Expectations rise for Harper women

There were times last year where Rusty Becker had to literally orchestrate every little detail in his first tour as Harper College women's basketball coach.

This year Becker expects to see a team playing in a more natural rhythm.

"With the kids returning it's more of a basketball team," said Becker, whose first team went 8-17. "They have more instincts, so we can strategize a little better because the kids have a feel for the game.

"They're a lot more athletic and a lot more basketball-smart. It's a matter of how soon the kids can put it together. As long as the kids play together they'll be fine."

Sophomore Larissa Coldebella (Prospect) is excited after leading the team in scoring at 13.6 points a game and in assists at 4.3 a game.

The all-Region IV and second-team all-N4C pick is a preseason second-team NJCAA Division III All-American.

And Coldebella won't mind if her numbers decrease because of the increase of surrounding talent.

"Larissa made the comment the other day that it's nice to not have to score so much," Becker said.

Center Jenny Murray (Barrington) was second for the Hawks in scoring (12.2 ppg), and their leading rebounder (9.5). Murray and freshman Kassie Kissane (Dundee-Crown) will be counted on for a lot of the rugged work inside.

"They're pretty tough underneath," Becker said. "If they get the ball and control it we can get out and run."

Which will be good news for the Hawks with the addition of all-area guard Katy Spencer (Palatine) and guard Emily Vierneisel (Jacobs).

Spencer can score and will take some of the ballhandling pressure off Coldebella, and Vierneisel is a dangerous outside threat.

Sophomore Megan Kunzendorf started last year and will see a lot of time at guard.

Freshman guard-forward Crissy Wise (Maine East), who is returning from volleyball, and freshman point guard Cyndi Smith (Wheeling) add to the Hawks' depth.

Becker thinks this team can succeed offensively on the run or in the half-court. Defensively the Hawks will play mostly man-to-man with a little 2-3 zone.

And Becker hopes this year's Harper team is ready to battle defending N4C champion Joliet, College of DuPage and Rock Valley in the conference race.

"We'll know by December what kind of team we have," Becker said. "They're eager, they want to win and show everybody they're at Harper to make some noise."