Steve Finkernagel

LADY COLONELS BASKETBALL OPENS 2011-12 SLATE AT PSU HAZLETON

11/15/2011 10:39:00 AM

LADY COLONELS BASKETBALL OPENS 2011-12 SLATE AT PSU HAZLETON

Wilkes (0-0) vs. Penn State Hazleton (0-0)
Tuesday, November 15, 2011 / 6:00 p.m.
Hazleton, Pa.

AT A GLANCE
The Lady Colonels open their 2011-12 season as they travel to Penn State Hazleton Tuesday night in Hazleton, Pa. Wilkes has won each of the last three meetings, defeating the Nittany Lions 56-43 last season, 80-23 in 2009-10, and 74-62 in the 2008-09 season.

LAST TIME OUT
The Colonels finished the 2010-11 season with a loss to cross-town rival King's, 76-35 in the season finale. Wilkes went 6-19 during the season, including wins over Hazleton, Baptist Bible, and Susquehanna.

Megan Kazmerski (Kingston, PA/Holy Redeemer) is the leading returning scorer with 11.4 ppg, hitting double-figures a team-high 17 times during the season, including the last seven contests. She led the team with 186 rebounds (7.4 rpg) and flashed her defensive ability as she led Wilkes with 54 steals. Amanda Pawlowski (Nanticoke, PA/Holy Redeemer) is also back after starting in 23 of 24 contests played last season. She averaged 4.0 points and 3,5 rebounds while running the point for the Lady Colonels. She led the squad with 50 assists. Whitney Connolly (Liberty, PA/Liberty) led the team in minutes played at 31.6 and averaged 10.2 ppg and 5.4 rpg. Angela Palmerio (Telford, PA/Lansdale Catholic) is also back after averaging 17.7 minutes and 4.2 ppg while connecting on 10 three-pointers.

WHO'S GONE
The Lady Colonels lose their top scorer from last season with the graduation of All-Freedom guard Sam Lynam (Spinnerstown/Quakertown). Lynam averaged a team-best 19.6 ppg last season finishing her career eighth on the school's all-time scoring list with 1,040 points.

WHO'S BACK
Wilkes returns four players from a season ago, including two of its top three scorers in Jr. G Megan Kazmerski (Kingston, PA/Holy Redeemer) and Sr. G Whitney Connelly. Jr. G Amanda Pawlowski (Nanticoke, PA/Holy Redeemer) and Jr. G Angela Palmerio (Telford, PA/Lansdale Catholic) are also back combining for 27 starts last season in the Lady Colonel backcourt.

Sr. G Whitney Connolly (Liberty, PA/Liberty) Jr. G Angela Palmerio (Telford, PA/Lansdale Catholic)
Jr. G Megan Kazmerski (Kingston, PA/Holy Redeemer) Jr. G Amanda Pawlowski (Nanticoke, PA/Holy Redeemer)

THE CAPTAINS
The Lady Colonels will be captained by Sr. G Whitney Connelly and Jr. G Amanda Pawlowski (Nanticoke, PA/Holy Redeemer).
Whitney brings her all-around game back to the Lady Colonels for her final season, as she has 74 games and 48 starts under her belt. Starting all 25 games a season ago, she led the team in minutes with 31.6 mpg. Pawlowski, a junior captain, is also one of the most experienced Lady Colonels. Playing in 49 career games earning 48 starts, she has logged over 1,400 minutes on the court for Wilkes.

THE SCORER
Kazmerski led the Lady Colonels in scoring as a freshman scoring 11.5 ppg in her 26.6 mpg of action, then followed that ranking second on the team last year at 11.4 ppg in 31.1 mpg of play. She hit double figures 19 times during the season, including the final seven contests. With a 34.3 FG%, Kazmerski went 111-324 from the floor and also led the team with 7.5 rpg, including 153 defensive boards (6.1 pg).

ALL-AROUND
One of the most versatile players for the Lady Colonels, Connelly will look to be a major contributor on both ends of the floor again this season. Connelly, the lone senior on this year's squad, will take a large leadership role for Wilkes in the backcourt. Connolly started in all 25 contests last season posting
10.2 points and 5.4 rebounds while shooting 85 percent (91-107) from the charity stripe. She possesses the ability to break down defenders and create scoring opportunities for herself and her teammates.

RUNNING THE POINT
A 23-game starter as a sophomore last year, Pawlowski returns to the point for the Lady Colonels this year. Pawlowski averaged 4.0 points and 3.5 rebounds with a team-high 50 assists a year ago. With backcourt mate Connelly, the two look to form one of the finest guard tandems in the conference rich with talented guards throughout.

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