Nov. 17, 2009

The little things.

It is not a reference to the size of the team, which truthfully, is on the smaller side compared to recent years.

It’s all about performing the intangibles, the fundamentals, things that a boxscore does not necessarily reflect: team defending, finishing, leadership.

It is a good approach to the 2009-10 season, in which the UMass Lowell women’s basketball team returns six players (after graduating five) and three starters while welcoming six newcomers eager to solidify places.

The River Hawks are looking to rebound from an uncharacteristic 8-19 overall record and a 5-17 clip in the Northeast-10 Conference in 2008-09. But consider the following:

• Against the top four teams in the Conference – NCAA Tournament finalist Franklin Pierce, Stonehill, Bentley and American International College – UMass Lowell went 1-7, losing by an average of 5.6 points.

• The River Hawks’ 19 losses were by an average of a mere 1.1 points while 15 were by 10 points or less.

In too many cases in 2008-09, UMass Lowell had its opponents by the jugular but didn’t squeeze.

“Last year is overwith,” said Head Coach Kathy O’Neil. “The biggest thing is that we come out this year ready to play hard, rebound and defend. I think we have good leadership with Jen (Valente) and Krissy (Little).”

Outside of the NE-10, UMass Lowell went 3-2, suffering its first non-conference loss in nearly three years.

The River Hawks return a corps of veterans, solid at each position, led by Valente, a senior who paced the River Hawks in scoring 14 times last season (12.0 ppg, .508 FG%, .778 FT%).

One of the most accurate post players in program history with a .483 clip – pitting her in the top 10 career leaders – Valente ranked fourth among NE-10 leaders. She can expect to draw double and triple teams this season.

That said, waiting on the wings at any given time will be senior guards Megan Berry and Rahshala Valentine and Little, a junior.

Berry, who has also carved her name into the UMass Lowell record books among career 3-point leaders, chipped in 9.4 points while shooting .358 from behind the arc (59-165).

Particularly dangerous on the break, her 2.3 treys per game ranked third among the Conference’s 3-point markswomen.

Valentine returns to the point after compiling 9.8 points and 3.8 assists and also developed into a long range threat, converting .358 of her 3-point attempts (34-95).

Also thriving in transition, Valentine isn’t afraid about driving to the basket. She went to the free throw line 77 times last year, converting at a .753 clip.

In talking about the intangibles of the game, Little has become a symbol of such, prompting O’Neil to make her a co-captain alongside Valente.

Little appeared in 26 games last season (11.3 minutes per) with one start and will no doubt see more action than a year ago.

Also expected to contend for starting spots are sophomores Sha’Nay Bushner and Meghan Kirwan, both of whom saw significant action off the bench last year with many flashes of promise.

Bushner, an athletic 6-footer, who can play three positions has an array of moves. Kirwan, a similar player who can play either guard, may also crack the starting lineup, and will certainly be counted upon for more.

Sophomore center Kristin Nalivaika, much improved from her freshman season, will also likely see more action after appearing in four games last year. Also bolstering the front court will be the return of Liz Desir, who sat out last season due to injuries but returns for her senior year.

“We are going to be more of a perimeter team,” said O’Neil. “We have 7-8 kids who could be in our starting five. But it’s not how you start a game, it’s how you finish.”

The graduation of Revital Carmon, Antonnea Robinson and Bridgette Hooker leaves a significant void for O’Neil to fill. But the six players who make up the 2009-10 incoming class bring in plenty of talent, passion and savvy.

Heading the list is senior guard Amanda McGrew (Santa Monica, CA), who played three impact seasons at the University of Rhode Island and transfers to UMass Lowell to play her final year and earn a second degree. In her junior season (2007-08) at URI, she put together averages of 9.5 points while shooting .385 from 3-point range.

Also looking for immediate minutes is freshman guard Bianca Simmons (Middletown, CT) who could earn a share of starts following a stellar career at Mercy H.S., where she was a three-time Conference all-star.

Freshman Brianna Calver (Shelby, OH) adds immediate depth to the backcourt and can play either the one or two spots. Calver was also a three-time all-conference standout who graduated as Shelby’s all-time leader in assists and 3-point field goals.

Also new to the program, though not to the athletic department, is senior guard Stacey Lajoie (Gardner, MA), who finished her softball career last spring as one of UMass Lowell’s best-ever players. A four-year basketball standout during her days at Gardner H.S., Lajoie was the Mid-Wachusett League Most Valuable Player as a senior and led the Wildcats to four straight MWL titles.

Freshmen Sarah Bennett (Newark, OH) and Briana Szidat (Pelham, NH), both 6-1 and 6-3, respectively, will help buffer the River Hawks frontcourt losses. Bennett earned many honors during her career at Newark H.S., including all-conference twice; while local standout Szidat was a 1,000-point scorer at Pelham H.S. where she earned all-star billing from The Sun and the Eagle Tribune.

“(The newcomers) have worked hard,” O’Neil noted. “They bring a lot of energy and basketball is very important to them.”

The River Hawks open the season Wednesday, Nov. 18 at Saint Michael’s and return home Nov. 21-22 to host the Valley Cup Classic against Caldwell College and Bloomfield.

Highlighting the month of December, UMass Lowell enters the AIC Holiday Classic where it meets Concordia (NY) and Wilmington (DE), before returning to its grueling NE-10 slate Jan. 2 at Stonehill.

The Northeast-10 Tournament is slated for Sunday, Feb. 28 through Sunday, Mar. 7.