The Shawnee State University Women’s Basketball Team looks to continue its proud and successful tradition in the 2000-2001 season. The Bears have won five consecutive regular season conference championships and have made seven straight national championship appearances. The Bears’ crowning moment came in 1999 when they won the NAIA Division II National Championship. The 2000-2001 squad looks to add another jewel to the crown and bring another National Title home to Portsmouth.

Despite the loss of four senior starters, (including 1^st Team All-American Kelli Smith and Honorable Mention All-American Brandi Baker) the Bears boast a solid group of returning players. Becky Holden, Brandy Humphrey, Cheri Griffith, and Susie Kline all earned valuable playing time on the 1999 championship run.

Holden and Humphrey are the lone seniors on the squad, and this young team will look to them for leadership on and off the court. Holden started all 30 of the team’s contests last season. Coach Robin-Hagen Smith says, "Becky is a hard nosed, aggressive player. She is a defensive specialist and a great leader." Humphrey was the 3^rd leading scorer on last year’s team averaging 7.0 points per game in just 16 minutes a game. She will get a lot more minutes this season to showcase her abilities. "She is extremely athletic, and is by far the best one-on-one player on the team," says Hagen-Smith.

Junior Cheri Griffith will take over at the point this season for the Bears. "Cheri is lightening quick. She can push the ball up the floor and she makes good decisions. She will be the floor leader for us this season," says Coach Hagen-Smith.

Camey Geiman, Angie Ingram, Ashley See, and Abby Workman make up a very talented sophomore class. Geiman was the lone freshman to play in every game last season. Despite playing only 15 minutes per contest last year, she was the 3^rd leading rebounder on the team (4.8 per game). "She is a tough competitor who seems to come up with the big plays; and she can play inside or outside." Ingram saw limited time in 23 games last season, but she comes into this year having lost a lot of weight. She showed flashes of promise last season including an 18 point effort against Mt. Vernon Nazarene last season. Her better physical condition should allow her to tap into the considerable potential she possesses.

Ashley See also played in 23 games last season. She made the most of her limited time as she connected on 43.8% of her 3-point attempts. Look for her time to increase dramatically this year.

Columbus State Community College transfer, Stephanie Allard, is at the head of a very deep recruiting class for the Bears. Allard is the all-time leading scorer at CSCC with 756 points in her two-year career. Coach Hagen-Smith likes what she brings to the table. "Stephanie’s experience is going to be extremely valuable to this team. She is a definite zone-buster, and brings a winning attitude to this team."

Along with Allard, Bears newcomers include Mandy Goin, Teresa Campbell, and Maggie Unger. All three freshmen earned All-State honors during their high school careers. Goin is a 6-1 post player with very soft touch from 15 feet in. Campbell is an "action packed" point guard with a great pull-up jump shot. Unger is powerful front court player with exceptional strength. They have limitless potential and all of them have the potential to be impact players right out of the gate.

Coach Hagen-Smith said, "We have lost a lot of talent over the past couple of seasons, but I think we have filled the holes very well. This team is quicker than what we have had recently, and that will certainly help our press. I really believe that this is going to be a more balanced team as well. Our National Title was nice, but one is not enough. We are hungry for another, and I truly believe this team has the potential to take us there."