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Barnes, Penguins look to keep improving
By Greg Gulas
AUSTINTOWN
Youngstown State women’s basketball coach John Barnes set a new school record for victories by a first-year coach with 15 last season, when he guided the Penguins to a third-place Horizon League finish and to the semifinals of the conference tournament.
They also became just the second team in the past 16 years to sweep league champion, Wisconsin-Green Bay.
The road to the league championship is a familiar one, having gone through the Phoenix since the 1997-98 campaign.
If YSU expects to improve on those numbers this season and contend for the league crown, then seven freshmen and two sophomores will need to join their four more experienced teammates and make significant contributions.
While speaking to the Curbstone Coaches during Monday’s weekly luncheon at Lucianno’s Banquet Center, Barnes said that the offseason was very productive as they focused on two very important areas.
“We want to be tougher, both mentally and physically, and Brian Sklenar, strength and conditioning coach did an excellent working with the team,” Barnes said. “The NCAA permits us now to work with freshmen and after they arrived on campus June 28, they’ve worked really hard in order to get ready for the upcoming season.”
The team’s goals remain the same.
“While 15 wins was a nice number, it’s really nothing to brag about so we definitely want to improve on that number,” Barnes said. “Our goals are the same in that we want to win the league, then the conference tournament and when that happens then an NCAA tournament bid will follow.”
Barnes will depend on the leadership of two seniors, Heidi Schlegel, last year’s scoring leader, and Latisha Walker, who started 22 of 31 games a season ago and averaged six rebounds.
“Heidi is our team leader and an incredibly hard worker while Latisha is ready for a break-out season. Also returning is Jenna Hirsch, and she will play an even bigger role than she did a season ago,” Barnes said.
Incoming freshmen include Indiya Benjamin (Lima), Nikki Arbanas (Hermitage, Pa.), Ashley Kirila (Brookfield), Sarah Cash (Lordstown), Krista Pietropola (Plum, Pa.), Morgan Olson (Nappanee, Ind.) and Kelley Wright (Hessei, Mich).
The Penguins will open their season Nov. 15 when they play host to Niagara. In addition to a full Horizon League schedule, they will travel to Kent State on Nov. 18, take part in the Tennessee State Holiday Tournament on Nov. 29-30,; travel to Pittsburgh on Dec. 21 and host Akron on Dec. 29.
“Our schedule this year is going to be a real challenge,” Barnes said. “In addition to UW-Green Bay, other Horizon League teams to watch include tournament champion and NCAA automatic qualifier Wright State, Cleveland State and the University of Illinois-Chicago.”
Practice officially begins on Oct. 6 as the team is permitted to start 40 days prior to their first game with 30 practices permitted during that stretch.
Next week, Rick King, All-American Conference commissioner will serve as the Curbstone Coaches guest speaker.