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“The non-conference games are pretty important in terms of trying to win as many as we can to help get your season off to the right start,” head coach Claudette Charney said.
The Chargers defeated Illinois Springfield last season, but will face the Prairie Star’s new roster that includes ten transfers.
However, the Chargers have grown their roster from 15 players to 18. The team is sporting seven new players: a freshman class of six plus sophomore transfer Morgan Blair. A senior class of four will lead the team this year, headlined by Megan Fogt who was named First Team All-American and GLIAC Player of the Year last season.
After combining the seven fresh players with the eleven seasoned returners, Charney said the season looks “promising.”
Fogt agreed, identifying depth and versatility as her team’s biggest strengths.
“We have so many girls who can do different things so it’s going to be hard to scout all the options that we have,” Fogt said.
The large freshman class will play a part in these options. Charney said they have been adjusting well to the speed and strength of college basketball.
Freshman Michele Boykin anticipates the new players to make an impact on the program.
“We have Allie Dittmer, who is a big post underneath. Then we have other guards like Maddy Reed and Morgan Blair who are very strong,” Boykin said. “We all run really well and have good quick transitions.”
In their 2013-14 season, the Chargers were hit hard by the injury bug around late February and finished with a 12-15 record. The plague of injuries allowed many players to see additional court time that has helped them tremendously this year, Charney said.
The Chargers started practice on Oct. 15 and have been working hard to prepare for tomorrow’s opener.
“With strength and conditioning we’re definitely in shape, ready to go from a physical standpoint,” Fogt said.
Charney said the team has had great fall practices and has made the weight room a priority in hopes of staying healthy during the rigorous season.
“Our 22 game league schedule is definitely a grind,” Charney said. “Every time you step on the court you’re going to play somebody that’s good, there’s no question.”
This statement will ring true this season as the chargers compete in the GLIAC North Division for the first time. Charney said the North division is bigger and tougher than the South Division.
At its home games, the team will enjoy drawing a crowd in recently finished Dawn Tibbetts Potter Arena, which also includes a new locker room.
