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SPORTS

The Norwich Guidon
Mar. 25, 2004

Women's basketball ends season 22-6

By Brian Mullally
Norwich Guidon Staff Writer

After a long winter sports season, sports teams get tired both mentally and physically as nagging injuries and long schedules overwhelm the team. However, when March rolls around, there is only one thing on a sports team's mind, and that's the playoffs. The playoffs are when a team gets its second wind and will do anything and everything to win.

The Lady Cadets basketball team is in that second wind stage as they continue to have one of their best seasons in recent memory.

"That was our main goal at the beginning of the season, to make the GNAC playoffs," said Jamie Abrams, a senior physical education major from Long Island, NY. "Our other team goal was to beat Emanuel, which we've never done, but we came as close as ever this year, only losing to them by two points," Abrams said.

Teams always have a few negative and positive aspects during the year, and the women's team was no different.

"There weren't too many negatives within our team," said Lisa Belmonte, a senior physical education major from Long Island, NY. "There are little things that teams always have difficulty with, but that happens with every team, and you have to learn how to get past it."

With every team there seems to be a player or two who contribute more to the team than expected at the beginning of the year.

"Sara Chap is one player that comes to mind," said Kim Sweeny, a junior business major from Fairhaven, Vt. "As a freshman, she really contributed to our team's success and was also nominated for the Rookie of the Year."

"Miranda Perras is someone who worked really hard in the off season, after sitting out all last year with a knee injury," Abrams said. "She has been one of our most consistent players and really has become a leader on and off the court."

With having such a strong upperclass this year, the cadets will lose some key players to graduation.

"We are graduating five players this year," Sweeny said. "I think we will be fine next year with the players we have returning. "Alicia Crismalie, Miranda Perras, and Leslie Conway are all solid players, so I think we will be fine next year."

The team had an amazing season, with 22 wins and six losses, but once playoff season rolls around, that record becomes meaningless.

"We're really excited to be doing so well in the playoffs as we are," Belmonte said. "We're just having fun, and we will see where it takes us."

With a home victory against Springfield, the team played at Brandeis College in Boston in the ECAC Final Four.

"We're so excited about going to the Final Four," Abrams said. "I can't think of a better way to end my career here at Norwich."

The women played hard but lost to Eastern Connecticut 42-79 in the GNAC semifinal game.

The Norwich Guidon is a twice-monthly student newspaper distributed at Norwich University. It provides laboratory experience for students in the Communications program. Claims asserted by letter writers, editorials and other articles do not represent the positions of Norwich University. The Norwich Guidon welcomes signed letters to the editor. They should be no longer than 300 words. Unsigned letters will not be printed, but names may be withheld upon worthy request. All letters are subject to editing for length and good taste. Mailing address: The Norwich Guidon, Communications Center, Norwich University, Northfield, VT 056632. www.norwich.edu/guidon. If you have any questions or comments about the paper, please contact Professor Ken Bush at kbush@norwich.edu.