By Justin Zackal
2018 PAC Freshman of the Year, Lauren Gilbert, hopes to lead W&J to a conference crown.
There’s often been a tacit acknowledgment of “Yes, after Thomas More” when people talk about the closely contested women’s basketball games in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference. That’s because no other team has won the league since 2006 and the Saints were outscoring their PAC opponents by an average of more than 40 points per game. This year, however, is the first “after Thomas More” season, with the Saints leaving the conference a year ago, allowing the light to shine brighter on the competitiveness of the league. The question is: Who is going to step into that spotlight?
“The PAC has always been a tight race,” said Chelle Fuss, Grove City’s sixth-year head coach. “We have some fantastic teams out there. They are still there. It’s still going to be a competitive season (for) all the teams in the PAC.”
Either Washington & Jefferson or Saint Vincent has placed second in the PAC the last eight years, so it’s no surprise that they were tied for first in the preseason coaches’ poll. Well, maybe a little surprise.
“I was a little surprised being that we graduated five seniors,” said W&J 15th-year head coach Jina DeRubbo. “I wasn’t sure where people would view us in terms of the seeding. But I think it speaks to the respect people have for our program’s success over a long period of time.”
The Presidents seem like the logical heir apparent with W&J winning at least 13 PAC games in each of the last six seasons, while also posting a 141-57 record (.712) in PAC games since it last won the league in 2006.
“Without Thomas More, it’s more interesting for the first time in a long time, but we’re excited,” DeRubbo said.
The following is a blurb on each team listed in order of predicted finish in the preseason coaches’ poll with last year’s overall record and PAC record in parenthesis:
WASHINGTON & JEFFERSON (22-6, 15-3)
The Presidents, runners-up to Thomas More in 2013, ’14, ’16 and ’18, return two starters: senior F Danielle Parker (13.8 ppg, 7.9 rpg), a second-team all-PAC selection, and sophomore G Lauren Gilbert (12.8 ppg), who claimed PAC Freshman of the Year laurels a season ago.
SAINT VINCENT (19-10, 14-4)
The Bearcats return three starters from last year’s team that lost to W&J, 63-62, in the PAC semifinals, but despite finishing as runners-up in 2017 and 2015, ninth-year head coach Jimmy Petruska said he wants his team to avoid focusing on the past. Senior G Maria Morgan averaged 8.6 points last year for a team that didn’t have a player with a double-figure scoring average as a result of a well-balanced offense.
GROVE CITY (18-10, 12-6)
Fuss described her team as having a “fast-paced defense with a controlled offense,” but still quick enough offensively to play full-court and score within seven seconds. Despite losing first-team all-PAC guard Lexie Arkwright to graduation, the Wolverines will have the luxury to speed things up with senior PG McKenzie Black serving as Fuss’ “coach on the court” as a third-year starter. Junior F Kate Balcom (12.5 ppg) also returns.
WAYNESBURG (15-12, 10-8)
The Yellow Jackets lost their top three scorers from last year but senior guards Monica Starre (9.1 ppg) and Julie Deklaven (5.1 ppg) are returning for a team that placed fifth in the league.
BETHANY (12-15, 8-10)
Three starters returned from last year’s sixth-place Bison team, led by senior F Ashley Duthie (7.9 ppg). Senior Sammie Weiss is back after missing most of last season due to injury. Weiss averaged 16.4 ppg in 16 games during the 2016-2017 season.
WESTMINSTER (7-19, 3-15)
The Titans return three starters including junior F Emily Fromknecht (11.2 ppg, 6.7 rpg), a PAC honorable mention selection last season. Senior Jackie Matthews is a sharpshooter poised for a breakout season and freshman Magen Polczynski adds a championship pedigree from Norwin High School.
CHATHAM (5-20, 3-15)
All five starters return for the Cougars for new head coach David Sauer, including senior guards Katie Sieg (14.4 ppg) and Ashley McClain (10.9 ppg). After missing last season with a leg injury, grad student Megan Sieg (10.5 ppg as a junior) returns and should provide a defensive boost as well.
GENEVA (8-18, 5-13)
Senior G Callie Ford (17.3 ppg), the fifth leading scorer in the PAC last year, is one of two returning starters for Geneva. Ford recently broke Geneva’s single-game scoring record with a 39-point effort against Penn State-Altoona on Nov. 16.
THIEL (3-22, 2-16)
Four starters are back for the Tomcats, led by senior G Jess Vormelker (19.8 ppg), a second-team all-PAC selection who led the PAC in scoring last year. Freshman Destiny Johnson has already made a splash with three double-doubles in non-conference play.
