The Wheaton Thunder women's basketball team will have a new look in 2017-18, but the plans for the upcoming season do not change. "Our goals don't change," notes head coach Kent Madsen. "We are always trying to compete at a level where we can make the conference tournament, and also give ourselves the opportunity to compete for a conference title. I don' think that changes from year to year, it might just look different in how we get that done."
Following the 2016-17 season, Wheaton graduated seniors Katie McDaniels, Ellie Zeller, Chantal Meacham and Abby Dorman. Zeller and McDaniels each earned All-Region honors in their respective careers and Meacham left the program as its all-time three-point leader. McDaniels was a two-time CCIW "Most Outstanding Player" and three-time All-American.
Madsen says of the changes for the upcoming season, "The beauty of college athletics is that to some degree you know that your team will have a different look every year. When you lose players that had significant roles for the past four years it definitely adds a new dimension to what your team may look like moving forward. That is one of the great challenges of coaching, seeing how all of the pieces fit together." He continues, "One of the biggest changes is the size that we can put on the court. Between our post players and our guards we have size that will create some different looks than we have had in the past."
"We should have some really good balance this year. We have quite a few players that are obviously capable of scoring." Madsen states, "I really believe that this team will not look the same at the beginning of the year as it does at the end of the season. At the beginning of the year we are going to be figuring out some of the pieces and combinations that we need to put out there to be successful. I really feel our post players will grow throughout the season. Our guards who are enhancing their roles will continue to grow. As that happens I am excited to see what this team can become because I believe we have a lot of talent on this team."
The Thunder head coach notes, "We need to have a balance between points in the paint and scoring from outside. As a coaching staff we need to create opportunities for that balance and the players just need to continue to develop in their skill. The post players need to continue to work on attacking the rim and the guards need to maintain consistency in their play – particularly in taking care of the ball." He concludes, "I think we have many players that are continuing to develop a lot. The vast majority of our team is still underclassmen, so there is a lot of development that can take place and help propel us forward as we move along in the season."
Senior guard Kelly Lawson (PICTURED LEFT)Â is a two-time All-CCIW selection, earning unanimous First Team recognition last year. In 2016-17 the 5' 10" Lawson averaged 12.0 points and 4.1 rebounds per game. Madsen mentions, "It is always nice when you have a player of Kelly's caliber return. She was First Team All-CCIW last year, and has been one of our most versatile players. She has played everywhere from the four to point guard. Her role has basically changed every year and she has adjusted to it as well as any player possibly can." She will play more at point guard and the other guard spots this year. She will not have to play nearly as much in the post as in the past since we have more depth in that area this year."
Senior guard Maggie Dansdill (PICTURED RIGHT) started every game for the Thunder last year, averaging 7.4 points per game. A two-time track All-American, she averaged 4.2 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game as a junior. "Maggie continues to improve as a player. She is so athletic and can do a lot of different things on the court. Her athleticism allows her to create havoc defensively," says Madsen.
Madsen comments of one senior, "we've lost Mel Bremhorst because of a knee injury. It always hard to see that for a senior captain. However, she is still a really important part of this team and will be a very strong leader for us – even as her role changes."
Junior Devin Kyler (PICTURED LEFT) earned third team All-CCIW honors in 2016-17. She averaged 7.6 points and 8.1 rebounds per game, shooting 48.2% (96-of-199) from the field. She distributed 2.6 assists per game, with 2.2 steals and 1.5 blocked shots per game. In conference play last year, Kyler ranked third in the CCIW in rebounding with an average of 9.1 rebounds per game. "Devin's strength is that she is multi-dimensional with all the different positions she can play. She will play at guard, forward and can defend anybody on the court," mentions Madsen. She continues to improve in her post abilities and is blessed with a lot of abilities on the basketball court."
Jennifer Berg (PICTURED RIGHT), a 5' 10" forward, missed the 2016-17 season due to injury. In 2015-16 she played in all 28 games, averaging 4.7 points and 4.0 rebounds per game. Madsen notes, "It will be nice to have Jenn back on the court. She has always helped our program. She is outstanding rebounder and finds ways to score both inside and outside."
"Our sophomore group is a key group, because there are so many sophomores in our program. As they continue to progress that will be important. I have definitely seen a jump from their freshman year to their sophomore year. As they continue to progress this year, I think that adds to how strong we can become."
Sophomore Jordan Myroth (PICTURED LEFT) played in every game last year, averaging 17.9 minutes per game. Myroth, a 5' 11" guard, contributed 3.8 points and 3.4 rebounds per game. She shot 51.5% (50-of-97) from the field in her debut. "I appreciate the flexibility of Jordan's abilities. She was a point guard for her entire high school career and when she arrived here she deferred to Katie [McDaniels] and Chantal [Meacham] in playing off-guard. She always took on playing defense on some of the opponent's better players, particularly because of some of the problems she creates defensively as a 5' 11" guard. She will still run some wing, but will be at the point a lot more this year. I know she is excited for that opportunity. I think she can really do some good things because she has an attacking mindset," comments Madsen.
Sophomore center Jill Berg (PICTURED RIGHT) averaged 4.8 points and 3.8 rebounds per game in her debut season. She averaged 1.7 blocked shots per game, including eight blocks against Illinois Wesleyan in the CCIW Tournament Championship. Berg had strong performances at the conclusion of the season, including in Wheaton's postseason games. "Jill came on strong at the end of last year," comments Madsen. "I think she will continue to grow as a post player. Her ability to block shots is outstanding. Probably next to Jill Trenz, she is the second-best shot blocker in my time here at Wheaton. It always nice to have someone of that caliber covering everybody on the back end of your defense."
Sophomore Hannah Frazier, is in her first season at Wheaton after transferring from St. Louis University. Frazier, a 6' 2" forward, played in 11 games for the Billikens last season. She scored a season-high five points against Eastern Kentucky. "It is always exciting when you get a transfer of Hannah's caliber. She adds a nice physical presence inside that we may not have had recently. She can also step out and hit shots from the outside," comments Madsen.
Jacqueline San Jule (PICTURED LEFT) played in 11 games last season as a freshman. "Jacqueline can help us at guard. She can handle the ball really well. She does a nice job against presses," states Madsen.
Erica Van Dusen (PICTURED RIGHT) participated in 11 games as a freshman in 2016-17. She contributed 2.3 points per game on the year, shooting 56.3% (9-of-16) from the field. "Erica is a player who can play both inside and outside. She brings some wonderful size to the program," comments Madsen.
Guard Kirsten Madsen sat out her debut season in 2016-17 due to an injury "Kirsten had to sit out last year, but she has a better understanding of what is going on because she watched us all last year as she worked to return from her injury. She is an additional guard in the mix that can add outside shooting," notes the Thunder head coach.
Jane Ortlip (PICTURED LEFT) played in 10 games last year for the Thunder as a freshman. She averaged 2.5 points per game on the year. Madsen notes, "Jane is scorer and a very good three-point threat."
Kristi Demski (PICTURED RIGHT), a 5' 9' guard, competed in 10 games last year as a freshman. Madsen comments, "Kristi has a wonderful ability to shoot from the outside and gives us some perimeter shooting that we need. She can handle the ball well."Coach Madsen says of Wheaton's freshmen, "Our freshman will have the challenge of adjusting to a good program with talented players already in it. However, they are all players that want to develop and help the program."
Hannah Williams, a 5' 10" guard, helped lead Heritage Christian High School to three Indiana State Championships and four City Championships. Madsen mentions, "Hannah Williams is really good at attacking the rim."
Heidi Considine, a 5' 10" forward, was a three-sport athlete at Wisconsin's Portage High School. Madsen notes of Considine, "Heidi has some good athleticism and she can do some things both inside and outside."
Bonnie Zeller is a 5' 9" guard that earned All-Conference recognition in her prep career. "Bonnie has a really nice outside shot and is a skilled player," states Madsen.
Sophia Steward, a 6' 0" forward, helped lead Regents School of Austin to a District Championship and a state Final Four appearance. "Sophia adds another post player in the mix," notes Madsen.
Wheaton opens the season at home Friday, November 17 against Lake Forest College in the opening day of action at the 2017 Beth Baker Classic.
