2005-06 Season Preview
Jarman hopes late season run carries over for Lady Monarchs in 2005-06

Putting arguably one of her youngest teams on the court last season, Methodist women’s head basketball coach DeeDee Jarman knew there would be the typical growing pains experienced by a youthful squad. However, those growing pains were a memory in the USA South Athletic Conference Tournament when the sixth-seeded Lady Monarchs stunned both Christopher Newport and Ferrum to reach the conference tournament championship game.

Only a few minutes separated Methodist from its third conference tournament championship and NCAA Division III National Tournament bid in the last four year. The Lady Monarchs dropped a hard fought 69-59 decision to Greensboro in the title game.

With all that in mind, Jarman hopes that late-season success will carry over for the Lady Monarchs in the 2005-06 season. Coming off a 12-15 campaign last season, Methodist is picked fourth in a tight USA South Athletic Conference preseason poll. The Lady Monarchs return four of their top five scorers.

“Knowing this team’s potential and what it can accomplish will carry over,” said Jarman, who is 131-86 in eight seasons at the Lady Monarch helm. “They gained a lot of experience last season, and growing and maturing on the court will help.

“Our teams in the past have been carried mostly by sophomores and juniors, and once again we’re young. However, we have tremendous talent returning, and the freshmen have shown enormous potential.”

The Lady Monarchs lost three starters off last season’s squad, but none was bigger than point guard Christen Snyder. She was a four-year starter who finished here career ranked third all-time at Methodist in assists.

Jarman will look to two players to share the duties at point guard. Senior Doris Richards (5-foot-3) has been a capable backup over the last three seasons to Snyder, while freshman Zan Messer (5-6) is the point guard of the future for the Lady Monarchs. Richards likes to push the ball and create offensively, while Messer is better in a half-court setting.

“I feel confident that either player can step in and direct the team,” Jarman said. “They will definitely give us some valuable minutes. Doris is a sparkplug defensively, and we hope that she can mold Zan into a quality point guard in the conference.”

Whoever is playing the point will have a strong core of shooters on the perimeter to select from as Methodist aims to improve on its 3-point shooting from last season. Sophomore Lisa Jackson (5-8) was Methodist’s leading scorer last season, averaging 10 points while shooting 34 percent from 3-point range. In addition, sophomore Ashley Harris (5-9) looks to improve from last season in which she averaged seven points and four rebounds.

That's only the beginning. Sophomore Courtney Bissette (5-9) saw action in 17 games last season and is true threat from the perimeter, while freshman Amanda Underwood (5-7) looks to make a contribution following a medical hardship last season. Freshmen Geya Norwood-Shaw (5-5), Shannon Newby (5-5) and Jana Estes (5-7) will also be in the mix on the perimeter.

“It will be a different look from last season, and our 3-point shooting should be better,” Jarman said. “Lisa (Jackson) continues to work hard and should get All-Conference consideration this season. What she needs to improve on is her shot selection and defense.

“We have the shooters, and I want them to look for more shots and make smart decisions.”

A key weakness over the last couple of years for the Lady Monarchs has been the interior post game. However, this season there should be no shortage of height and talent in the paint where Methodist is concerned.

Back at power forward is honorable mention All-USA South performer Stacy Williams, a 5-10 junior who averaged 10 points and six rebounds a game. Also back and looking to start at center is 6-1 junior Antionett Holliday, who averaged eight points and five rebounds a game while shooting 46 percent from the field.

Senior forward Monica Cheek (5-9) and sophomore center Chasele Hester (5-11) have battled preseason injuries, but Jarman expects them back in the mix soon.

“This is the best combination of post players that we’ve had here in a while,” Jarman said. “All are working hard with their moves inside and on their outside shooting. They are all talented, and I don’t feel like there’s any drop-off regardless of who is in the game.

“Antionett is an entirely different player from last season. She’s increased her stamina, and understands her role better and what the coaches expect from her.”

The two players that the veteran coach is raving about this preseason, however, are two freshman posts – 6-0 forward Ann Forsberg and 5-11 center Kristen Whitehurst.

“They will both contribute valuable minutes with their talent and that will be a major factor to our success,” Jarman said. “Forsberg is coming into her own in the post, but she will always have the green light to shoot from outside. Whitehurst, meanwhile, is going to surprise a lot of people with her play.”

The ingredients are there for a strong run at the USA South title for Methodist, especially considering how tight the race for the championship could develop as the season progresses.

“This could be one of the tightest seasons for the USA South since I’ve been here,” Jarman said. “Some of the teams are being overlooked. It will be competitive.”