2002-03 SCHEDULE

Nov. 29-30 -- Slippery Rock Tipoff tourney Dec. 4 -- at Moniteau Dec. 5 -- at Canevin Catholic Dec. 9 -- at Mercer Dec. 12 -- at East Dec. 16 -- Strong Vincent Jan. 9 -- Grove City* Jan. 11 -- Meadville Jan. 13 -- at Wilmington Jan. 16 -- at Sharon* Jan. 20 -- at Greenville Jan. 23 -- Hickory Jan. 30 -- at Grove City* Feb. 6 -- Sharon* Feb. 10 -- Wilmington Feb. 13 -- at Hickory* Feb. 15 -- Mercer    #=MCAC-AAA contest

By The Herald Sports Staff

John Tabisz lost four starters to graduation, so you would expect him to be a little worried about how the Slippery Rock Lady Rockets would fare in 2002-03. Instead, he is cautiously optimistic, especially after the effort that his girls put in during the summer.

"I'm really optimistic. We had a real good summer -- probably the best summer we've had in a long time," the 16-year mentor said. "It was kind of funny because there was a bigger focus on winning than there has been here in a long time. That may carry over."

While he waits to see if the summer mentality carries over into the regular season, Tabisz has to wonder if the losing will ever cease.

"I think the mental part -- believing that you can be good -- is important. We've worked on it, but I don't think they have confidence yet," Tabisz said. "From last year, we have to improve our shooting, so that's suspect. If those two things come into place, we're going to be fine."

To help get his squad into the right frame of mind, Tabisz scheduled scrimmages against WPIAL contender Beaver Falls and fellow District 10 foe Franklin before opening the season in the Slippery Rock Tip-Off tourney.

"For a team that hasn't won, it builds the confidence. It's important we get off to a good start," Tabisz said. "We're going to get two very good tests before the season (Beaver Falls and Franklin)."

After struggling for the later part of the past decade, the Lady Rockets may be back on the right track with only one senior returning and several talented and experienced underclassmen.

"Eventhough we're young, we have six letterwinners back," Tabisz said. "We're coming from a JV team that had a very successful season. Everyone is a year older and we have to develop. They didn't start (last year), but they logged a lot of minutes. These kids are ready."

Tabisz pointed to senior Andrea Ketzel and juniors Beth Mihalik (5-foot-10), Danielle Morrow (5-10) and Danielle Hogue (6-0) as starters and that the fifth starter would come from the group of junior Lacey Parson (5-6), sophomores Robin Craig and Emily Skoczlas, yearlings Abbey Basta and Casey McCaffrey.

Tabisz pointed to the post and rebounding as potential strenghts.

"I think we're going to be okay inside with 'Ketz,' 'Hogie,' and Morrow. We're in really good shape that way," he said. "The way (Beth Mihalik) is rebounding. The more I can get her off the point, the better off I'll be."

Ketzel, during her final season at the Rock, is the Lady Rockets' lone senior and is the team's captain.

"We've got very good leadership from Ketzel," Tabisz said. "Being the only senior, I asked her if she wanted help and appoint a co-captain. She said 'I'll take care of it.' "

With Grove City and Sharon expected to have down years due to graduation losses, Tabisz is looking to possibly sneak into the playoffs as the MCAC's second team, behind Hickory.

"Our section is a little down this year," Tabisz said. "We're going to surprise some people with our record. We'll be a little bit of a surprise this year." -- By Corey Corbin, Allied News sports editor