Nov. 10, 2008

Stony Brook, N.Y. - Stony Brook's record in 2007-08 hardly told the story of a team that fought through every game, displayed courage and perseverance and battled in every game. Stony Brook ended its America East season with a 40-point victory over New Hampshire in the regular season finale. Capitalizing on the momentum of that victory, the Seawolves upset Maine in the first round of the America East tournament. The confidence and determination shown at the end of last season will serve the team well coming into this season.

The 2008-09 Seawolves will feature two freshmen, five sophomores and five juniors with no seniors. For the second year in a row, youth will be well served on this year's roster.

"We're still young but our freshmen have gained so much experience and we're hoping that confidence carries over," Cherry says. "The freshmen had to grow up so quickly last season but at the same time had a lot of court time. We took our lumps but we're going to be better in the long run."

In order for the Seawolves to be successful, their defense must create for the offense. "Our defense is going to be the key to our success," Cherry says. "We're going to try to play fast and force the opponent to make mistakes." Stony Brook did just that last season, finishing second in the conference with 9.58 steals and first in blocked shots with 3.81. It ranked 80th and 83rd, respectively, in those categories, nationally.

Despite the five-player junior class, the upperclassmen are inexperienced. "We're really going to need our juniors to step up," Cherry says. "They are the elder statesmen of our team. As freshmen, they experienced success from afar and as sophomores some difficult times. In order for us to be successful, we're going to need them to be step up and be productive on a consistent basis."

BACKCOURT

Cherry once again will put the ball in the hands of sophomore point guard Misha Horsey (Wyncote, Pa.). Horsey was the first women's player to start each game as a freshman since Jessica Smith `07 in 2003-04. "Misha was thrown into the fire last year but at the same time gained valuable experience," Cherry says. In starting all 31 games, Horsey averaged 5.7 points, 2.1 assists and 1.8 rebounds per game. Horsey recorded a career-high of seven assists vs. Binghamton and had six assists twice in a game last season. "Misha had a tremendous offseason, attending point guard college in the summer. She grew immensely as a result of that and her confidence is at an all-time high," Cherry says.

Another returning member to the backcourt is junior Kairsten Nunn (Bowie, Md.). Nunn played in 30 games, starting 17, and averaged 7.0 points per game. "We fed off Kairsten's energy last season and we're going to need her to energize us again," Cherry says. "She's one of our better players shooting off the dribble and worked on shooting off the catch and ballhandling. We're expecting another positive season from her."

Sophomore Jodie Plikus (Waterford, Conn.) also figures into the mix as she emerged as one of the team's deep threats. "Jodie is a pure shooter. She has the ability to stretch defenses and create space for herself because of her range," Cherry says.

Cherry expects sophomore Ariel Brown (Lumberton, N.J.) to contribute this year after seeing limited time as a freshman. "Ariel is a great athlete who worked on all facets of her game in the offseason," Cherry says.

Freshman Tamiel Murray (Teaneck, N.J.) and junior transfer Cassie Klockgether (San Diego, Calif.) add depth; both can play either guard position. Murray is a two-time first-team all-Bergen County selection who led her team to a 71-14 record as a three-year varsity player. "Tamiel adds a lot of versatility to our team and her experience with a winning team in high school gives us a boost," Cherry says.

Klockgether comes to Stony Brook from Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, Calif., where she was a two-time all-state selection. Last year, she averaged 20.1 points, 5.9 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game. "Cassie is a deceptive player. She brings game experience, having played two seasons of college basketball. She has a small frame, but when you look at what she's capable of doing instead of what she can't, she's dangerous. She has tremendous play-making ability," Cherry says.

FRONTCOURT

A number of players, led by junior Joia Daniels (Silver Spring, Md.), could see time at the small forward position this season. Daniels averaged 2.2 points per game in 21 games a year ago. "Joia has worked hard to increase her range. She has the ability to be a slasher. Now it's time for her to step up," Cherry says.

Sophomore Kirsten Jeter (Elmont, N.Y.) emerged as the team's unquestioned leader down the stretch last season and this year should be no different. Jeter averaged 9.3 points per game as a freshman, earning all-rookie honors. "Kirsten has a warrior mentality. She wants to win so bad that she'll find a way to get it done," Cherry says. "She is very versatile with the ability to play both forward positions. I'll expect her to start right where she left off." After seeing action in 29 games last year, junior Crystal Rushin (Valley Stream, N.Y.) looks to team with Jeter to make up for the loss of Dana Ferraro. Rushin averaged 3.0 points and 2.2 rebounds per game as a sophomore. "We're going to need Crystal to be at her best this year," Cherry says. "We need her to be consistent day in and day out."

Freshman Destiny Jacobs (Glen Burnie, Md.) adds some much-needed depth to the team as she can play the four or five. Jacobs averaged 13 points and 10 rebounds per game last year for the McDonogh School, leading the squad to a second-place finish in the IAAM tournament. "Destiny gives us added depth up front," Cherry says. "She has a good back-to-the-basket game and can hit the 10-to-12-foot jumper."

Junior Sarah Kazadi (Bronx, N.Y.) and sophomore Samantha Norwood (Perth, Australia) are the Seawolves' post players this season. Kazadi played in 15 games last season, recording a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds vs. Brown. "Sarah is a completely different player from when she first got here," Cherry says. "We will count on her to grab rebounds and pose a defensive challenge up front; her biggest thing now is consistency." Norwood had a terrific offseason in her native Australia. "Sam has come back this year in great shape and with a renewed confidence," Cherry says. "She's improved her back-to-the-basket game and is one of our better players at getting down the floor. She's matured greatly since getting here and getting more and more acclimated to college basketball and living in the United States."

SCHEDULE

The 2008-09 schedule could prove to be the most challenging in school history. Stony Brook opens the season on November 14 at home vs. Quinnipiac, a team that made the NIT last season and has faced the Seawolves three straight years. Beginning a five-game road trip with contests at the Big Ten's Michigan State (Nov. 16) and Penn State (Nov. 19) provide an early-season challenge. "We're excited to compete against college basketball mainstays like Michigan State and Penn State," Cherry says. Stony Brook continues its road trip with games at Princeton (Nov. 22), St. John's (Nov. 28) and Sacred Heart (Dec. 3). "All these games will get us ready for the America East," Cherry said.

Stony Brook returns home for games against Northeastern (Dec. 6) and Yale (Dec. 8) before facing Dartmouth (Dec. 13), a team Stony Brook beat, 65-48, last season. The Seawolves host Manhattan (Dec. 15) in the final non-conference home game of the season.

The highlight of the non-conference portion of the season will occur over the Christmas break when the Seawolves travel to Los Angeles to compete in the Loyola Marymount Holiday Tournament. "Going to the West Coast is going to be a good experience for our team," Cherry says. Stony Brook faces Delaware (Dec. 29) in the first game of the tournament and either host Loyola Marymount or San Jose State, the following day. "This tournament is going to be a good test for us as our final tune-up heading into conference play," Cherry says.

The Seawolves host regular season runner-up Boston University in the America East opener on January 7. The following week, Stony Brook is at Vermont, a WNIT participant from a year ago. Other conference games of note are matchups against state rivals Albany (Jan. 27 and Mar. 4), Binghamton (Jan. 18 and Feb. 14), and America East champion Hartford (Jan. 24 and Feb. 28).