Injuries strike Cobras

Injuries are a part of life for every team.

Last season, the Coker women’s basketball team saw more than its fair share. Senior guard Tara Nelson’s collegiate career ended due to injury, and several other players suffered from nagging injuries.

That, along with a tough schedule, didn’t do much to help the Cobras, who went 8-21.

Unfortunately for Coker, this season is starting just like last season. Shooting guard Agne Stanciaukaite tore her anterior cruciate ligament in September and is done for the season.

Sophomore guard Madison Bycroft and freshman forward Carletta Taylor will be out until at least January with nagging injuries. But coach Carol Meegan said her team can play well with what they have until then.

“We’ll still be all right playing with 11,” said Meegan, who is 13-43 in two years as Coker’s coach. “Hopefully we’ll be up to 13 by the time the holidays end.”

The Cobras’ schedule isn’t easy in the early going.

Tonight, Coker faces Concord University at the Lady Lion Classic in Athens, W.Va. Coker opens its home schedule with Anderson on Monday, then faces Peach Belt Conference member USC Aiken before facing Newberry on Nov. 27.

The Cobras start Conference Carolinas action Nov. 29, when they host Barton.

Despite the challenges, Meegan has no regrets about the schedule.

“I don’t want us to play easy teams, because it doesn’t prepare you in the long run,” she said. “The players get sloppy, they’re unfocused and they don’t work as hard.

“That’s why we have such a tough schedule.”

The Cobras got scoring and rebounding from four sources last season. Guard India Elliott led Coker with a 10.9 points per game. Sophomores Henna Koponen and Lotta Aaltonen averaged 9.9 and 9.8 points per game, respectively.

Senior Temeca Spain averaged more than six points per game off the bench and led Coker in rebounding with almost six boards per game.

Elliot has since graduated, so Meegan is looking to Koponen, Aaltonen, Spain and Rebecca Kolbeck to provide scoring and leadership.

“We’re going to count on them again this year as we did last year,” Meegan said. “We’re also going to use Rebecca Kolbeck in the post this season because we need more help inside.”

Meegan also plans to use her six signees and might start several of them. Coker is moving to an up-tempo offense, and the extra bodies off the bench will help.

“We want to push the ball with control this year, so we’re working hard on our conditioning,” Meegan said. “We’re going to have to use a lot of people off the bench.”

Guards Megan Thomas and Joanna Tyndall might see time at the point. When Taylor returns, she and center Maija Castren could give the Cobras a strong inside prescence.

“Each year you try to improve your respective program,” Meegan said. “I’m not afraid to start freshmen. We’re still young, and we’re still gelling.”



Coach: Carol Meegan (3rd season; 38-140 in 7 years)

Conference: Carolinas

Last year’s record: 8-21, 4-16

Key players lost: G India Elliot (10.9 ppg, 36.4 percent 3-pt shooting); G-F Tara Nelson (6.6 ppg)

Top returnees: F Henna

Koponen (9.9 ppg, 4.7 rpg); G Lotta Aaltonen (9.8 ppg, 4.4 rpg); C Temeca Spain (6.3 ppg, 5.9 rpg); F Rebecca

Kolbeck (6.8 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 30.6 3-pt shooting)

Impact newcomers: F Carletta Taylor (5-11); G Joanna

Tyndall (5-1); C Maija Castren (6-1); Kenya McCarthan (5-9);

G Megan Thomas (5-2);