Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, March 12, 1992 TAG: 9203120334
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOHN SMALLWOOD SPORTSWRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
But every team, even one that prides itself on its selflessness, needs leaders. So, when pressed on the issue, Dunagan has an easy time coming up with her team's leaders.
"At this point, all of our seniors have done a tremendous job," Dunagan said, "but I think the people who the team really look to are" senior co-captains Jenn Jones and Donna Cogar.
"Jenn is our emotional leader, and Donna has really developed into our go-to-girl. Everybody rallies around those two."
Kristie Jones, Amy Puyear, Marce Fackler, Cogar and Jenn Jones compose the most successful senior class in Roanoke College women's basketball history. The five seniors have a four-year record of 97-17 (.851).
The Maroons have a chance to add to that victory total when they travel to the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire for the Great Lakes Sectionals of the NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Tournament, starting Friday.
Roanoke, 24-3 and ranked 11th nationally, will play No. 9 Alma (Mich.) College (20-3) in a sectional semifinal at 6 p.m. at Zorn Arena. In the other game, UW-Eau Claire (22-4) will play Christopher Newport (22-5) at 8 p.m. The winners will play for the sectional title and a berth in the Final Four at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday.
"I've got a good feeling about this," said Jenn Jones, a 5-foot-10 forward-center of Berryville. "I've got that tingle feeling in my stomach. Not from fear, but from excitement as the game gets closer."
Last season, when Roanoke played host to the sectionals, the Maroons made it to the sectional final before losing to Washington (Mo.). This year, they beat the odds to earn a return trip.
"We're one game away from where we were last year," said Cogar, a 5-9 forward from Stuarts Draft, "which is a lot further than a lot of people thought we'd go. I think we're just looking to have a lot of fun and see what happens."
While both are intense on the court, Cogar and Jones are opposites off it.
Jones is vocal and won't hesitate to show her emotions.
"I just want us to keep playing together as a team," Jones said. "The biggest thing is to have fun out there. I'm not going to let us get down or anything like that."
Cogar prefers the background.
"I'm just not the hoop-and-holler type," said Cogar, whose 3-pointer at the buzzer gave Roanoke a 73-71 victory over Maryville (Tenn.) in the regionals. "Jenn is definitely our vocal leader. We complement each other as captains. I think it's good for a team to have one captain who is vocal and one who is quiet."
This season, Cogar is averaging 13.3 points and 6.9 rebounds. A second-team All-Old Dominion Athletic Conference selection in 1990-91, she was voted ODAC Player of the Year this season.
"Donna has come a long way since she first got here," Dunagan said. "Obviously, she has the statistics, but she also does so many other things."
Jones was first-team All-ODAC as a junior but second-team this year. However, her contributions this season may have been more valuable.
With the graduation of All-America center Karen Jenkins and knee problems for Fackler, Jones was moved from forward to center. Although undersized, her aggressiveness has kept the Maroons from being overmatched in the pivot.
"Jenn is at a disadvantage because she should be playing on the wing," Dunagan said. "But we needed somebody inside, and I wanted my best players on the court. [Playing center] has taken away from her game . . . and I think it bothered her at first, but she hasn't complained a bit. She's done the things necessary to get us here."
With intersectional play in Division III limited during the regular season, tournament opponents rarely know much about each other after the regional round.
"Scouting reports are all on paper," Alma coach Charles Goffnett said. "It's hard to get a feel for a team from them. We believe Roanoke is a fine team because they were in the final eight last year and have everybody back. But when a tournament begins, you just focus on what you do best."
Alma last made the tournament in the 1988-89 season. Only one player - senior reserve Amy Elbers - was on that team. The Maroons' top eight players each have played in at least four playoff games.
\ NCAA DIVISION III WOMEN'S TOURNAMENT GREAT LAKES SECTIONAL
Roanoke College: Location: Salem. Nickname: Maroons. Coach: Susan Dunagan. 1991-92: 24-3, ranked 11th nationally. Conference: Old Dominion Athletic Conference. Tournament history: third consecutive appearance. Last time lost 67-51 to Washington (Mo.) in 1990-91 national quarterfinals. Last game: beat Maryville (Tenn.) 73-71. Top players: Donna Cogar, 5 feet 9, F, 13.3 points per game, 6.9 rebounds per game, ODAC player of the year; Jenn Jones, 5-10, F, 8.1 ppg, 6.5 rpg; Kay Caldwell, 5-6, g, 11.2 ppg; Kristie Jones, 5-8, f, 7.9 ppg.
Alma College: Location: Alma, Mich. Nickname: Scots. Coach: Charles Goffnett. 1991-92: 20-3, ranked ninth. Conference: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association. Tournament history: fifth appearance. Last time lost to Wisconsin -Eau Claire in 1988-89 Great Lakes sectional. Last game: beat Adrian (Mich.) 92-77. Top players: Katie Mans, 6-0, f, 16.0 ppg., 6.5 rpg.; Lauri LaBeau, 5-6, g, 10.9 ppg.; Colleen Wruble, 5-8, g, 10.0 ppg., 7.0 rpg., 97 assists; Kelly Jaster, 5-10, f, 9.1 ppg.
Wisconsin Eau Claire: Location: Eau Claire, Wis. Nickname: Bluegolds. Coach:Lisa Stone. 1991-92: 22-4, ranked seventh. Conference: Wisconsin Women's Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. Tournament history: third appearance. Lasttime lost to Centre (Ky.) in 1989 national quarterfinals. Last game: beat Wisconsin-Oshkosh 83-81. Top players: Diane Ring, 5-9, g, 16.6 ppg; Dawn Rattray, 5-8, g, 14.3 ppg, 6.7 rpg; Chris Boos, 6-1, c, 11.3 ppg, 8.5 rpg; Jody Krueger, 5-5, g, 7.5 assists per game.
Christopher Newport: Location: Newport News. Nickname: Lady Captains. Coach: Cathy Parson. 1991-92: 22-5, unranked. Conference: Dixie Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. Tournament history: third appearance. Last time lost to Rust (Miss.) in 1986 South Regional. Last game: beat Marymount 73-71. Top players: Karen Barefoot, 5-6, g, 19.5 ppg, 8.6 apg leads Division III; Tia Johnson, 6-1, c, 15.2 ppg, 13.1 rpg; Kinsey Pritchett, 5-10, g, 14.2 ppg, Liisa Barnes, 5-6, f, 13.9 ppg.
by CNB