2007-08 Iowa Conference preview

2007-08 season outlook           

Laura PorterAfter two seasons of adjustments to playing styles and strategies, third-year coach Natalie Nakic no longer has to mask any lineup voids on her Central College women’s basketball team.
           
The only thing the Dutch are lacking is experience as some furious recruiting efforts by Nakic resulted in a deep and promising freshman class. The most obvious upgrade is up front as the previously undersized Central squad now has three players who stand taller than 6-feet and three others at 5-10. That gives Central the option of continuing to use the running game or going half-court.
           
“This affords us the luxury to do both,” Nakic said. “We can still play up-tempo. Our forwards are very athletic and our centers get up and down the floor pretty well. But we’re not restricted to that. It’s a great luxury to have.”
           
Another luxury is the return of last year’s leading scorer and team MVP, 5-6 senior point guard Laura Porter, who gives the young Dutch maturity and leadership at a position where it’s needed most. Porter averaged 15.2 points and 4.1 rebounds last year while dishing out 4.3 assists, more than twice as many as any other player on the squad. She was also the team steals leader with 1.7 per game.
           
A first-team all-Iowa Conference pick, Porter will lead Central’s bid to gain a spot in the six-team conference tourney after missing out with a 4-12 league mark last year and a 6-19 overall record.
           
Central starts the year with eight letterwinners, including three returning starters. A fourth, 5-10 forward Emily De Jong, is spending the fall semester in Europe through Central’s study abroad program and is expected to join the team after Christmas.
           
The bulk of Central’s experience remains in the guard court, starting with Porter, who already ranks fifth on Central’s all-time career assists list.
           
“She’s definitely led this team,” Nakic said. “She’s a great floor general and a clutch player.”
           
She’ll get some help at the point from 5-6 sophomore Ashley Gerst. She transferred to Central for the second semester last season and appeared in 10 games but is now better prepared to direct the offense.
           
“Ashley’s made some great strides,” Nakic said. “It’s taken a while for her to get familiar with the system. But she’s playing well in her role as point guard and got a lot stronger in the off season.”
           
Mary SwansonAlso back is 5-6 senior Mary Swanson, who played in 24 games last year.
           
“Mary had a great off-season,” Nakic said. “She’s a tremendous shooter and has improved her defense. She’s a lot stronger in her stance and has become a better two-way player.”
           
Emily Conway, a 5-8 junior, is a two-time letterwinner at off guard. She contributed 5.3 points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists last year.
           
“Emily worked off-season,” Nakic said. “We’re hoping she builds on the way she was playing at the end of last season. She’s a good offensive player and one of our strongest defensive players.”
           
Ashley Feldman, a 5-7 sophomore, and Jennifer Weiland, a 5-5 sophomore, each lettered with more limited roles as freshmen.
           
“Ashley is a tireless worker and a great teammate,” Nakic said. “She’s very enthusiastic about the game, wants to get better and really works at it.

“Jen’s work ethic and positive attitude helped get her through a tough off-season after suffering a knee injury. I have no doubt she will return to being the hard-nosed, super-intense player she is and has the potential to be a good floor general.”
           
Until De Jong returns, 5-9 junior Erin Benson is the only player with significant experience anywhere but guard. She started 17 games last season and was the team’s third-leading scorer, averaging 7.6 points and 4.7 rebounds.
           
“Erin is very athletic and our most versatile player,” Nakic said. “She has the ability to create things on offense and is a good defensive player. She gives us a strong presence on both ends of the floor.”
           
De Jong, a two-year starter, averaged 9.4 points and 6.2 rebounds last season. Her level of play depends on how quickly she can hit her stride after a semester in Europe.
           
“We’re hoping she can continue to be an offensive presence,” Nakic said. “She’s able to spearhead things on the defensive end and was our leading rebounder. We need her experience.”
           
The rest of the interior will be in freshman hands.
           
Emily De Jong“We’re going to count on them playing a big role right away,” Nakic said.
           
Which newcomers play the most significant of those roles remains uncertain.
           
“It’s going to be interesting to see how the season plays itself out with all the new faces,” Nakic said. “It may take a while, but our expectations are pretty high. The freshmen come from winning programs and know what it takes to be successful. And our upperclassmen are doing a great job of leading them and showing them by example.”
           
A rise in the Iowa Conference standings may be expected, but it won’t be easy. NCAA Division III playoff veterans Luther and Simpson return veteran squads and many other teams figure to be improved.
           
“A lot of the teams that were in the middle of the pack have good incoming classes,” Nakic said. “But we’ll definitely compete. We’re hoping for a conference tournament berth. It all depends on how quickly we come together.”   
           
But Nakic is excited about entering the conference clashes with a rookie class that can provide Central with the weapons to compete.
           
“We’ve got some good shooters, good height and some athleticism which fits well into our system,” she said.