2002-2003 LOWELL Girls Basketball Preview

A USA-365.com Special Report By Mark Smith


Coach Patti McCormack -  9th year, Record: 140-63
Assistant coaches: Natalie Shadowen   -   Katie Porento
JV coach: Greg Holdeman   -  Assistant JV coach: Scott Coil
Freshman coach: Tammy Eaker  -  Assistant freshman coach: Shane Eaker

2002-2003 Schedule

Start times are varsity starting times

11-15-2002 (F)  at North Newton (7:30 p.m.)
11-16-2002 (S)   BISHOP NOLL   (7:30 p.m.)

11-22-2002 (F) at Andrean (7:30 p.m.) 
**could be postponed - semistate football
11-27-2002 (W) Hanover Central (7:30 p.m.)
11-30-2002 (S) at MUNSTER  (7:30 p.m.)
12-3-2002 (Tu) at Crown Point (7:30 p.m.)
12-6-2002 (F) HIGHLAND (7:30 p.m.)
12-14-2002 (S)  Lake Central (7:30 p.m.)
12-20-2002 (F)  WHITING  (7:30 p.m.)

Carroll Invitational  (Flora, Ind.)
12-21-2002 (S)  to be announced  -  11 a.m.
12-21-2002 (S) to be announced -  6 p.m.
12-28-2002 (S) at Merrillville  (7:30 p.m.)

1-4-2003 (S) Kankakee Valley (7:30 p.m.)
1-11-2003 (S) at HAMMOND (7:30 p.m.)
1-14-2003 (Tu)  GRIFFITH (7:30 p.m.)

1-17-2003 (F)   at GAVIT  (7:30 p.m.)
1-23-2003 (Th) ANDREAN (7:30 p.m.)
1-30-2003 (Th) Hobart (7:30 p.m.)

LAC Tournament
2-1-2003 (S)  1st round  (TBA)
2-4-2003 (Tu)  Quarterfinal  (TBA)
2-6-2003 (Th) Semifinal  (TBA)
2-7-2003 (F) LAC Championship  (TBA)

Gary West Side (4A) Sectional
2-11-2003 (Tu) Quarterfinals  (6 or 8 p.m.)
2-14-2003 (F) Semifinals  (6 of 8 p.m.)
2-15-2003 (S) Championship  (7:30 p.m.)


Lowell varsity coach Patti McCormack was asked to preview and profile of this years Lady Red Devils basketball team.  Here's what she had to say, courtesy of the Lake County Star newspaper.

Natalie Hanas -  5-3   Junior  -  guard

Natalie returns at the off-guard position and has improved in the off-season. She is an outside threat from 3-point land. Now in her second season as a varsity player, she has excellent vision of the floor and, so far, looks to become one of our assists leaders.

McKensey Wietbrock - 5-4  Junior -  guard

McKensey returns as a letter winner with a broken wrist (volleyball injury). She was in her first basketball practice today (Nov. 4).  McKensey is a fearless player. Her kind of intensity is contagious. She has spent the summer improving her shot and her drive to the basket.

Mary Erpelding  -  5-7  Junior - guard

Mary is one of the best shooters on our team. She is encouraged to take many more shots than she does. Mary has directed her summer work at defense to prepare her to play full time on the varsity level.

Kristin Kania  -  5-4  Senior - guard

Kristin is our only senior and returning varsity letter winner. She has shown an extra desire to lead this team by her work ethic and her court leadership. Kristin's mission this year will be to find the open post player before they know they're open. She too, has learned to look to score.

Wendy Broukal  -  5-8  -   Freshman - forward

Wendy is one of two freshmen on the varsity roster. She will divide her time between the JV and the varsity squads. Wendy possesses tremendous athletic ability. She will be an offensive threat that draws attention by the season's end.

Lisa Schulfer  -  5-11   -  Junior  -   forward

Shulfer is the team's leading rebounder and scorer from last year's squad. She has played varsity basketball since her freshman year. Lisa is one of the area's best athletes, and has really developed into a problem for many teams. Lisa will move from center to forward this year to enable her to use her athleticism more efficiently.

Brooke Bell -  5-7   Junior - guard/forward

Brooke also returns to the squad after significant varsity playing time. Brooke is perhaps the most versatile player we have on the floor. Her guard play allows her to bring the ball down the floor, shoot from any guard spot or post a player up on the blocks.  When Brooke realizes how good she is, she'll be very difficult to stop.

Mary Taylor  -  6-0   Junior -  center

Mary has been one of this year's most pleasant surprises so far. She has become stronger and more confident around the basket. She likewise has become more aggressive defensively. Mary has evolved from quiet and passive to a player that will challenge anyone. Mary is crucial to the team's success. If we don't board, we won't win.

Rachel Thiel  -  5-9  Freshman - center

Rachel is the other freshman on the varsity and she permits us to have great flexibility with our inside game. If Taylor and Thiel can handle our '5' position, it will allow us many more options both offensively and defensively. Rachel is very strong in the blocks and very 'un-freshman-like'. She is extremely level-headed and has a great work ethic.

Megan Bachinski  -   5-5   Junior - forward

Megan is the only other player (Mary Erpelding) who split time last year on the JV and the varsity in order to obtain valuable playing time. Megan has the heart of a lion. If she was 6-foot, she would probably be the state's leading rebounder, Her effort will develop her as a small forward or '3' player this year.

Christi Bult  -   5-6  Senior - forward

Christi is the only other senior on this year's squad. She was the floor leader for the JV squad last year and dressed for the sectional tournament with the varsity. She will be called upon this year to go in at both the '4' and the '5' positions. She worked on her aggressiveness this summer and it looks like she can get the job done.


For the Record:  2001-2002 (6-16)

11-10-2001:  39-49 at Bishop Noll  (10-11)
11-13-2001: 65-75 North Newton (18-7)
11-21-2001: 42-38 at Hanover Central (8-13)
11-24-2001: 27-45 MUNSTER (9-12)
11-27-2001: 29-55 Crown Point (16-6)
11-30-2001: 35-60 at HIGHLAND (21-6)
12-4-2001: 56-46 Lew Wallace (4-14)
12-8-2001: 35-62 at Lake Central (14-8)
12-14-2001: 24-37 at WHITING (10-11)

Carroll Invitational  (Flora, Ind.)
12-15-2001: 38-40 Rossville (6-15)
12-15-2001: 35-24 Carroll (0-21)
12-21-2001: 40-36 Merrillville (8-14)
1-5-2002: 35-24 HAMMOND (5-15)
1-8-2002: 27-49 ANDREAN (19-5)
1-11-2002: 35-44 GAVIT (16-8)

1-17-2002: 29-45 at Andrean (19-5)
1-19-2002: 25-31 at GRIFFITH (9-12)
1-24-2002: 32-51 at Hobart (12-9)

LAC Tournament
1-26-2002: 25-45 Griffith (9-12)
1-29-2002: 30-39 at Whiting (10-11)

Gary West Side (4A) Sectional
2-5-2002: 65-34 Lew Wallace (4-14)
2-8-2002: 31-50 Gary West Side (21-6)

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Revised: July 10, 2004 .