‘91--’92 PREP BASKETBALL: EMPIRE LEAGUE

Loara 1990-91 RECORDS OVERALL: 14-11 LEAGUE: 7-3

COACH: RECORD AT SCHOOL Debbie Wheeler: 0-0

RETURNING STARTERS YR. HGT. P Rebecca Stevens Jr. 5-8 F Susanna Poon Sr. 5-3 G Miyuki Shiba Sr. 5-5 G

TOP RETURNERS YR. HGT. P Kathy Shirley Jr. 5-5 G

TOP NEWCOMERS YR. HGT. P Tiffany Abercrombie Fr. 5-8 G-F Tricia Wedekind Sr. 5-5 G Dawn Bowman Sr. 5-8 F

OUTLOOK

The Saxons expected to be without graduated prep All-American Tracy Titus this season, but not without Coach Lynn Parish. Four days before the start of practice, however, Parish’s doctor unexpectedly advised her to begin her maternity leave immediately. Wheeler, who coached the Loara junior varsity last year but didn’t expect to coach on any level this season, agreed to take over for Parish. “It was really short notice, so we’re all really glad Debbie could do it,” Parish said. “It makes me feel better knowing that someone who’s familiar with the program has the job.” Wheeler inherits three returning starters, including honorable mention all-league players Stevens and Poon. Stevens rebounds and shoots well from her forward position, while Poon is the team’s best ballhandler and the quickest Saxon. Parish plans for Poon to be a more aggressive offensive player this season. “Any time you lose a player like Tracy Titus, you need your other people to step up their contributions, and Susanna has the ability to score more,” Parish said. Shirley and Shiba are expected to provide tough defense at the guard position, and Wedekind and Bowman have three-point range. Parish also says that Abercrombie is better as a freshman than Titus was at that age.