SPOKANE, Wash. - With eight new players on the roster, it seems that if somehow the Whitworth women’s basketball team can get to know each other, both on and off of the court, they have the talent to put together a run at the Northwest Conference playoffs.

"We are getting to know each other and learning strengths and abilities," said Whitworth head coach Helen Higgs, who is 187-117 in her 13th year leading the Pirates.

Higgs will have to replace four starters from 2005-06, but she appears to have the tools to do so from a solid incoming group this season that includes both transfers and a good freshmen class.

The 2006-07 Pirates will have a good mixture of size a speed, shooting ability and athleticism.

"We’d like to play a little faster this year," said Higgs. "We’ll pick up a lot more in the back court with pressure. I also expect us to be more balanced between inside play and outside shooting."

The back court will have the most experience, though not all of it at Whitworth. Cassie Snyder (Jr., G, Spokane, Wash. - Northwest Univ.) played two seasons for the NAIA Eagles of Northwest. She will likely take over the starting point guard role for the Bucs. Providing back up should be Leah Pomante (Fr., G, Colbert, Wash. - Mt. Spokane), who may have been on her way to an all-league season as a senior in high school before she was slowed by a knee injury.

Teresa Zeitler (Jr., G, Medical Lake, Wash. - Medical Lake) returns to start at shooting guard. She averaged almost five points and 3.5 rebounds last season. Molly Schlander (So., G, Scottsdale, Ariz. - Chaparral) should provide solid minutes as well.

The small forward position figures to be a battle between Tiffany Corigliano (So., F, Nine Mile Falls, Wash. - Lakeside) and Natalie Orrell (Fr., F, Wenatchee, Wash. - Wenatchee). Corigliano appeared in 12 games last season. Orrell was a Second Team All-Big 9 selection.

The other forward spot appears to belong to Alida Bower (So., F, Onalaska, Wash. - St. Martin’s Univ.). She was the Pirates’ leading scorer through seven games last season, but suffered a season-ending knee injury in the eighth contest. Jamie Scott (So., F, Tacoma, Wash. - Life Christian), who played in seven games last winter, could see time as well.

Susan McDaniel (Fr., P, Newport, Wash.- Newport) was her team’s MVP as a senior in 2005, and should make a big impact for the Pirates this year in the middle. Shaundra Johnson (Jr., P, Onalaska, Wash. - Shoreline CC) could provide key minutes in the post for the Pirates later in the season.

Stacie Scott (So., G/F, Portland, Ore. - Glencoe), Amanda Burnside (Fr., G, Duvall, Wash. - Sultan) and Alexis Bell (Fr., F, Camas, Wash. - Camas) will provide valuable depth off of the bench throughout the line up.
With such a new group of players, Higgs will expect much from her team captains: Bower, Zeitler and Snyder.

"Those three were voted for by the team because of their consistency in play and effort, as well as their solid leadership," said Higgs.

Whitworth opens the season on Friday with a tournament at Santa Cruz, California, followed by the home opener on Monday the 20th of November against Montana Tech. Northwest Conference play begins with a home weekend against Pacific and Lewis & Clark on December 1st and 2nd.