Season Review (2009-2010)

The 2009-2010 season for the Cougars women's basketball team was a season filled with many highlights (great plays) and some lowlights (injuries) as well.

Every year the season starts off with tryouts in September, and 2009 was no different. We knew we had 4 players coming back from last year, all projected starters. On the first day of tryouts, sophomore Erinn Troyer tore her ACL in a scrimmage and ended up needing surgery (lowlight, down to 3 returners, 2 of those played soccer), so before the season ever started we would be without our best 3-point shooter.

The young Cougars continued to improve, and with the addition of the soccer and volleyball athletes to the team, we had more depth to rely on. However, Tina Bechtel went down with another season-ending knee injury, six games into the season. Injuries plagued CCC all year, and at one point during the 2nd semester, there was only one player who didn't have some kind of nagging injury. But despite it all, the Cougars continued to improve and gain experience. The talent on this years' team was tremendous. Sophomore Katie Mullens was the 2nd ranked player in the region, and freshmen Richelle Bucklin was the 4th ranked player. Not to be outdone, and playing somewhat out of position all year, was freshmen Amanda Ison, voted to the 2nd Team All-Region.

The Cougars were the #3 seed in the region tournament, and got to play rival Southeastern University, one last time before SEU jumped up a division to NAIA/NCCAA DI. It was the most physical game in the Region tourney by far, and the Cougars started hot-jumping to a 13-0 lead on some great defense and good early shooting. However, the Fire roared back and led by one at the half 24-23. The Cougars regained control in the 2nd half, and won the hard-fought game, 47-44.

The Cougars played ACC for the region championship game, and once again led for most of the first half. ACC finished the first half on a 12-0 run, leading 33-24 at the half. The Cougars shooting turned cold and ACC went on to win 67-47 to win the South Region Championship.

The Cougars ended the season with a 10-13 record. The Cougars ended the season with 9 players: two juniors and both starters, captain Kelly Fitchner and Lauren Leabhart, 3 sophomores, Katie Mullens, Jessica Karrakar, and Sandy Holt, and playing their first year at CCC, 4 freshmen Alyssa Zallie, Jessica Karrakar, Tiffany Pack, Amanda Ison, and Richelle Bucklin. The 2009-10 team finished in the top 5 in the country in FG%(42), points per game (67.6).

Even though the 2009-2010 Cougars were a very skilled team, their testimonies shine brighter than their play. They all have good testimonies, attitudes, personalities, and are great ambassadors for CCC. Captain Kelly Fitchtner did a tremendous job of teaching the girls about college life and getting ready to play such a demanding schedule. Though hurt most of the year with a leg injury, Kelly gave all she had, and in the final 5 games of the season, finally was playing at her normal speed. In the 3rd game of a road-trip, Kelly's 15 points in Atlanta sparked us to victory over the #1 seed in the region and the 6th ranked team in the country. Kelly is looking to be healthy the whole season next year.

Lauren Leabhart is another junior who started the season after playing soccer. She averaged 10 points a game during the regular season and was dealing with injuries during the season, but overcame that and led us to a big regular-season victory over SEU at home with several big shots, as the Cougars scored 83 against one of the best defenses in the country.

Jessica Karrakar transferred from Texas and this was her first year playing college basketball. Jess is a shooter and made some big shots in a couple of games and gained some valuable skills this year and should be a factor on next years' team.

Sandy Holt transferred from Piedmont, but is in her first year of playing college basketball. She improved steadily throughout the year and became one of our most intense defenders. Combined with her great 3 point shot, Sandy should get more playing time next year.

Katie Mullens was a transfer from Piedmont as well, but in her second year at CCC. Katie quickly established herself as one of the best point guards to ever play at CCC. With great ball-handling skills and court awareness, Katie truly made everyone else better. She is unselfish and just loves to play the game. Katie was no stranger to the ER this year, as she ended up there numerous times because of a chronic illness; however, she never missed a game. Though not always 100%, she never asked to sit out-even for practices. When she has the ball, Katie has the skill to react instinctively to whatever is in front of her and turn it into a highlight reel moment. Katie will be the leading candidate to be player of the year in the South Region and the country.

Amanda Ison had a great year and, for a freshman, played like a Jr. or Sr. most of the year. Throughout the year, her stats rose steadily and she was one of our 'go to' people at tournament time. She was our best defender and our most rugged player, never having to miss any playing or practice time during the season, she played the entire game several times and played hard. She will probably be a first team all-region player her last 3 years.

Richelle Bucklin is another amazing freshman with a ton of athletic ability and a ton of will to go with it. At times this year, it seemed that if Katie wasn't making a jaw-dropping play on offense, Richelle was on defense. Richelle could do it from anywhere, but it usually involved coming out of nowhere to block a shot on a seemly wide open opponent. She will probably challenge Katie for player of the year honors next year. Richelle had a couple of games with 7 blocked shots!

Alyssa Zallie is another of the freshman gym rats that have invaded the CCC campus this year. "Z" started several games early in the year and was always productive. No one spends more time working on her game and shooting than Z does; in many other colleges in the country, Z would have been starting every game. While no one improved more than Alyssa did this year, she will be in the gym working on her game until next season: South Region beware.

Tiffany Pack is another great player that could be starting at many other colleges that don't have the likes of Katie, Amanda and Richelle in front of her. Tiffany made some big shots all over the court this year and was one of the first off the bench to relieve one of the starters.

Cougar Spotlight

Playing sports at CCC is a wonderful opportunity to not only represent the college, but also to play for God and His glory. Team devotions before practice gets the day started "on the right foot" so to speak. Our coach always challenges us to develop spiritually as well as physically. Being a Christian athlete carries a huge responsibility: being able to give your all not for yourself or for personal glory, but for the team and, more importantly, for God's glory.
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