All-PAC forwards Elisha Jones (left) and Callie White (right) are back to lead a young, but talented Waynesburg squad in 2009-10.
Waynesburg University women's basketball coach Sam Jones did a tremendous job in his first year with the Yellow Jackets during the 2008-09 season and he'll be looking to continue the improvement in his second year with the program.
Jones inherited a one-win team and guided them to an 8-18 mark in his first season with the Yellow Jackets. The seven-win improvement tied for the 12th-best such increase in all of Division III, but as far as Jones and his assistant coach Rachel Dillon are concerned, it was merely the first step towards loftier goals for his team.
“The PAC is an outstanding conference, but if we do not make an upward move, I will be disappointed,” Jones said. “We're going to be much deeper, which will make us more competitive than we were last year.”
The main source of that added depth is the combination of graduating just two seniors and bringing 12 new players into the Waynesburg fold. The Yellow Jackets also return four starters from last year's team, including All-Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) honorees Elisha Jones and Callie White.
Jones, a junior forward, led the team in scoring last year and finished the regular season ranked fifth in the PAC in scoring (14.6 points per game). She also ranked 10th in the conference in shooting percentage, was second in blocks per game (1.88) and played the fifth most minutes per game in the conference (33.77).
White, a sophomore forward, burst onto the scene for the Jackets and made an immediate impact, especially on the offensive side of the ball. As a freshman, the Pittsburgh native averaged 12.8 points per game, which was good for 10th in the PAC.
White also proved effective at the free throw line, converting just over 79 percent of her shots, which was good for tops on the team and fourth in the conference. She also led the Jackets in three-pointers attempted and three-pointers made.
Along with their two star forwards, Waynesburg also returns sophomore point guard Hannah Hunter, along with senior Johnna Deco. Hunter ranked seventh in the PAC in assists per game (3.23) and fifth in steals per game (2.23). Deco led the team in rebounds and finished the season ninth in the conference (6.9).
“Senior Jonna Decco will most likely move back to guard, but with her versatility, she will be looked upon to be a major contributor in many areas, including rebounding, where she led the team,” Jones said.
Waynesburg also returns a key, experienced reserve in Morgan Hoone, who showed the ability to play multiple positions throughout the season. Senior Kristen Lucci also returns to the team after missing all of last year due to injury.
Along with plenty of new faces on the roster, Jones and the Waynesburg athletic department have worked together to bring some new things for fans of the program. The biggest change appears on the schedule, as Waynesburg will host a two-day Christmas event.
The Yellow Jackets will play host to Nazareth (N.Y.), Alfred (N.Y.) and Mount Union over Dec. 29 and 30. Jones is also bringing back a Midnight Madness celebration to mark the official beginning of the season on Oct. 15. The night will include games, an introduction of all three Waynesburg winter teams and, at Midnight, the Jacket women will hit the floor for an intra-squad scrimmage.
While expectations are high for this year's Jackets, Jones is keeping his goals simple.
“We want to play better at home and close out games, which our depth will help us with,” Jones said. We're just working towards getting better and we don't want to be satisfied with the great improvements we have made. We know we can still be better.”
Waynesburg will be heading a long way to tip the 2009-10 season off on Nov. 20 when they take part in the two-day Adrian (Mich.) Tip-off Tournament.
