PETRELS IN ACTION

A few images of Petrels Holiday Action...

SCHEDULE CHANGE!

Please note the schedule changes for this weekend's STORMY PETREL CLASSIC!

Friday, December 19th @ 6pm: 

Oglethorpe vs. St. Norbert

Sunday, December 21st @ 2pm: 

Oglethorpe vs. Transylvania 

6-1 Overall; 2-0 Conference

D3 HOOPS #11, USA/ESPN #9 

CAME UP A LITTLE SHORT ACROSS TOWN...

BUT REBOUNDED TO DEFEAT OUR CONFERENCE NEMESIS 

EMORY  85

OGLETHORPE 84

Plain and simple, we were out-played by an Emory team that came prepared and played hard for 40 minutes. We fell behind early but came back to take a 1 point lead at the half. We opened up a 7-point lead in the second and had an opportunity to widen the gap, but the Eagles just kept coming back and they opened a four point lead with 7 seconds to go. Following a 3 pointer by Katie Kulavic with 1.4 seconds to go, the Stormy Petrels stole the inbounds pass and called a timeout with .5 to go.

Katie broke loose heading toward the basket and Hannah Brooks made a perfect pass but Katie’s off balance shot just rimmed off and the Stormy Petrels suffered their first defeat of the season. Anna Findley led the charge with 23 pts., Biz Richmann chipped in with 16 pts. and defensive specialist Hannah Brooks continues to help on the offensive end with 10 pts. Findley set a new school record for career steals. She now has 248. Brooks and Richmann both surpassed 500 career rebounds. 

DEPAUW  81

OGLETHORPE 84

This was a great women’s college basketball game! Two very good teams going at it for 40 minutes. This game would determine which team gets the season’s edge in conference play. DePauw was pre-season #3 Nationally, but suffered two early defeats. We all knew Coach Huffman would have her team ready to play as DePauw jumped out to a 10 point lead, but OU reqrouped and trailed at the half by 3. The Tigers had four players scoring in double figures but the Petrels countered with four also led by Katie Kulavic with 20 pts, 4, asst. and 5 reb. "Tenacious" Tina Grace returned to form, knocking down 19, followed closely by Biz Richmann with 17. But the difference maker was first year player Kelley Reeves who came off the bench scoring 14 on 3-4 from 3 pt. range, and then stepping to the charity stripe to drain 4-4 at a crucial juncture in the game. By the way, Kulavic never left the game and again proved why she is one of the best all round players in the country. 

CENTRE  67

OGLETHORPE 83

Sunday conference games are always difficult and this game was no exception. Centre has improved every year and this years’s addition is an excellent freshmen group and Coach Robinson will definitely have them ready for conference play after the Holiday break. Again, we fell behind by 10 and again we rallied to take an 8 point lead at the half. Our starting senior five just find a way to elevate their game. We were able to open an 18 pt. lead midway through the second half, but Centre made another run and cut the lead to under 10. But a 7-0 spurt sealed the 'W'. Anna Findley led the way with 19 pts. and 6 asst. Three players followed with 12 each: Kulavic, Grace and again Brooks who also had 9 reb.

What was important about this game was our bench contribution. It is imperative to the success of this year’s team that we lengthen our bench. We were able to substitute at crucial times in the game and our bench responded with solid minutes. 

HOLIDAY CLASSIC

DECEMBER 19, 20 AND NOW 21, 

SCHEDULE CHANGE

LaGrange College notified us last Wednesday, December 12 that they will not be able to attend the tournament. Up went the panic flag to find a plan B. We thought we had a team to step in, but late Friday they backed out. So we contacted St. Norbert and Transylvania and they both graciously altered their schedule. So now the Schedule is as follows:

OU vs St. Norbert, Friday at 6 pm 

St. Norbert vs Transylvania, Saturday at 2 pm 

Ou vs Transylvania, Sunday at 2 pm

The combined record of the three teams is 16-3! St. Norbert finished in the top 25 last season and was a pre-season top 25 team this season. Coach Tilley has been the head coach at St. Norbert for 32 years and is fast approaching the 500-win plateau (492-246). They graduated 1 senior from a team that went 22-5 last season and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Transylvania is presently 6-1 against a very difficult schedule. Coach Todd is in his third year at Transy earning a bid to the NCAA Tournament in his first season. Last season, the Pioneers suffered a team’s nightmare suffering 5 (yes 5!) season-ending ACL knee injuries. They still finished 15-12. The team is whole this season and playing well.

Sorry about the scheduling, but as it turns out, all three games should be great!

Remember, this is our fundraiser and there are NO passes for the games. Thx for your support. 

THIS YEAR’S COACHING STAFF

(AND WHAT A STAFF IT IS!) 

Theresa Gernatt - Coach Tag brings with her a suitcase full of D-I experience. Tag played at Ga. Tech and her resume includes a stint at Maryland, Miss. St., and 7 years at Florida St. So how did we end up with Coach TAG? Sometimes you get lucky. Our team and program will greatly benefit from her presence. 

Cindy Vaios - Coach Vaios returns for a second season with an expanded role. Cindy will be involved and prepare game scouting reports for opposing teams as well as individual workouts for the players. She is also the head Women’s Golf Coach at OU. 

Fallon Rehmert - Coach Rehmert comes to us from Vassar College where she was first asst. Fallon is a graduate of Maryville University in St. Louis. While at Maryville, her team went to three NCAA Tournaments. Fallon brings a lot of energy to the program and is used to winning. Fallon will also be involved with game prep and individual player development. 

ALUMNI GAME – JANUARY 10

OU VS SEWANEE 

The men play at 6, followed by the women

The all important Alumni Games will precede the above games.

The Women’s Alumni game will tipoff around 3, and the men’s game will be immediately after. Dinner will be provided following the alumni games. So plan to stay and make a day of it. OUR TRAINING STAFF WILL BE AVAILABLE TO HANDLE THOSE ACHING MUSCLES. We look forward to seeing all the grads. Contact me to make sure we reserve you a spot on one of the teams. 

TIDBITS

• Coach Campbell is off to a 5-3 start. Had Trinity down 30-18 at the half before losing by 10. She doesn’t have a long bench but we all know Coach Liz will get the best out of what she has.
• We dropped to #9 in one poll and #11 in the other following the 1-pt. loss to Emory.
• Biz Richmann was named to the D3 Hoops Team of the Week!
• Men off to a great start (6-2) with big W’s over Maryville and DePauw. They are playing exciting bball. Should be a great winter in Dorough this season.
• Remember... the Coach’s Show every Tuesday at 11. If you can’t listen at 11, you can replay it by going to the archives. You can also replay the games in archives. Usually have a player or two join in.
• THX TO ALL THOSE ARRANGING THE BETWEEN-SEMESTERS MEALS. IT DEFINITELY MAKES A DIFFERENCE.

TO OPEN THE SEASON...

4 GAMES IN 8 DAYS!

(WHO DID THE SCHEDULING?)

Yes, the #2 ranked Stormy Petrels played 4 games in 8 days to open the season.

Here are the details: 

• The Petrels averaged 91 points per game and won by an average of 26.
• The 5 senior starters averaged only 25 minutes per game... but each player averaged 5 rebounds per game, 3 assists, 13 points, and under 3 turnovers per game (which is great considering our pace and it's early in the year).
• Our bench has outscored every opponent's bench.
• For the 4 games, we shot 47% from the floor.
• Averaged over 20 assists per game 
• Forced an average 26 turnovers per game.
• Averaged 10 more rebounds per game then the opponents. (Remember our starting lineup is all but huge... 5'10", 5'8", 5'7, 5'7", 5"6")

83   OU

65   FERRUM

Four players score in double figures, led by Katie Kulavic with 19. Biz Richmann 16 pts., Anna Findley 15 pts. & 8 rebs., and Tina Grace 14 pts. Hannah Brooks chipped in 8 pts., 7 rebs., 6 assists. All dressed players saw action and the team shot 48% from the field.

91   OU

67   PIEDMONT

Every player scored, including new addition Amaris Wilson who has just joined the team (more later). We always count on Brooks to anchor our defense but this season we are looking for her to be more involved in the offense and she has responded by knocking down 10 points. Grace and Richmann each had 13 pts., and 6th man Jamie Osmanson had 10 pts. in 17 minutes. Soph. Ari Brown pulled down a career high 9 rebounds.

87   OU

60   GRINNELL

The Wheaton Invitational Tip-Off Tournament, Wheaton, Il.

Ari Brown continued her excellent play coming off the bench and scored a career high 14 pts., plus pulling down 8 rebs. in only 14 minutes of playing time. Our only true freshman, Rena Crossland, also had a career high 10 points. Soph. post Regi Howell is becoming a real presence in the post. Regi blocked 3 shots, altered 3 others, and had 7 rebs.

99   OU

68   WHEATON

Championship Game, Wheaton Tip-Off Tournament

The Stormy Petrels came out flying and played one of the finest halves of basketball I've seen at OU. By the half, OU held a 61-32 lead with 10 players scoring. Tournament MVP Kulavic had 16 by the half followed by All Tournament select Richmann with 14 and Findley with 11. The Petrels were able to maintain a tempo which suited their style of play, scoring on numerous primary and secondary break situations. When playing in the half court, unselfish play was the rule rather then the exception, as demonstrated by our 14 assists. Again we finished with 4 players scoring double digits. Soph. Kelly Reeves played a very strong 17 minutes, hitting two 3's early, as did Chelsea MacDonald who had 9 pts. The team shot 56% from the field and 48% from behind the 3 point line.

NOW, CAN WE KEEP IT UP?

Our next three games will tell us a lot about where we are.

We have 6 days before our next game at hometown rival Emory on December 2 at 6pm. They're undefeated and playing well and you know they would like nothing more than to stop our run. Remember, they had us down by 20 in the first half last season before we wore them down and won by 12.

AND THEN... 

DEPAUW COMES TO TOWN DECEMBER 5 for the first conference showdown. DePauw is ranked #3 or #5 in both national polls, and as you remember, they clipped our wings 3 times last season. Come support, need I say more!?!

Sunday, Dec. 7 at 2pm, we take on the much-improved Centre Tigers who have the best freshmen class in the conference. So far they're undefeated and have been putting the hurt on whoever they play.

NEW PLAYER

AMARIS WILSON: Amaris returns to the team after taking a year off. Amaris is a 5'9" power forward who has great ups and she'll really help us inside. She's a junior and will be around next season as well. 

HAPPENINGS

• Sad to report that Taymah Jones will be out for the season again. Taymah suffered a torn ACL in her other knee. She's been an inspiation to us all with her hard work and dedication to the team while rehabbing from her first ACL repair. Taymah's mental tenacity is absolutely astounding and I know she is capable of responding again! Her surgery is scheduled for mid-December.
• Special fan in Chicago: Biz Richmann's Granddad, who has never seen her play until our visit last weekend... and Biz did not disappoint.
• More Special Fans in Chicago: A whole horde of Nancy Kulavic's clan including two brothers, cousins, nieces and nephews all yelling "GO KATIE GO". Katie also did not disappoint. Typically, Katie said "It was embarrassing."
• Usual Special Guests in Chicago: Our many loyal parents who made the trip and also took the team downtown on the train to see beautiful (but COLD) Center City Chicago Friday evening.
• OPENING GAMES: A special thx to our home game operations crew, led by head baseball Coach Dan Giordano. I will have to pay off this Philly boy in soft pretzels and Philly Cheesesteaks.
• HAVE A HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

SCRIMMAGE SEASON ENDS

SCRIMMAGE SEASON ENDS ON AN UPPER

Two weeks ago the Stormy Petrels traveled to Pensacola to scrimmage D-II Univ. of West Florida. We held our own, outscoring UWF during the first 20 minute segment, while UCF outscored us in the second. Our new players, as well as our sophomore crew, gained valuable playing experience as we try to lengthen our bench.

We feel this is of prime importance as we prepare to uphold our lofty season goals. 

 After the scrimmage we all, including all our fans that traveled to Pensacola, gathered at the Grace's home where we were treated to a backyard shrimp boil-BBQ extravaganza, topped off with smoors cooked over an open fire. That Grace Clan and friends really know how to put on a party and I know Grandmom was watching over us.

Our senior crew was not exactly proud of how they played during the scrimmage and they came back to Atlanta and we had  two weeks of hard and productive practices preparing for our scrimmage against D-I Jacksonville State in Alabama.

Again, all our players received ample playing time and our D-III Petrels gave the Gamecocks all they could handle. Led by Kulavic, Findley and Richmond, the Petrels proved they can play at many levels of competition. New addition Kelley Reeves had an excellent scrimmage. 

As we told the players after the scrimmage, this will be the last time they will be considered an underdog as they will definitely have a target on their back every time they walk on the floor.

LET THE SEASON BEGIN AND IT'S BUSY FROM THE GET GO

The much anticipated 2008/09 season officially begins Saturday at 2 pm (not 7 pm as shown on the original schedule) against visiting Ferrum College from the USA South Conference. Ferrum is a pre-season pick to challenge for the top spot in their conference. They play an uptempo style of game so get ready for some end to end action.

The Stormy Petrels are again on the Dorough hardwoods Tuesday at 7 pm against NCAA Tournament foe Piedmont College. Always difficult and well coached, Piedmont is coming off two consecutive NCAA appearances and are poised to make a run for three in a row.

We then hop on a plane for Chicago and play in the prestigious Wheaton College Tipoff tournament Friday and Saturday. Friday we play Grinnell from Iowa and if we win we will probably play host Wheaton Saturday afternoon.

That will be four games in eight days. This will be a good test to see where we stand and how deep we are.

MORE PRE-SEASON ACCOLADES

The ESPN/USA Today/WBCA poll came out and they also gave the Stormy Petrels a #2 ranking matching the D3 Hoops ranking. UW-Whitewater is ranked # 1 in both polls. DePauw is ranked #3 in one and #5 in the other. Trinity also received votes in both polls. 

Senior Katie Kulavic has received pre-season All American recognition by D3 Hoops. She is on the second team as one of the two guards. Katie is 344 points away from becoming the leading scorer in SCAC history. Senior Anna Findley also is poised to surpass the record. 

HAPPENINGS

BASKETBALL MADNESS: Friday evening at 9pm. Both the women and men will present the 2008-09 players, followed by a slam dunk contest for the guys, the 3-point contest for both the men and women, and then two 10-minute scrimmages by both teams. 

Come on out and get a preview of what this season will bring.

RECRUITING: We're on to a special recruiting class and hopefully we will see them all in black and gold come next season... 

SATURDAY'S HALF TIME SHOW: The St Pius X talented 8th Grade team will play a intrasquad mini-game during half time. 

WEBCAST: If you can't make it to the games, you can follow along via our online webcast of all home games and this year selected away games. Also, Live Stats are available this season.