2011-12 Women's Basketball Preview

The 2011-12 edition of the Trinity Tigers will have a mix of veterans and newcomers as they take the floor Nov. 18-19 at the Redlands Tip-Off Classic at Redlands, Calif. 

Ten players return from last year’s 14-13 season, including four starters. Seven first-year players will don the maroon jerseys as they begin their Trinity careers. As a result of experience and new talent, seventh-year head coach Amie Bradley will be able to call on a variety of players in the lineup.

“We will have a very fast-paced team,” said coach Bradley. “We are going to create a lot of offense off our defense. We are going to mix it up, because we have a very deep bench. There will be opportunities for everyone to be successful in their roles. Our incoming class is going to make a big impact on the team.”

The fired-up group of Tigers will make their home debut Thanksgiving Weekend, hosting Richard Stockton Nov. 26, and St. Thomas (Minn.) on Nov. 27 in Sams Gym.

Last season, the Tigers completed their Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference campaign with a 9-7 record.  Trinity defeated Rhodes College 85-51 in the quarterfinals of the SCAC Tournament at Jackson, Miss., and fell 73-53 to DePauw in the semifinals.

Four seniors graduated, including guard Danielle Hubenak, Trinity’s all-time career assists leader.  The leading scorer last year, Abby Dietert, will graduate in December and will not play this season.

A strong returnee is sophomore guard Nicolette Halbleib (5-10; Aurora, Colo./Grandview), who started 20 of 27 games. Halbleib averaged 7.7 points and 2.4 rebounds per game. She also chalked up 45 steals and 37 assists, while shooting .359 from the field.

Junior guard Anne Waidelich (5-9; Floyd, Texas/Bland) averaged 6.3 points and 4.3 rebounds per contest. Waidelich was an effective shooter, hitting .420 from the field, .and 421 in 3-point range. She also stole the ball 23 times.

Jana Tucker (5-10; Katy, Texas/Seven Lakes), a junior post, is the returning leading rebounder who pulled in 5.9 rebounds per game last season. Tucker averaged 5.4 points, blocked 13 shots, made 33 steals, and dished out 32 assists.

In addition to Halbleib, six other sophomore players return to ratchet up the Tigers game. Coach Bradley calls the sophomores the “foundation of the team,” as Trinity cranks up for another season.

Forward Libby Kruse (5-7; Minnetrista, Minn./Orono), contributed an average of 3.8 points and 4.7 rebounds, while picking up 41 steals. Guard Murphy Burns (5-8; Oklahoma City; Heritage Hall) scored 6.8 points per game, and 2.3 rebounds.

Also back on the court are forward Taylor Rubottom (6-0; Austin, Texas/Waldorf), and guard Victoria Perko (5-10; Albuquerque, N.M./St. Pius X), who recorded 28 steals. Perko, also a member of the Trinity’s track and field team, was referred to by coach Bradley as a “defensive stopper.”

Returning sophomores, who also played on Trinity’s SCAC finalist volleyball team are guard Maryn Swierc (5-6; Bulverde, Texas) and forward Kelsey Daniel (6-0; Spring Branch, Texas). Both are products of Bracken Christian School, located in the San Antonio area.

Junior guard Kemble Maddox (5-7; Fort Worth, Texas/All Saints Episcopal) did not see any action last season because of an injury, but worked hard in the preseason and is expected to make a comeback.

The Tigers scored 68.1 points per game, and opponents had 66.4. Trinity held a 40.6 to 39.7 edge in rebounding, and forced 22.9 turnovers per game. The opposition shot .409, and the Tigers hit .382 from the field.

Coach Bradley described the seven newcomers as players who “work hard, are good shooters, and bring a lot to the table.”

Guard Hannah Coley (5-7; Austin, Texas/Westlake) was a starter for three years, and team captain her senior season. Coley was selected for the District 27-4A First Team, and the Class 4A All-Region Team, as well as earning a slot on the Academic All-State Team.

San Antonio point guard Alison Salmon (5-3; Smithson Valley) was a District 27-4A First Team honoree. Considered to be a superb ball handler and shooter, Salmon is also a graduate of the developmental “Point Guard College” program. Salmon also recorded a 4.0 grade point average at Smithson Valley.

Guard Hannah Gulley (6-0; San Antonio/Clark) was team captain her senior year, and made the all-district team. Lauren Splawn (5-6; El Paso, Texas/Canutillo), also a guard, was team captain for two years, and was first team all-district.

Three post players will greatly add to the Tigers depth in the middle.  Taylor Hollins (5-10; Houston/Langham Creek), was a two-time all-district recipient, and will be in the thick of the rebounding battle. Lucy Stockdale (5-10; Denver/Kent Denver) and Jacqueline Sime (5-8; Pointe-a-Pitre, Guadeloupe/The Pendleton School, Bradenton, Fla.) are ready to step into the “pivot position.”

“The fans will see a really hard-working group of young women that are good chemistry-wise, and have a lot of talents,” coach Bradley concluded. “They are a fun group to coach, and they enjoy being around each other.”

Returning for a second season as assistant coach is Marvin Walker, who is now a full-time member of the staff.  Coach Walker was the head coach at San Antonio’s St. Mary’s Hall for five years before coming on board at Trinity. Lisa Smith and Jason Kaiser have signed on as part-time assistant coaches.

Following the two Thanksgiving Weekend games, the Tigers will host 11 more contests. Trinity opens its home SCAC schedule Dec. 16, with new conference member the University of Dallas.

The SCAC Tournament is slated for Feb. 24-26 at Birmingham, Ala., at Birmingham-Southern College. At stake is an automatic berth in the NCAA Division III playoffs.