Women's Basketball

The York College women’s basketball team enters 2009-10 in a manner different than any other season in the history of the program. The Spartans are coming off a year which saw them go 27-3 with a regular season Capital Athletic Conference championship, an NCAA Tournament appearance, a berth in the Sweet 16 and a school-record 25 game win streak.

While the Spartans had the greatest season in program history, they graduated a six player senior class that ranks as the most successful four-year class ever. This year’s edition of the Spartans features two returning starters, a core of seven returning players and seven newcomers that will be expected to make an impact on the Spartan fortunes in 2009-10.

Spartan head coach Betsy Witman is very aware of the accomplishments of last year’s team, however, the Spartan mentor is ready to move on.

 “Last year was incredible,” says Witman. “There is no doubt it will go down as one of the most enjoyable years I have ever had in coaching. But, last year is over and we are very excited about this year’s team. We know that we will have some different challenges as we will be very young but I am ready to see what this team can accomplish.”

Witman will build her squad around a solid group of returners including All-Capital Athletic Conference guard April Sparkman and starting center Jaimie Sapp. Also returning for the Spartans are senior guard Jamie Polan, and juniors Gayle Exley, Caitlin Byrne, and Val Hudson in addition to sophomore Mandy Parshall.

 “I feel good about the returners that we have,” states Witman. “They have the experience of a highly successful season and they also bring strong leadership to a very young team.”

Sparkman had a tremendous sophomore campaign as the guard averaged 15.8 points per game, which ranked her second in the CAC. Sparkman, who was a first-team conference pick and an all-regional selection, shot 51.6% from the floor, 42.2% from three, in addition to grabbing 5.9 rebounds and handing out 2.2 assists per game. Sparkman hit two huge game-winning shots last year and brings the ability to shoot the ball consistently from a deep three to a short jumper.

 “April really blossomed into a great offensive player last year,” states Witman. “Her ability to get herself a quality shot is a strength while she shoots the ball at a high percentage. The thing about April is that she is also an outstanding defensive player. She was a great shutdown defender last year and we expect those same things this year. April is also a year more experienced and I believe she will be a better on-the-floor leader for us this year.”

Sapp came on strong as the season progressed and she is poised to become an all-conference caliber center for the Spartans. Sapp averaged 7.3 points and 4.1 rebounds per game last year. However, Sapp’s last seven games of the year she averaged 12.1 points and 6.0 rebounds per game. She shot 55.7% from the floor while also blocking 30 shots for the year.

 “I am really anxious to see how much better Jaimie can be this year,” says Witman. “She was such a huge force at the end of last year and was really playing as well as anyone on the roster the last third of the season. Jaimie understands that she can be a dominate player in our conference and I look forward to watching her continual growth as a player.”

Witman will turn to Polan, Exley and Byrne to get more experience on the floor. Polan will see most of her time as the two-guard with the ability to move over and play some point guard if needed. She finished last year averaging 1.8 points and 1.3 rebounds per game. Those numbers don’t truly reflect her ability as she played behind All-American Keli Ward and third-leading scorer Amanda Andrews.

 “Jamie has the ability to be a key contributor this year,” says Witman. “She has become a confident player that has the ability to shoot the ball from the perimeter while she can also get to the hoop. I also think Jamie brings a great attitude to a young team. She will be an outstanding captain for us.”

Exley is a player that will get the opportunity to crack the rotation for the first time in her career. She is a talented player that will see time at both the three and four spots. Exley is a talented passer and a solid shooter from the perimeter. She is strong and should put up solid numbers with extended playing time. Exley is also one of the smartest players on the team and brings a great understanding of the game to the floor.

 “Gayle is someone who I expect to take advantage of the chances she will get this year,” says Witman. “She has a great ability to pass the ball and has outstanding court vision. It’s not often that you have a small forward that can pass like Gayle can. I am excited to see what she can do this year.”

Byrne brings a presence to the post for the Spartans. She has the ability to play the power forward and center positions for the Green and White. Byrne, who averaged 2.3 points in limited time last year, has a soft touch around the basket and the ability to finish in the paint. She is a physical player that gives York a player that will be aggressive in the paint.

 “Caitlin has a load of potential,” says Witman. “Much like many of our returners, I will be interested to see how she performs with extended playing time. I think that Caitlin can make a positive impact on our rotation this year.”

Hudson is another player looking to earn a way into the frontcourt rotation. She has battled injuries over her two years in the Green and White but Hudson is healthy coming into the year as she hopes to take advantage of her opportunities and earn a spot in the rotation.

 “Val is a hard worker but she has had some bad luck with injuries during her career,” states the Spartan mentor. “She is someone who could really come on and provide us with another frontcourt option. Val has a nice touch from 15-feet and in while she continues to become a better defensive player.”

Parshall returns for her second year in the Green and White as one of the most talented athletes on the squad. She saw time in 18 games last year and brings an amazing work ethic to the Spartan program. Parshall will work to earn minutes at the shooting guard and small forward positions for York.

 “Mandy is a player that has come a long way in a year,” says Witman. “She works extremely hard and her incredible attitude is such an asset to our program. Mandy continues to improve on the floor and she will battle to earn a spot in the backcourt rotation.”

While Witman has a number of quality returners, she will also need a six-member freshman class and a sophomore transfer to contribute to the team in 2009-10. The class features guard Cinthia Ruiz, guard Loreta Tonuzi, forward Jenny Kaufman, forward Jess Kramer, guard Megan Lanigan, and guard Kara Snyder. Sophomore guard Khadija Mitchell joins the Spartan program after transferring from Notre Dame (Md.).

Ruiz is an athletic guard that will likely be in contention to start at the point for York. She is a quick player that feels as comfortable playing up tempo or running sets for Witman. Ruiz is a hard-nosed player that brings a toughness to the Spartan lineup. She has the ability to be a consistent three-point shooter while she can also penetrate the lane and create havoc for opponents.

Mitchell will also work for time at the point guard position as she brings a year of collegiate experience to the Spartans. Mitchell has been impressive in early practice sessions and should give Witman quality options at the one. Mitchell can shoot the ball from deep while she also does a good job of putting her teammates in positions to be successful.

Kramer is a left-handed post player that will have a chance to earn significant playing time in the frontcourt for Witman. Kramer is an outstanding athlete who can run the floor and play an up tempo style. She is a great rebounder and post defender while she also shoots it well from 15 to 20 feet on the perimeter.

Tonuzi is another hard-nosed player for the Spartans. She is a left-handed guard that owns the ability to shoot the ball from the perimeter while she isn’t afraid to mix it up in the paint. Tonuzi is a hard worker that should have the opportunity to make an impact on the Spartan lineup as a freshman.

Kaufman is an athletic small forward who is an aggressive, physical player that will have the chance to earn some time in the Spartan rotation. She is an above average defender that is a great rebounder and finisher around the basket.

Lanigan comes to the Spartan program as a player with a good work ethic and the ability to do a number of things well. She is a good three-point shooter that is also a solid defender. Lanigan is a very unselfish teammate that also has great court vision. She will have the opportunity to compete for a spot in the Spartan rotation.

Snyder is a freshman walk-on that impressed the coaching staff with her play early on in practice. She is left-handed point guard that is a very aggressive defender that provides York with quality depth at point. Snyder can shoot the ball from distance while she also can distribute to open teammates.

Witman likes the talent distributed among the seven newcomers.

 “This is a strong recruiting class,” says Witman. “We will need a few of these players to step up and be important parts of the rotation. They all bring a high level of skill and they all have unique talents that should fit in well with what we do as a team. I am excited to get to work with these players. Not only are they very good players but I think they are also great kids.”

Witman is happy to have started practice and begin preparing her team for the upcoming season.

 “We have a very hungry team,” says Witman. “Our returners have had a taste and want more while the newcomers have heard all about how much fun it was from our returners. I am counting on the upperclassmen to lead as they have been led in the past.”

2009-10 York College Women's Basketball Roster

2009-10 York College Women's Basketball Schedule

Jamie Polan photo courtesy of Mike Zortman