Season preview: Stevenson
Stevenson
Coach: Tom Dineen (third season, 32nd overall)
Last season: 21-9, 9-3 NSC Lake
Key losses: G Michelle O'Brien (Western Michigan University), G Anna Morrissey (Michigan State University), F McKinley Imus, F Ashley Niedermayer (Cornerstone University)
Returning players: Jr. G Kari Moffat, Sr. G Katie Batman, Sr. C Julia Dabrowski, Sr. G Hayley Arenson, Sr. G Olivia Whalen, Jr. F Alex Elzinga
Newcomers: Jr. G Haley Umans, Fr. G Sophia Way, So. G Megan Petrick, Fr. G Taylor Buford, Fr. C Jacqueline Green, Jr. G/F Paige Freudenberg
Season opener: host Rolling Meadows, 7 p.m. Monday
Outlook: The Patriots graduated a pair of all-area guards in Michelle O'Brien (Western Michigan) and Anna Morrissey (Michigan State) who are playing Division I basketball, but they return a three-year varsity point guard in Kari Moffat and have added three promising freshmen. "All three were with us in the summer and blended in real well," coach Tom Dineen said of Jacqueline Green, Taylor Buford and Sophia Way. "Sometimes you have freshmen up as a learning experience. But these girls are going to contribute right off the bat." Green, a 6-foot center, Buford, a 5-11 guard whose family moved in from the Indianapolis area in May, and Way, a 5-7 guard whose brother Jon starts for the football team, all are expected to start the season as the first players off the bench at their respective positions, Dineen said. Moffat, a varsity starter the last couple of years, is receiving Division I attention, Dineen said. Senior guard Katie Batman was one of the Patriots' first players off the bench the last two seasons and can shoot the ball. Senior guard Olivia Whalen, another good shooter, and 5-11 junior Alex Elzinga have been on varsity the last two years as well. Julia Dabrowski, a 6-3 senior who played sparingly last year, will get more playing-time and provides an insence presence. O'Brien (17.3 points, 10.3 rebounds last season) graduated as the Patriots' fourth all-time leading scorer and second all-time leading rebounder. Morrissey, McKinley Imus and Ashley Niedermayer are other starters whose contributions need to be replaced. "Big shoes to fill," Dineen said. "We may have a different style than in the past. Not that we're changing anything. But we may be a little more balanced."