Steve Finkernagel

WILKES WOMEN’S BASKETBALL GAME NOTES VS. KEYSTONE

11/17/2011 9:15:00 AM

WILKES WOMEN'S BASKETBALL GAME NOTES VS. KEYSTONE

Wilkes Lady Colonels vs. Keystone Giants
Thursday, November 17, 2011 - 6:00 P.M.
LaPlume, Pa. / Ace Spalding Arena

Live Audio

AT A GLANCE
The Lady Colonels continue their road stretch to open the 2011-12 season as they travel to Keystone College Thursday night in La Plume, Pa. Wilkes took the most recent meeting with the Giants, an 80-57 win on December 13, 2008 in the Marts Center.

LAST TIME OUT
The Lady Colonels open the 2011-12 season with an easy 83-30 victory at Penn State Hazleton on Tuesday in Hazleton, Pa. Freshman guard Elena Stambone (Jessup, PA/Valley View) paced the Lady Colonels with 18 points in her collegiate debut. Junior Megan Kazmerski (Kingston, PA/Holy Redeemer) followed with 12 points and five rebounds, while rookie forward Chelsea Brown (Garnet Valley, PA/Garnet Valley) recorded her first career double-double with 10 points and a team-high 11 boards in her first game at Wilkes. Amanda Pawlowski (Nanticoke, PA/Holy Redeemer) ran the Wilkes offense with six assists on the night.

As a team, Wilkes shot 50.0 percent (32-64) from the floor and 38.9 percent (7-18) from behind the arc in coach Heery's new uptempo style of play. The Lady Colonel defense was just as efficient causing 26 Lion turnovers while claiming 21 steals in the contest.

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 W. Connolly Jr. G A. Palmerio
Jr. G M. Kazmerski Jr. G A. Pawlowski

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). Kazmerski jumped out to a quick start in the Lady Colonels win at PSU Hazleton scoring 12 points, grabbing five rebounds, and leading the squad with five steals in 20 minutes of action.

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 registered six assists at PSU Hazleton.

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