The Justice

Right, forward Cassidy Dadaos '09 plays tough defense during practice. Jenny Edelman/the Justice

Upon the completion of an intrasquad scrimmage at last Friday's practice, the women's basketball team huddled together at half court as a complete 15-person unit once again.

Togetherness will likely be the theme for the Judges this season, as they hope to build on their second-straight NCAA Tournament second-round appearance. To do so, they must replace a large hole in the middle with the graduation of all-time leading scorer and three-time All-American forward Caitlin Malcolm '07, as well as starting guard and defensive force Alison Chase '07.

"You don't replace a Caitlin Malcolm," coach Carol Simon said.

Captain and guard Jaime Capra '08, the team's leading scorer with 15.6 points per game last season, said Chase will also be missed.

"She just always seemed to come up with a big steal or a big three-pointer when we needed one," Capra said. "A lot of teams didn't necessarily look for her or focus on her on defense, so she was able to get a bunch of points and a bunch of steals that we're going to miss this year."

The cupboard is far from bare, however, as five of the top seven scorers return from a team that posted a 20-6 record last season, including a 71-66 season-ending loss to Emmanuel College in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Capra, a first-team all-University Athletic Association performer last season, returns along with fellow captain and point guard Kiersten Holgash '08.

Guard Jessica Chapin '10, who came off the bench to average 7.9 points per game last year, third-best on the team behind Capra and Malcolm, also returns, and inside players Lauren Orlando '09, Cassidy Dadaos '09 and Amanda Wells '09 provide an experienced frontcourt rotation.

"Everyone knows their role, and if everyone can play up to what's expected of them, then we can go really far," Orlando said.

After struggling with a torn labrum in her shoulder as a sophomore two years ago, Capra returned to the all-UAA first team and took over the scoring lead from Malcolm. Without Malcolm to double-team, however, opponents may now choose to focus their efforts on Capra.

"They're just going to not want the ball in her hands," Holgash said. "A lot of times last year, teams would double-team [Malcolm], so now I'm sure [Capra] can expect a lot more of the double-team on her ... They're going to focus on her no matter what."

Continued...

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