BETHANY, Okla. — It's not often that a coach in any sport will return a very strong class, but when it happens it's hard to stop the mind and hype of what that class can achieve. Try returning a whole team that includes an NAIA All-American first team selection who was also the Sooner Athletic Conference Player of the year. Add in the SAC Co-Defensive Player of the Year who was an All-American honorable mention, the SAC Tournament MVP and an All-SAC third team selection.
That doesn't even count the three newcomers who will all contribute and a junior who started the first two games before going down with a season-ending injury.
Cue up the music, Southern Nazarene is here to play basketball again.
The Crimson Storm are coming off a 2010-11 season in which they finished second in the SAC and gave Oklahoma City a run for the title and then won the SAC Tournament before heading out to the NAIA National Tournament. Now in its final year of the NAIA, Southern Nazarene has high hopes of ending the year with how this program was once feared.
“We gained a lot of experience last year,” said SNU Head Coach Lori Carter. “We won a lot of games that could have gone either way. There's not going to be an easy game this year, but the core of this team knows what it takes. Hopefully this depth will keep us fresh and that we won't be as tired at the end of the season. I think that might have caught up with us at end of the season last year. Having this much depth also elevates the level of practice.”
SNU returns everyone from last year's team, including Logan Martin who lit up the nets last year on her way to being named NAIA All-American first team and the Sooner Athletic Conference Player of the Year. The senior averaged 14.8 points, 5.0 assists and 4.6 rebounds per game last year. She was second in the NAIA, and led for most of the year, in 3-point shooting percentage.
“Logan does so many things for us, but what she does that doesn't show up in stats is that she brings that intensity every day,” said Carter. “There's not one practice or game that she takes off. That's what I respect the most of her. Logan puts a lot of pressure on herself, but if she can begin to take that pressure away, she could have an outstanding senior season.”
While Martin may be the focus at times, by no means was she the only threat.
Abbey Marra and Sharmeda Johnson were just as devastating on opposing defenses. Marra averaged a double-double at 11.3 points and 10.8 rebounds per game on her way to being named the SAC Co-Defensive Player of the Year. She also led the SAC and was sixth in the NAIA in blocks per game at 2.3. Johnson was an All-SAC honorable mention after averaging 9.9 points and 6.9 boards per game and was named the SAC Tournament MVP. The 6-0 forward took over some games late in the season.
“Abbey is coming off a great year,” said Carter. “She has just continued to get better and came into this year in the best shape of her life. I feel like her confidence is high right now in having a great season as a senior. Sharmeda ended last year playing her best basketball. We need that from her, and for her to be consistent. She can take over a game if she wants to. We need her lead like we know she can.”
One of the most athletic players on the team, Oumoul Thiam returns for her junior season after she was named All-SAC third team. She averaged 10.5 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game last season. For a long stretch of the season, Thiam was ranked right behind Martin in 3-point percentage and finished the season hitting 38.7 percent from downtown.
“Oumoul has improved every year,” said Carter. “I don't think that this year is any different. She's in great condition and has worked on that all summer. She's a good outside shooter, but we are looking for her to play more than one position with her athletic ability.”
Another solid junior who started nearly every game she played is Jamie Bottger. She averaged 7.1 point, 3.0 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game. She was also an 80-percent shooter from the free-throw line last year.
“Jamie is a solid player who always gives really good effort,” said Carter. “I know she had some knee issues at times last year, but I'm looking for her to have another solid year. She's a great player with a great attitude.”
After starting quite a few games as a freshman, Ashley Mantooth looks fight for a starting spot if not a ton of playing time in the post. She averaged 3.9 points and 3.4 boards per game last year as a junior. She hit 52.6 percent from the field and 70.3 percent from the charity stripe.
“Ashley has been playing great in the preseason,” said Carter. “She is approaching her senior year with an all-out mindset. If Ashley plays games this year like she has been practicing, she will be a major spark for us.”
One of the five seniors, Audra Skimbo, will help out in and around the post as well for SNU. She notched 5.0 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game.
“Audra is one of our strongest players,” said Carter. “I'd like to see her continue to be more physical because she can be, and we really need that from her. She's a smart player with a great 10-15 foot shot.”
Kristin Milster and Marsha Durr are two guards that will play key roles for the Storm as well. Milster showed that she has the potential to be that go-to shooter at times as she was a 42.3 percent shooter from the field and hit 36.7 percent from 3-point range. Durr is a quick point guard who was put herself into a position to contribute on a nightly basis. Durr started six games last year and averaged 2.6 points and 1.6 assists per game.
“Kristin has continued to get better,” said Carter. “She is a solid shooter who went through a good learning experience as a freshman. We expect her to really step up and have a great year this year. Marsha worked really hard this summer and got herself into really good condition. We need her to continue to push the ball up the floor. We don't necessarily need her to score, but we need her to lead the offense.”
Samantha O'Shields started the first two games of the year for Southern Nazarene before going down with a season-ending knee injury. The junior was able to pick up a medical red shirt and looks to prove why she was an early-season starter last season.
“Samantha has worked hard coming off the injury,” said Carter. “We missed her defense last year. She is so solid on that end of the floor. She does the little things right and that's what we need. Sam learned a lot last year. She needs to be that solid player who can help us in many aspects.”
The incoming class couldn't be much stronger for the Crimson Storm. SNU brings in two talented junior college transfers and a freshman that was a sharp shooter for Bethany High School.
Annie Kossongo was on campus last year and looks to showcase her talents after she was an All-Jayhawk Conference selection at Barton CC (Kan.). She set the school record for blocks and led BCC to the conference title as a freshman and a runner-up finish as a sophomore.
“Annie is continuing to get better and learning to adjust to playing in our system,” said Carter. “She could be a great addition to us. Annie is a great athlete and is long. She can block shots and rebounds and that's what she needs to do for us. We know she can put points on the board as well.”
Katie Beebe comes to SNU after she was an All-American and all-conference selection for Northern Oklahoma-Enid. She helped the Jets reach the national tournament as a freshman and sophomore. She was also selected to The Oklahoman's Super 5 Team at Okarche (Okla.) High School.
“Katie is a good shooter and an all-around fundamental player,” said Carter. “She is a solid player which fits exactly what we need. Katie has a high basketball IQ which we think will have an immediate impact on our team.”
Callie Cox stays within the city limits after she was an all-state selection at Bethany (Okla.) High School. She was a three-time All-Canadian Valley Conference selection and averaged 18.4 points per game as a senior for the Bronchos.
“Callie is our only freshman, but can shoot the ball,” said Carter. “She definitely has a shooter's mentality. If she misses a shot, it doesn't seem to affect her on the next one. We are hoping that we can get good minutes out of her as she builds toward the future.”
The Crimson Storm have all the pieces for an extended postseason run, but as those who have been around championship teams know it takes so much more than talent. The expectations will be high for SNU, but how the season goes will be determined by the attitude on the court and in the locker room Carter said.
“It's going to take a mindset of pushing through adversity and getting over hurdles if this team is going to make the extended run that they think they should make,” said Carter. “We have struggled with that the past few years. I think they are learning what it takes to make a run late in the season. It's become apparent to the seniors that this is their last chance. I'm hoping this class can lay that foundation for the future classes.”
The season tips off Saturday in Springfield, Mo., when SNU travels to No. 22 Evangel for a 6 p.m. game.
