The Tri-State University women’s basketball team enters the 2002-03 campaign under the direction of first year head coach Jennifer Rushton. Rushton played for the Thunder from 1992-97 and has served as the assistant coach for the past two seasons. “I am very excited to have the opportunity to coach at my alma matter. There is not a better group of young ladies I would rather work with.”

The Thunder return six players from last year’s team that finished 16-13 overall and 9-5 (3^rd place) in the Wolverine Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC), but the biggest challenge will be trying to replace the void left by graduation. Tri-State lost NAIA All-American Crystal Hardesty, Chiara Chambers and Julie Dobbs at the end of last season. The three combined for 40 of the Thunder’s 66 points per game.

However, Coach Rushton returns one of the top point guards in the WHAC in senior Ann Miller. Miller averaged 9 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game while shooting 60 percent from the field and 75 percent from the free-throw line as a junior. She was named to the 2^nd Team All-Conference team and the All-Defensive Team for her efforts. “Ann has worked tremendously hard over the past year to get herself into great physical condition,” said Rushton. “She has continued to improve daily on her overall fundamentals. She has set herself up to have a fine senior season.” 

After playing in only 14 games in 2001-02 because of an injury, senior forward Krista Brockway is back and better than ever. “I am very excited to have a healthy Krista Brockway back into the lineup,” said Rushton. “Krista has worked very hard on her physical condition, and in my opinion she is in the best shape of her career.” Brockway was an All-Conference player and All-Defensive player as a sophomore. She averaged 3.8 points per game and 3.5 rebounds in her abbreviated junior year.

In order for the Thunder to make a run at a WHAC Championship this year, they will have to look to the younger members of the team to step-up their play. Sophomores Nikki Bergman, Brittaney Miller and Amy Senefelder all received significant playing time as freshmen and have worked extremely hard at their games in the off-season. Bergman averaged 5.2 points per game and 3.2 rebounds per game last season from the forward position. “Nikki has improved 100 percent since last season,” said Rushton. “She had worked hard not only on her fundamentals but in the weight room as well. I expect Nikki to have a very good season.”

Guard Brittaney Miller played in 28 games as a freshman and will fight for a starting spot this season. “Brittaney is a tenacious and intense player on defense,” said Rushton. “She has improved her shooting range and ball-handling skills and will be exciting to watch this season.” 

Amy Senefelder saw action in 11 games last season and will also be fighting for a starting spot. She will see time at the two-guard position, as well as the point guard position. “Amy is a gym rat,” said Rushton. “She is constantly working on ways to improve her game. She is a much improved player from a year ago.”  

Also returning to the Thunder this season is junior Meagan McCoul. Meagan saw playing time in 14 games last season as a sophomore. “Meagan is a talented offensive player and will provide depth at the guard position.”

The Thunder have several new faces in the program this season. Junior transfer Kasey Shaw will join the Thunder at the guard position. Shaw comes to Tri-State after playing two seasons at Glen Oaks Community College. “Kasey is a nice player, and I am excited to have her join us this season,” said Rushton. Senior Christine Vargo is also new to the Thunder basketball team this season. Vargo is a starting forward on the soccer team and will join the team following her season.

Coach Rushton has five new freshmen joining the squad this season. Shanna Hoogenboom (Goshen, IN/Goshen High School), Kayla Cheesman (West Point, IN/McCutcheon High School), Christine Ingraham (Horton, MI/Hanover-Horton High School), Courtney Ingraham (Horton, MI/Hanover-Horton High School), and Quinesha Preston (Channelview, TX/Channelview).

Hoogenboom will push for a starting spot at the three-guard position. At 5 feet11 inches, she will be tough to defend from the perimeter. “Shanna is a very nice player,” said Rushton. “She can score from anywhere on the floor and is a good defender as well.”

Cheesman comes to Tri-State from McCutcheon High School in Lafayette, IN. Cheesman is the third Tri-State player to come from McCutcheon; the first two being teammate Ann Miller and 2002 graduate Crystal Hardesty. “Kayla comes from a great high school program,” said Rushton. “She has good fundamental skills and comes from a program that knows how to win.”

Sisters Christine and Courtney Ingraham also join the Thunder this year. “Both Christine and Courtney are extremely hard working young ladies,” said Rushton. “I am pleased to have them here at Tri-State.”

The Thunder have a very tough pre-season schedule, playing several nationally ranked NAIA teams and NCAA Division II teams, such as Grand Valley State University and Northwood University. Tri-State opens the season November 12  at the University of St. Francis. “We have been working extremely hard in pre-season,” said Rushton. “We need to push each other each and every day to become better today than we were yesterday. If we can do that, we will have a very good season.”