The 2000-01 Jeffs were a young team, having only one senior, Charlotte Taylor '01, and one junior, current co-captain Hallison Putnam '02. Following these veterans to their new home in LeFrak Gymnasium was a bevy of talented, but inexperienced, freshmen and sophomores.
Would the young group match up against the always-stiff NESCAC competition, not to mention other,crushing regional powers?
Cue Gene Hackman measuring the baseline in "Hoosiers." The 2000-01 Jeffs began their season on a 7-1 tear, en route to a 23-win season-the best season in the program's history-and the squad's first postseason appearance since the 1996-1997 season.
With the absence of offensive go-to-girl Naomi Sullivan '00 from the Jeff lineup, Head Coach Billy McBride turned to a variety of strategies to stifle opponents.
Shooting guard Shannon Russell '04 had a phenomenal rookie campaign, leading the Jeffs in scoring with double figures in 19 games, and Sara Bozorg '03 dished out a NESCAC-leading six assists a game at point guard, to complement her conference-high three steals a game.
Amherst also performed on defense, featuring Sarah Walker '03, Sarah Bergman '04 and Caitlin Farrell '04 at forward. Together, the three finished in the top three NESCAC slots, respectively, in blocked shots. They also teamed up to average 24.6 rebounds a game, with Walker pulling down almost half of that amount each night alone.
The 2000-01 squad ripped through its regular season, tying a school record with 10 consecutive wins at one point. In the NCAA-bid deciding NESCAC Tournament, the Jeffs took down Bates College in the semifinals after falling behind by 18 points early in the game.
However, the next day brought the squad up against Bowdoin College in the championship. Bowdoin took the game, and Amherst's hopes for an NCAA Tournament appearance.
But the loss gave the Jeffs the top seed in the ECAC Tournament, where they bounced back with an 84-point game against hapless Framingham State College, which could only muster 48 points in response.
The semifinals brought Amherst against Colby College. In a frustrating turn of events, the Jeffs fell 71-59 to the White Mules, ending their 2000-01 run.
One year later, the squad looks to be in excellent shape for a repeat appearance in the posteason and, possibly, into the record books.
Having lost only Taylor to graduation, the young team that seemed ill-equipped at the beginning of last year's season is now poised to prove itself a blessing-in-disguise.
Russell will lead the backcourt and should develop into a viable scoring threat. As a freshman, Russell turned heads in the NESCAC, and her sophomore experience should only sweeten the deal for McBride and company.
At the point guard position, Putnam will replace Bozorg who is studying abroad this year. The postion is not a new one for Putnam-she started as a freshman and provided a huge push off the bench for the Jeffs last year.
Sophomores Ana Yarawamai and LaShauna Barboza will also get their chance to handle the Amherst offense following uplifting rookie campaigns.
Marissa McGuire '04 will most likely be asked to step into Taylor's spot, followed by the squad's only freshman, Katie Herlihy, and junior Kelly Potanka.
Walker, Bergman and Farrell will all maintain their spots in the post for the Jeffs. Walker, who is currently studying abroad, will rejoin the team over Interterm. Up until that point, co-captain Brooke Diamond '03 will probably man her spot. Diamond, who has provided a late-game spark off the bench in the past for the Jeffs, will acclimate to her new role quickly,
"I think that our size down low and the awesome shooting from our guards should open up the court for diverse play," said Bergman. "We will be a fun team to watch."
The Jeffs opened their season with a tough 70-60 overtime road loss last night at nearby Mount Holyoke College. With the win, the Lyons improved their early-season record to 3-0.
The Amherst five will look to rebound from the setback when they face non-league foe Keene State College in Thursday's home opener, slated to start at 7:00 p.m.