REIMER HAS SPARTANS TAKING ON ALL CHALLENGES...
CLEVELAND, OH (December 6, 2007) - Jennifer Reimer is just seven games into her first-year as head coach of the Case Western Reserve University women's basketball team, but already she has her team playing a style of basketball that could make this winter an exciting one in University Circle.
Recovering from a 1-3 start, the Spartans have won three in a row following their 74-61 win over Ohio Wesleyan University Saturday and have shown that they are a much improved squad from last year and should be ready for the tough schedule that lies ahead.
“I think all of these tough games early on our schedule are important for us so we are ready for the tough conference schedule later on,” Reimer said. “It doesn't do us a lot of good to schedule a lot of games against lower quality opponents. Playing good opponents will give us the kind of experience we need to learn from so we don't make the same mistakes we are making now down the stretch.”
On Thanksgiving weekend, Reimer and the Spartans traveled to Kentucky for the Thomas More Shootout where they went 1-1, claiming a victory over Centre College, while losing a closely contested 70-63 contest to defending NCAA Division III national champions and currently eighth-ranked DePauw University.
“Two weekends ago in Kentucky was really big for us,” Reimer said. “We really improved on a lot the facets of our defense and we played pretty consistently all weekend. Coming back from that tournament, we had a good practice and it's starting to feel like we're starting to practice at a consistent and high level.”
The team's schedule won't get any easier when they return from the Surf City Classic in Orange County, Calif., as the Spartans will begin their UAA schedule on Jan. 12 when they face nationally ranked opponents such as New York University (No. 5), Washington University (No. 14), the University of Rochester (No. 16) and the University of Chicago (No. 21).
Washington lost to DePauw in the title game a year ago and NYU also advanced to the Final Four. However, Reimer believes her team will be up to the challenge of competing with the nation's best this season.
“I think we are still continuing to get adjusted to one another, but I think it's coming along at the right pace,” Reimer said. “At Allegheny [her previous coaching stop], we didn't go up against the nationally ranked teams night after night, but that's part of the reason I wanted to be a part of Case Western Reserve. It's fun to scout those teams and learn more about those teams and work at a higher level.”
The Spartans have had a solid combination of scoring, both inside and on the perimeter from senior captains Ashley Horton (Akron, OH) and Mary Herendeen (Austinburg, OH), while sophomore Ashleigh Tondo (McDonald, OH) has done a solid job of running the point in only her second season as a Spartan.
Horton has recorded four-consecutive double-doubles and was named the UAA Co-Athlete of the Week Nov. 26. Horton has been a force inside for the Spartans and has shown leadership both on and off the court.
“Ashley has been very consistent in her scoring, but the way she rebounded this weekend is something we're going to see more of this year,” Reimer said. “Everyone is really stepping it up, but it's nice to see our captains leading the way.”
Herendeen has started her senior campaign by drilling 20 three-pointers in seven games, shooting 42.6 percent from beyond the arc, while averaging 14.7 points per game so far.
“Mary has shown us she has the ability to create her own shots,” Reimer said. “I knew she could come off screens and hit an open shot, but she's done things off the dribble with defenders keying on her that have been really nice to see.”
At the point, Tondo has averaged 6.6 assists per game thus far and has impressed with her ability to direct the team as only a sophomore.
“(Ashleigh) is an amazing athlete,” Reimer said. “She's doing such a great job at the point and not only is she a good player now, but she has shown the potential to become an even better player.”
Before heading to California to compete in the Surf City Classic from Dec. 27-Jan. 2, the Spartans will host one more game in 2007 when they take on the College of Wooster Dec. 8. Game time is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. at Horsburgh Gym.
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