PRIDE HOST MT. IDA MUSTANGS IN SEASON OPENER

Weston, Mass.-Sports fans the winter season is officially upon us. Women's basketball kicks off its season against nearby Mt. Ida College Sunday at 2:00 p.m. in a non-The Commonwealth Coast Conference contest.

The Pride concluded its 2008-09 with an 17-9, 7-6 TCCC record that made Regis eligible for the TCCC playoffs. Regis returns eight players from its quarterfinals playoff team, including All-TCCC Second Team member Jessica Page.

Page led Regis with 14.2 points per game, finished second in three point percentage (.324), and joined the ranks of the 1,000-point club as a junior.

SHOOTERS PARADISE

Regis returns a solid core of athletes that earned valuable playing time last season. Page takes the court with four sound starters, the most influential being Stephanie Crawford (Rockland, Mass.).

Crawford is a point guard capable of scoring in the paint, or dishing on the drive. Defenses will have a tough time stopping both of her attacks. Page is without question three-point shooter, and does not hesitate if she has an open shot. The beauty of having shooters is that it opens the lane for players that can drive.

Page will likely be on the floor with Stefanie Wozmak (Auburn, N.H.) and Caitlin Luquet (Walnut Creek, Calif.) who are two shooters that force defenders to contest every shot, and every shot fake.

Brittany White (Dorchester, Mass.) is a name that will appear throughout stat sheets this year. The junior guard and forward is quick, physical, and will add match-up problems for smaller guards, and slower post players.

UNDERSIZED FRONT COURT

Without question Sarah McNult (Hampstead, N.H.) is one of the toughest post players in TCCC play. The problem for Regis is it lacks depth at the post position. If McNult finds herself in foul trouble her likely replacement will be Cassie Americain who is a young, feisty, and developing player.

Its other options are freshmen Alex Chace and Nyiesha Corbett. Both have upside, but getting into a system that will benefit Regis may not develop until a few games into the season.

Corbett is the tallest player on the Pride roster, but her game must be fine tuned to be an immediate impact. Chace has the ability to shoot from just inside the arc, and the occasional three-pointer, but she'll be needed more near the basket.

YOUTHFUL AMBITIONS

Regis has one of the most talented coaching staffs in the CCC, led by 2007 Coach of the Year Julie Plant. The Pride lack a great deal of size in the frontcourt, but compensates that with speed.

Page will lead a young group of athletes this season. It is still too early to say whether that means they will make the playoffs, but it is too early for any team to punch that ticket just yet.

Teams know about Regis and to not overlook them, which will make it more difficult for the Pride to use old tricks against equally athletic programs.

If Regis maintains possession of the boards it should hold teams to its playing style. Communication is a major part of any team sport, and the sooner Regis gets and stays on the same page it will be more able to make changes that teams cannot stop.

The potential is there for a playoff return, but let us get past the first game before we start that conversation.