BLOG 8: Early results are in for Ferris women

By Sandy Gholston

Ferris State's Kelsey DeNoyelles tries to shoot over teammate Andrea Clancy during a team scrimmage (Photo/Sandy Gholston)

BIG RAPIDS – It’s only two games in, but Ferris State University’s women’s basketball team has already shown its ability to play competitive-type basketball on the road against tough competition.

The Bulldogs (1-1) split a pair of contests to open their 2008-09 season in Owensboro, Ky. as part of the Kentucky Wesleyan Lady Panther Classic, an important opportunity to play against two regional opponents. Ferris began the event with an 83-77 win over the host Panthers before it fell short in a 68-62 decision to Indianapolis on Sunday afternoon prior to making the trip back to Michigan.

Ferris had to be more of a perimeter-oriented team this season with its experience and strength returning to the backcourt, led by senior shooting guard Teghan Thelen. Thelen had a monster weekend in Kentucky as she scored a career-high 36 points, against the Panthers, and then bounced back a 26-point effort the next day against the Greyhounds.

In addition to Thelen, the Bulldogs will be looking for more contributions from backcourt players like Becci Houdek, a returning starting point guard, and Stephanie DeNoyelles, a reserve guard. Additionally, the Bulldogs need continued help from newcomers like Chelsea Simonetti, a sophomore transfer guard with a lot of talent; and several talented freshman guards in Kelsey DeNoyelles, Tricia Principe and Lindsey Pettit.

Ferris’ guards would obviously love to shoot a high percentage. But, more importantly, the backcourt players need to control the tempo and be solid distributing the basketball to get the posts involved. Low-post scoring will have to be done mostly by committee for the Bulldogs, but they are capable of pooling their resources for solid production in the paint. That will be a task for the team throughout the season.

If you have any questions, ideas or comments feel free to contact Sandy Gholston at sgholston2@netzero.com