Women’s basketball has more depth than in past

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The Central Michigan women’s basketball team has two spots to fill in its starting five with the departure of Kaihla Szunko and Shonda Long.

Senior forward Skylar Miller, Mid-American Conference Freshman of the Year Niki DiGuilio and junior guard Brandie Baker are back.

“Our three returning starters (Miller, DiGuilio and Baker) have all been through the ropes,” said head coach Sue Guevara. “They’re stronger, lost weight and have done a great job leading with their work ethic.”

It has been a problem for Guevara to come up with a starting five early in the season, but she said it has been a good problem.

“I say that is a good thing because we have 9-to-10 players that could easily start,” Guevara said. “Part of it depends on consistency, the team we’re going to play and that may determine who gets any of the starting spots.”

MAC sixth Player of the Year Taylor Johnson is expected to lead a deep bench, continuing to be that sixth person.

“We had role meetings all week and coach (Guevara) sees me as coming in as a sixth player again,” Johnson said. “If she wants me to go out and roll on the ground for a ball, go in and get a foul or get a rebound, then I’ll do it for the team.”

Guevara can look for starters in the incoming freshman class. Three freshmen all enter the program out of Inkster High School.

Guard Crystal Bradford is rated No. 37 in the nation among freshmen according to ESPN, forward Jas’Mine Bracey is rated No. 9 among freshmen in Michigan according to Michigan Prep News and guard Leah Scott is rated No. 19 with Michigan Prep News.

“All three are very different players,” Guevara said.

Bradford is the type of player that can come in and be an instant factor with the offense, Bracey is an intimidating and physical player, while Scott reminds Guevara of Long from last season.

They aren’t the only freshman joining the roster. Petoskey guard Kerby Tamm and Belleville guard Jessica Green are also a part of the mix.

“Kerby (Tamm) is a really good knock-down three point shooter and sees the floor very well,” Guevara said. “Jess (Green) is a really smooth silky type of player and can play any of the guard positions.”

Guevara’s depth doesn’t only consist of freshmen. She has plenty of returning players who have had success with the team.

Sophomore guard Kylie Welch, who found a lot of playing time at the end of last season, handled the ball well and can shoot if needed.

Junior guard Jalisa Olive put up a school record 32 points for a reserve player against North Carolina A & T on Nov. 12, 2010.

Senior forward Sarah Huff looks to get more time this season and sophomore forward Lauren Bellamy is coming off a season-ending knee injury and is said to be one of the team’s stronger players.

Sophomore forward Jordan LaDuke returns in December against Purdue after she becomes eligible from her Florida Gulf Coast transfer. She is required to sit out an entire year because of NCAA transfer rules.

“We are going to be deeper on the bench,” Johnson said. “Last year we only played about eight players, this year we have a lot more people.”