethic and winning attitude could translate into more playing time this year.
Newcomers
A pair of fresh faces will challenge for playing time in the backcourt as well. Sarah Craft, who tranferred to Siena from Mitchell Community College in Connecticut, is a prolific scorer who starred at nearby South Glens Falls High School. Craft has two years of eligibility remaining, and Castelli expects her to step in and become an immediate contributor. She has a well-rounded offensive game with the ability to hit the three as well as slash to the basket fearlessly. As a junior, Craft has made the transition to Division I basketball smoothly both on and off the court.
Lauren Surber from Sayville, N.Y. will also challenge for floor time as she recovers from an ACL injury that cut short her senior season in high school. Surber is a scrappy, slashing guard who is an excellent pull-up shooter. She gives maximum effort on the court and the Saints look for her to grow more comfortable as she recovers from her injury.
