Johnson County Community College
Press Release

College Information and Publications
913-469-8500
Julie Haas, Director, ext. 3120
Peggy Graham, Writer, ext. 3425
Tyler Cundith, Sports Information Director, ext. 3122

10/31/07
Story by Tyler Cundith

Johnson County ninth in preseason poll

OVERLAND PARK, KS -- The Johnson County Community College women’s basketball program has been given the ninth spot in the NJCAA D-II Basketball Preseason Poll for the 2007-08 campaign.  It marks the ninth consecutive season JCCC has opened their season ranked nationally.  Kankakee Community College, the 2006-07 national runner-up, is the top team in the country.  

Last season, head coach Debbie Carrier led her team to an eighth straight Region VI title and a 23-10 record.   She returns seven key players from that squad, including starters Heather Rourk of Iola, Kan., Meghan Waggoner of Carthage, Mo., and Brittney Slifer of Warrensburg, Mo.  All three earned All-Region VI accolades last season.  Rourk, who averaged 10.4 points and 5.9 rebounds as a freshman, was selected as a third-team NJCAA Preseason All-American.  Waggoner averaged 11.2 points and 7.0 rebounds, and Slifer poured in 8.1 points and shot over 43 percent from 3-point range, nailing 60 of 139 attempts.

Also back are guards Bethany Schwab of Wellsville, Kan., Erica Rothweiler of Rose Hill, Kan., and forwards Emily Larson of Colony, Kan. and Misty Stone of Hoyt, Kan.  Schwab led the squad in 3-point baskets made with 65.  She averaged 7.5 points per game.  Rothweiler averaged 2.4 points, Larson averaged 3.7 points and Stone 2.3 per game.

Carrier also has added several talented newcomers this season.   Her 2007-08 freshman class consists of forwards Ivy Morrison and Amanda Ditmer of Topeka, Kan., guard Danielle Shows of Atlanta, Ga., and forward Katie Buenger of Osage City, Kan.

JCCC will tip off its 2007-08 season on Nov. 2, when they face Crowder College in the first game of the State Fair Classic in Sedalia, Mo.