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Newcomers do it all in exhibition win
By Luke Plansky
Date Posted: 2009-11-02
The Iowa State women’s basketball team may have a new look, but coach Bill Fennelly hopes his team’s brand of basketball is familiar.
Four freshmen scored in double figures Sunday afternoon, as the Cyclones opened the season with a 99-57 exhibition win over Dubuque. An announced crowd of 9,552 was introduced to this year’s team, which returns only two starters.
“We have a lot of new faces, but I hope the fans that came leave here feeling like, hey, it’s the same kind of Iowa State team,” said Fennelly, who’s beginning his 15th season in Ames. “They play hard; they play the game the right way. New faces, new numbers, but the same approach.”
Freshman guard Jessica Schroll led the Cyclones with a team-high 18 points. Freshman forward Chelsea Poppens scored 14 points and 12 rebounds. Freshman Amanda Zimmerman chipped in with 14 points and six rebounds, and 6-foot-6 freshman Anna Prins added 10 points in 14 minutes. Junior Kelsey Bolte and senior Allison Lacey had 13 and 12 points, respectively.
The Cyclones jumped out to a 21-4 lead in the first 8 minutes, 10 seconds of the game and led 53-23 at halftime.
“We have a lot of new players, and they were all very nervous, but I though they did a great job,” Fennelly said. “So it’s something to build on. And now it starts.
“It’s November, and it’s time to move, and I think our players are excited about the possibilities.”
ISU doesn’t play again until Sunday, Nov. 8, when it hosts Minnesota-Crookston in an exhibition, but the Cyclones settled some early-season jitters and questions about the team.
Sophomore junior college transfer Chassidy Cole had nine assists and only one turnover in 25 minutes. Fennelly said Cole has assumed the role of the team’s backup point guard behind Lacey.
“She understands our system; she’s picked it up much quicker than we thought,” Fennelly said. “She handles ball well. I think she didn’t get much of a chance to score today, but she can shoot it enough to score.”
The Cyclones may have found a frontcourt option to rely on in Poppens, a 6-2 forward from Aplington, whom Fennelly called the “most consistent” post player throughout practice so far.
Poppens said the newcomers on the team know they’ll assume a large role in this year’s team.
“I think we’ve realized that we have to step up to the plate and a lot is expected of us,” Poppens said.
Schroll, a McDonald’s All-America nominee, showcased her athletic ability on Sunday, scoring with a tip-in that caused Fennelly to stop the game. She made 7 of 13 field goals and was 4 for 5 at the free-throw line, also pulling down six rebounds and blocking two shots.
By Luke Plansky
Date Posted: 2009-11-02
Iowa State freshman guard Jessica Schroll had 18 points in a 99-57 exhibition win over Dubuque on Sunday.
Tribune photo by Nirmalendu Majumdar
Tribune photo by Nirmalendu Majumdar
The Iowa State women’s basketball team may have a new look, but coach Bill Fennelly hopes his team’s brand of basketball is familiar.
Four freshmen scored in double figures Sunday afternoon, as the Cyclones opened the season with a 99-57 exhibition win over Dubuque. An announced crowd of 9,552 was introduced to this year’s team, which returns only two starters.
“We have a lot of new faces, but I hope the fans that came leave here feeling like, hey, it’s the same kind of Iowa State team,” said Fennelly, who’s beginning his 15th season in Ames. “They play hard; they play the game the right way. New faces, new numbers, but the same approach.”
Freshman guard Jessica Schroll led the Cyclones with a team-high 18 points. Freshman forward Chelsea Poppens scored 14 points and 12 rebounds. Freshman Amanda Zimmerman chipped in with 14 points and six rebounds, and 6-foot-6 freshman Anna Prins added 10 points in 14 minutes. Junior Kelsey Bolte and senior Allison Lacey had 13 and 12 points, respectively.
The Cyclones jumped out to a 21-4 lead in the first 8 minutes, 10 seconds of the game and led 53-23 at halftime.
“We have a lot of new players, and they were all very nervous, but I though they did a great job,” Fennelly said. “So it’s something to build on. And now it starts.
“It’s November, and it’s time to move, and I think our players are excited about the possibilities.”
ISU doesn’t play again until Sunday, Nov. 8, when it hosts Minnesota-Crookston in an exhibition, but the Cyclones settled some early-season jitters and questions about the team.
Sophomore junior college transfer Chassidy Cole had nine assists and only one turnover in 25 minutes. Fennelly said Cole has assumed the role of the team’s backup point guard behind Lacey.
“She understands our system; she’s picked it up much quicker than we thought,” Fennelly said. “She handles ball well. I think she didn’t get much of a chance to score today, but she can shoot it enough to score.”
The Cyclones may have found a frontcourt option to rely on in Poppens, a 6-2 forward from Aplington, whom Fennelly called the “most consistent” post player throughout practice so far.
Poppens said the newcomers on the team know they’ll assume a large role in this year’s team.
“I think we’ve realized that we have to step up to the plate and a lot is expected of us,” Poppens said.
Schroll, a McDonald’s All-America nominee, showcased her athletic ability on Sunday, scoring with a tip-in that caused Fennelly to stop the game. She made 7 of 13 field goals and was 4 for 5 at the free-throw line, also pulling down six rebounds and blocking two shots.
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