New is the word buzzing amongst Hood College’s women’s basketball team, as the Blazers head into the 2007-08 season. Equipped with a new style of play, new conference (Capital Athletic Conference), new head coach (Jay Butler) and new players, the team is looking to improve from last season’s 5-18 finish.

Sophomore Whitney Boyer and freshman Lena Bushrod will lead the Blazers at the point guard positions.

“Both have displayed great leadership qualities on the court and do an excellent job of getting players in positions that they need to be,” Butler said.
Boyer is back after missing all but one game last year because of a knee surgery.

“She has shown the ability to penetrate, and make the right decision whether to continue to the basket or pass it to an open teammate,” said Butler.

Bushrod is a true point guard that plays with a great amount of intensity and makes her teammates better by getting them the ball in places they can do something with it.

“We’re excited about the two point guards we have for the program, and if we continue to develop and get them some confidence we will be good to go,” Butler said.

At the wing position the Blazers will be led by junior Sara Wastler, one of the only returners with significant playing experience from last year. Wastler was the second-leading scorer on the team last season with a 9.6 scoring average.

“Sara is a player that has to get a lot of looks in games and we will provide plays for her to come off screens. She is as good of a shooter as anyone we will see this year,” Butler said.
Coming back after sitting out the first part of the season due to academic reasons is junior Whitney Schultheis. Schultheis is playing with a renewed passion, and has shown some great things in the preseason so far, including being very vocal on the court, Butler said. Schultheis also has stepped up in taking on a leadership role.

The last returner is sophomore Brianna Raithel. Raithel will serve mainly as a wing player, but may also see time at post, because of her rebounding ability.

“Bri is the type of player that goes out on the court and works really hard every time she is out there and she is also our best post entry passer,” Butler said.
The team will also look to two newcomers, freshman Allyson Lethbridge and junior transfer Jessica Parrish.

“Lethbridge early on has proven herself as a scorer,” Butler said, “And Jessica just joined us from the soccer team, but has shown a level of athletic ability and explosion that can be very effective in our offense.”

Three players will handle the Blazers’ front court.

Leading the charge in the post will be sophomore Jennifer Willison who was the team’s leading scorer (14.2 ppg) and rebounder (8.5 rpg) from last year.

“Jen is just a worker and like last year she is going to be one of our leading scorers. She’s incredibly athletic but she also gets a lot of ‘junk’ baskets and she is always around the glass,” Butler said.

The other post returner is sophomore Christi Valdez. Valdez is a vocal player, according to Butler, and as she becomes more comfortable with herself and the system she can be a key contributor.
“She has the attitude and physical skills to make an impact for the team,” he said.
The last post player is freshman Cecelia Davis, who has raw athletic talent and is very strong, Butler said. Everyday is a learning experience for her; she has the ability and size to be a great rebounder, as well as a solid defender.

“Our team will be recognized as a team that gets after it on the defensive side of the floor, and we want to play with defensive intensity and get after players,” Butler said. “And we want to make ourselves an uptempo team, but we have to become a great passing team and be able to run the floor.”