Tough schedule could benefit a young RedHawks squad

Nine of Miami’s 12 players are either freshmen or sophomores.

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By Pete Conrad, Staff Writer 2:51 AM Saturday, November 14, 2009

OXFORD — Miami University women’s basketball coach Maria Fantanarosa knows she will have to be a little patient with a young team this season.

More than half of the RedHawks still were in high school when Miami won the Mid-American Conference tournament championship two years ago. Two of the likely starters in the season opener tonight, Nov. 14, are making their collegiate debuts.

“We’re trying not to jump the gun too much,” Fantanarosa said. “Right now we’re not running a lot of offenses and we’re trying to keep our defense simple and fundamental.”

That’s as far as her patience goes. In most other respects, Fantanarosa is throwing this team into the fire, and she expects it to pay off.

“Our schedule might be the toughest pre-conference schedule I’ve had, and added to that, it’s the youngest team I’ve ever had,” she said.

“But when we are challenged by the best,” she added, “it can only help us to be the best.”

Miami opens against Bucknell in the first round of the Iona Tip-off Classic in New Rochelle, N.Y., and could face Arizona the following day.

Other early-season opponents include Wake Forest, Kentucky, Miami (Fla.) and possibly Pittsburgh.

But Fantanarosa has made it clear that she likes the potential of her team, which will have a new style from the squad which finished 16-15 a year ago.

“It’s a lot different,” she said. “Our guards are big, our point guard can hit the 3, we can run the floor, we are interchangeable at so many positions.”

Miami lost one of the top guards in the MAC when Jenna Schone, the team leader in scoring, assists, steals and 3-point baskets, graduated last year.

But the RedHawks have first- and second-year players with obvious talent:

• Sophomore guard Maggie Boyer was the team’s second-leading scorer and leading free-throw shooter last year.

• Sophomore forward-guard Rachel Henke averaged 12.8 points over the last five regular-season games.

• Freshman forward Kirsten Olowinski totaled 20 points and 13 rebounds in Miami’s 85-54 exhibition win over Tiffin last week.

• Freshman point guard Courtney Osborn totaled 12 points, nine assists, three steals and only one turnover in the same game.

The RedHawks do have a little experience. Senior forward Ashleigh Brown is Miami’s vocal leader, and senior guard Courtney Reed was third on the team in scoring (9.2) and second in steals last season.

Contact this reporter at  (513) 820-2197 or pconrad@coxohio.com.