'Roo Women's Basketball 2012-2013 Season Preview

After an injury plagued season that saw the Austin College women's basketball team finish 4-21 last year, the 'Roos are back to full health under third year head coach Michelle Filander, and led by All-Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference point guard Christina Kime, the team will be looking to challenge for the conference crown in the 2012-2013 season. 

Austin College will be hosting this year's SCAC Tournament in February, and the young squad features more size and athleticism than any Kangaroo team in recent years. Seven letter winners return this season, including starting guards Kime and Lexi Beeson as well as forwards Brooke Melton, who missed most of last year, and Erin Riley, who was out for the season. Shayna Clardy, the team's lone senior and captain, also returns after missing much of last year. 

Kime was the runner-up for SCAC Newcomer of the Year honors last year after posting averages of 14.1 points and 4.4 assists per game and closed out the year with a triple double in a victory over Trinity. Kime also led the conference in minutes played in her first year of college ball. 

Clardy, a three year starter, comes into the season as one of the team's top perimeter threats, having knocked down 83 three pointers in 54 career games and boasts a career average of 8.7 points per game. She is also expected to be one of the team's top perimeter defenders this season. Riley averaged 7.0 points and 4.3 rebounds per game two seasons ago and brings versatility to the forward position, possessing the ability to score in the lane or step out to the arc and knock down deep jumpers. 

Melton also returns this season with career averages of 6.3 points and 6.2 rebounds per game and has 25 blocked shots in 35 games through her first two seasons. Beeson started 17 games at guard last year, averaging 3.3 points per game. Also back to provide added depth are guard Mikayla Elliott and wing forward Jenna Longo. 

This year the 'Roos welcome nine new players, including Texas Women's University transfer Jacqui Nickell along with eight freshmen. The new crop of players brings tremendous size to the program, with four players measuring in at 5-11 or taller, including 6-2 post players Chrissy Ray and Brittany Stepanski. 

While a lack of experience could be a stumbling block for this year's team, which features 11 underclassmen, coach Filander points to the strong programs where this year's freshmen played their high school ball, with several players competing deep into the postseason last year. 

This season coach Filander will be looking for some of that postseason experience to carry over as the 'Roos host the conference tournament with hopes of keeping the SCAC Championship in Sherman.