Northern Tier News

Mansfield University Athletics issued the following announcement on Nov. 12.

At the helm of a hungry group of 18 athletes, first-year head coach Amy Senefelder will headline a new era of Mansfield University women's basketball as they open the 2021-22 season on Saturday, Nov. 12.

Featuring eight returners from 2019-20 (last season of competition) and 10 newcomers, the Mounties launch their season at home in Decker Gymnasium on Saturday, Nov. 13 for a 4 p.m. non-conference contest against D'Youville College.

Following a nearly two-year long hiatus from play, the Mounties will focus on forming an identity as they begin to blend the experience of senior players with the raw talent of sophomores and freshman who have yet to play at the college level.

"Unfortunately, some of have not played a game in two years because their senior year of high school was not there," Senefelder said on the team's new additions. "We have been practicing every day, six days a week. So, I think they are getting used to the speed, but it's really hard to tell because we have not scrimmaged against an outside opponent."

Returning seniors Paige Whitfield, Kira Merritt, Sydney Reed and Hanna Johnson have been recognized by Senefelder as leaders for the upcoming season, but Senefelder also wants to highlight the growth shown by junior Jasmine Hilton.  

"She is not a senior, but she also does a good job vocally leading," Senefelder said. "In practice she is always encouraging and is very skilled."

This year, the Mounties look to improve upon a 1-25 conference record from the previous 2019-20 season by expanding their roster from 11 to 18, while returning their leaders in points (Hilton), assists (Merritt), minutes (Whitfield) and 3-point field goals (Reed).  

Hilton, in particular, is ready to have a breakout year after being named Team MVP in 2019-20.

"I told her (Hilton) she could be an All-Conference player if she would make a couple adjustments. She is super athletic and I am hoping she can be a leader in points and rebounds. She is very athletic, quick, and coachable with a good attitude. All those things are going her way."

Although they will feature a ton of growth, the Mounties return their top-four minute leaders and have seven players with a collegiate start under their belt.

As a first-year head coach for the Mounties, Senefelder also hopes to introduce her own style of play and fundamental-based system.

"I am more of a half court person," Senefelder said. "I am not huge on run-and-gun and pressing for 40 minutes," Senefelder reveals. "I like to run our stuff well, play our half-court defense well, and try to focus on the fundamentals."

Volunteer assistant coach John Davis will return from the 2019-20 season to join Senefelder courtside.

"We have a very coachable group," Senefelder added. "Everyone has been on the same page and we all have the same goal in mind."

FRONTCOURT

The Breakdown: Hilton will command the front court after averaging 10.2 points per game in 27 starts as a freshman. She will be joined by fellow returners Paige Whitfield, who adds inside defense, and Alivia Paeglow, who provides length and ability around the rim.

Whitfield, who can play all five positions, returns for her fifth season with the Mounties. Whitfield is the most experience player on the roster and also has postseason experience as she was a key member of the first team in program history to reach the PSAC Postseason Tournament in 2017-18. Whitfield averaged a career-high 9.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists and was second on the team with 1.9 steals.

Sophomore Logan Nutt has had a year of training with the program and has been a pleasant surprise for Senefelder as she ties to feel out the roster. Nutt is one of the tallest players on the roster and will be in the rotation. Fellow sophomore Kayla Cincilla can is also expected to contribute and will see early minutes in the frontcourt.  

The front court will include further depth in freshman Shannen Hinchey.

Coach's Take: "Paige (Whitfield) will start for us in a three-guard position and be able to defend inside. We will also have Jas (Hilton) and Logan (Nutt), who can play at the four or five position. Logan Nutt has been a post presence. Alivia (Paeglow) will be someone to step in. Kayla Cincilla will also get some inside minutes. We have a solid group that give us some flexibility. If someone has to play 40 minutes because they're producing, that is what will happen. But I could see us going eight-nine deep. It looks like there's a few players that are kind of interchangeable at this point, so it will be interesting to see them on the court Saturday."

BACKCOURT

The Breakdown: The guard position is dense with talent and senior Kira Merritt is at the forefront. Merritt ranked first in assists (87) last season and will be relied on to run the new offense.

As a versatile player with the ability to play every position on-court, Whitfield will also see significant minutes in the front court, with the ability to guard and knock down jumpers.

Fellow senior and 3-point leader from 2019-20, Sydney Reed, will be called upon to stretch the floor. Reed knocked down a team-high 39 trifectas in 2019-20, finishing the season with a 39 percent 3-point percentage, the highest among starters.

Sophomore Kenedy Stroup will bring athleticism to the guard position coming off a strong year as a forward on the Mansfield University field hockey team. Stroup scored four goals and collected a pair of assists.

Of the freshman class, Kristen Fulford has been impressive in her first preseason as both a defender and scorer. Fulford will share point guard minutes with Merritt as well as playing along side her to add an extra ball handler to the floor.  

Returners Bella Skatell and Hanna Johnson and sophomore Emilie Leidig, have found their rhythm this preseason and will provide scoring from the outside. Skatell came on to the scene late last season and secured a spot in the Mountaineer record books when she went 5-of-5 from 3-point land and 6-of-6 from the field.

Johnson appeared in 22 games during her freshman campaign, shooting 67 percent from three and recording double-digit minute totals in five games.  

Now junior, Jasmine Perez, is an athletic two-way guard who is a pesk on the defensive in and can knock down a consistent mid-range jumper. Perez led the team with 55 steals in 2019-20, while finishing fifth in the PSAC in steals per game (2.0).

The backcourt will be rounded out by sophomore Taylor Riddick, and freshmen Ashlyn Clark, Madison Watts and Madison Kluska as depth from the bench.

Coach's Take: "Kira (Merritt) and Kristen (Fulford) will run the offense. Kristen has been a little spark from the freshman. Also, Kennedy once she gets used to the system after joining us late after field hockey, is going to be a very good player. She is athletic, can defend and rebound. She has made an immediate impact since she has started. Paige (Whitfield) sometimes will run the offense as well because she can play positions 1-5. Sydney Reed, Bella Skatell, Hanna Johnson and Emilie Leidig have all shot the ball well."  

Original source can be found here.