Saint Francis (PA)
Saint Francis (PA), selected eighth in the coaches' preseason poll, hopes to earn its first NEC Tournament appearance under second-year head coach Susan Robinson Frutchl. The Red Flash, who were a perennial powerhouse having won the NEC title in nine-of-ten years from 1996-2005, have not been a participant in the annual eight-team tournament since winning their last crown. Tapping a former Wade Trophy winner (1992) to lead their program, Saint Francis (PA) improved in two key areas - rebounding and scoring defense - under its rookie head coach. Inheriting a team that surrendered a league-high 74.7 points per game prior to her arrival, Robinson Fruchtl saw her Saint Francis (PA) team drop that number by 7.7 ppg. Senior forward Whitney Robinson (5.6 rpg) helped bump the Flash up three spots in rebounding margin by cutting their deficit from -6.1 to -3.8. Robinson has developed into a key force down low for the Red Flash during her three years in Loretto. As a junior, she was one of five Red Flash to average more than 7.0 points per game.
Freshmen Najah Prescott (F, 6-1) and Kelsey Caruthers (F, 6-1), both Keystone State products, add size to the front court, while returnees Britney Hodges (15.3 ppg, 29 starts), Shawna Scott (7.3 ppg, 115 asst.), and Samantha Leach (7.8 ppg, 32.6 mpg) are all formidable backcourt options. Hodges was the NEC's seventh-ranked scorer while ranking fourth in assists (3.72 apg), one spot behind Scott (3.97 apg). A well-rounded player that was fourth in free throw percentage (.779) and ninth in steals (1.72 spg) amongst league leaders, Hodges should help the young core around her expedite its development.
Saint Francis (PA) by the Numbers
Quick Facts
Starters Returning/Lost: 4/1
Letterwinners R/L: 7/4
2007-08 Record: 6-23
NEC Record/Place: 3-15/t-10th
NEC Tournament: DNQ
Overall Record (Past Four Years)
Last Year: 6-23
Last Two Years: 13-45
Last Three Years: 17-69
Last Four Years: 38-79
NEC Record (Past Four Years)
Last Year: 3-15
Last Two Years: 7-29
Last Three Years: 11-43
Last Four Years: 27-45
RPI Nat'l Rank/Conf. Standing
2007-08: 311/10th
2006-07: 281/10th
Leading Returning Scorers
Britney Hodges: 15.3 ppg
Whitney Robinson: 7.9 ppg
Samantha Leach: 7.8 ppg
Leading Returning Reboundes
Whitney Robinson: 5.6 rpg
Janie Killian: 5.1 rpg
Britney Hodges: 3.3 rpg