'99-00 SCHEDULE

Dec. 3 -- Hickory       6 -- West Middlesex       7 -- at Reynolds       9 -- at Saegertown       13 -- Linesville       16 -- Conneaut Lake       20 -- at Maplewood       28 -- at Commodore Perry Tournament       29 -- at Commodore Perry Tournament Jan. 3 -- at Cambridge Springs       6 -- Lakeview       10 -- Cochranton       13 -- at Union City       17 -- Conneaut Valley       20 -- Saegertown       22 -- at West Middlesex       24 -- at Linesuille       27 -- at Conneaut Lake       31 -- Maplewood Feb. 3. -- Cambridge       7 -- at Lakeview       10 -- at Cochranton       14 -- Union City       17 -- at Conneaut Valley

By The Herald Sports Staff

It's a new season for head coach Deb Erford and the Lady Muskies. Thankfully, after last years 1-17 record.

It's a new team also, after gaining some much-needed experience. The team is returning seven lettermen, five of whom are seniors.

"We had no varsity experience last year," Erford said. "I only had two returning varsity players last year (Robin Hunter and Vangie Rice). So, basically, it was let's get them playing varsity, let's get them some playing time. And this year I'm looking, hopefully, for the large improvements to come."

Also, the squad has a new outlook.

"The team and I talked about it," said Erford. "And our goal is to go .500 this year and to be competitive in the conference, which unfortunately we were not able to do last year.

"This year they seem to work together a lot better," Erford said of her team. "They're so comfortable now that they know what the other person is going to do without having to just go exactly where you're supposed to go on offense. The communication seems to be a lot better. Our team is a lot more jelled than it was last year."

This is Erford's second season at the helm, however, she was known as coach Owen last year. She got married this spring. Assisting Erford again will be Colleen Shine.

"I think the biggest thing we have to overcome mentally is believing we can beat these teams and that's something I worked on last year," Erford said. "I've been continuing to work on it. I tell them that 80 percent of the game is in their head and that they have to believe that they can beat these schools."

That's easier said than done. The powerful French Creek Valley Conference is one of the toughest around, especially for the smaller schools.

"Definitely," agreed Erford, "Saegertown, Conneaut Lake, Linesville, Conneaut Valley, Lakeview, Maplewood, they are all pretty tough. Definitely."

Heading up the cause for the Lady Muskies will be an impressive line of seniors starting with Rachel Hull, a 5-10 forward who led Jamestown with 95 points. Heather Klink returns to the squad as its third-highest scorer with 84. Her sister Hannah is also back at forward. Both Klinks come in at 5-7.

Rounding out Jamestown's seniors are Lissie Erdice, a 5-7 guard, and Melissa McLure, who is a 5-4 point guard.

Jessica Finnimore and Crystal McClimans are a pair of returning junior letterwinners who saw limited playing time last year, but are expected to put forth big contributions.

Also, sophomore Danielle McElhaney, a 5-9 guard, is looking to lend a hand.

"I think a lot of them are ready to step up and be big scorers," said Erford. "In our scrimmages, they all have been equal contributors as far as scoring."

However, the team still suffers from the pains of a tough pre-season.

"We've had a couple of injuries," said Erford, citing McClimans who is out with a back injury. "We'll have a couple girls playing jayvee and varsity for six quarters in the first couple of games. I'm sure they'll be tired, but I know they're in shape and ready to do that.

"We're building. There are still a lot of things to work on but it's coming together."