BLUE TIGERS STRIVE FOR IMPROVEMENT

   When the Blue Tigers open their season tomorrow night in Jason Gymnasium, it will be their first opportunity to begin anew, after a disappointing campaign in 2005-06 (1-23 overall, 1-11 Heartland Conference).  The Blue Tigers tip off the season against reigning Lone Star Conference North Division Champion, Southwestern Oklahoma State University at 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 15 in Jason Gymnasium.  The Bulldogs from Weatherford, Okla. are led by 2005-06 Lone Star Conference North Division, Newcomer of the Year, Andrea Oldham (sr. 6-0, C).  Oldham was tabbed second for 2006-07 Lone Star North Division Player of the Year.

   The Lincoln University women’s basketball team is anticipating the start of their 2006-07 season to change the trend occurring within their program.  Since becoming a varsity sport in the 1976-77 academic year, the Blue Tigers have posted nine overall winning seasons and just one season of conference play with a positive record (2002-03, Heartland Conference, 6-4).  In the last 16 years, the Blue Tigers have produced only one overall winner (2003-04, 13-12).  The last victorious campaign before 2003-04 was 1988-89 when the Blue Tigers coached by Leo E. Lewis ended 14-12 overall.

   The Blue Tigers return three players from 2005-06, who accounted for 30 percent of their scoring.  Tiffannie Wolfe (10.9 points-per-game, 7 rebounds-per-game), Claire Jenkins (2.9 ppg, 2.3 rpg) and Swasha Shaw (1.5 ppg, 2.8 rpg) will be looked upon to increase their production while chemistry develops in game action over the beginning of the season with the newcomers.  In limited action last season, Wolfe (19 games, 17 starts) was 47th in NCAA DII with 2.7 steals-per-game.

   “I’m excited about this year,” said women’s basketball head coach Tim Abney.  “We’ve got a lot of new faces.”

   Abney is the second winningest women’s basketball coach at Lincoln University, 56-124 (.311).  Lewis tops the list with a career mark of 117-221 (.346).

   In addition to the three returning Blue Tigers, trying to get minutes on the court is a recruiting class of seven.  Heading the list of new Blue Tigers is Jasmine Washington (jr., 5-8, G), a transfer from South Suburban College in South Holland, Ill.  Also being counted on for the Blue Tigers are transfer guards Brezette Elder-Wade (sr., 5-8), Nakea Bates (jr., 5-4) and Rachelle Watkins (jr., 5-7).  Freshmen looking to make an impact for the Blue Tigers are Cherika Ramsey (5-5, G), Stacey Smith (5-11, G/F) and LaToya Derrick (5-6, G).

   “We’ll play more up tempo than in the past,” noted Abney.  “We need to utilize the advantage of our speed and quickness.”

   The Blue Tigers, who finished the 2005-06 season in the cellar of the Heartland Conference

were pegged for a similar fate by a panel of the leagues’ head coaches and sports information directors.  Lincoln University picked up 15 points and a nod for sixth place in the 2006-07 Heartland Conference Preseason Poll.

      By the time calendars are flipped to the New Year, the Blue Tigers will have been tested by a tough schedule that includes 2005 National Champion, Washburn (Kan.) University, 2006 Lone Star Conference participant Southwestern Oklahoma, 2006 MIAA Postseason Tournament qualifiers Missouri Western, Pittsburg (Kan.) State and Truman (Mo.) State, Great Lakes Valley Conference semifinalist Missouri-Rolla and a possible game with Quincy (Ill.) University, the 2004 and 2005 Great Lakes Valley Conference Champion.   Also on the docket are games with Heartland Conference Postseason Tournament qualifiers St. Mary’s (Texas) University, Montana State University-Billings, Oklahoma Panhandle State University and St. Edward’s (Texas) University.  The Rattlers of St. Mary’s captured the Heartland Conference bid to the 2006 NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball Tournament by winning the 2006 Heartland Conference Postseason Tournament. 

   If the Blue Tigers are to begin the process of turning their program into a consistent winner it starts with being able to compete with the best in NCAA Division II, an opportunity they will have often in the 2006-07 season.