New Faces Bring Promise for Women’s Basketball

DETROIT, Mich.-Who’s ready for some basketball? The Lady Mustangs are one day away from tip-off 2009. A 1pm Saturday road tilt at NAIA foe University of Michigan-Dearborn is first on the agenda for the Lady Mustangs this season. Here is a look at their upcoming season.

2009-10 Roster

2009-10 Schedule

Despite a 7-17 record last season, there is a buzz is in the air surrounding the 2009-10 women’s basketball team. Many new faces join a cast of Mustangs that gained valuable experience last season on a depleted squad. Junior transfer Santrea Bush (Muskegon Community College) is one of many additions made to this year’s team. The forward brings a wealth of collegiate experience to the mix and will prove to be a tough matchup for any opponent.

Bush is joined by fellow transfers Lapina Roe and Keara Wilson (Labette Community College). Both Roe and Wilson have impressed the coaching staff with their abilities during preseason drills.

A strong freshman class starts with broadening your recruiting base. Coach Hitchcock did just that as he reached out to west-siders Arielle Edwards and Dominique Gordon (Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills) for part of the Mustangs strong recruiting class. Edwards and Gordon come to Marygrove after competing in one of the better women’s basketball divisions in the state.

Keara Marks (Reniassance High) is the recruit with the most championship experience. Her Reniassance squad consistently went deep into the MHSAA playoffs due to Marks leadership and ability. Another strong piece to the puzzle is Warren Fitzgerald’s Mariah De’Nooijer. The versitale gaurd/forward makes the college leap to Marygrove after a successful high school career.

Rounding out the crew is former Mustang Maria Martin. Martin returns to Coach Hitchcock’s squad after a brief hiatus from the program. She will be a strong asset for the Lady Mustangs if they want to make a push towards a conference and national crown in 2009-10.

The Lady Mustangs return home after their season-opener at UM-Dearborn after years of starting the season on a lengthy road trip. The home-opener will be held on November 4th at 7pm when the Cardinals of Andrews University come to town. The game will begin a three-game for the youthful Mustangs squad. GO MUSTANGS!