In basketball preseason exhibition games, most coaches believe that the outcomes are more important than the final score. Illinois State coach Jenny Yopp buys into that philosophy.
In the wake of a 78-51 loss to Ohio Premier All-Stars, Yopp saw some good things. That day, she saw strength and balance in her post position players led by Zora Skrabalovas 12 points and seven rebounds. The other position is still up for grabs among senior Sharon Blade and sophomores Michelle Harakas and Erin Keeney.
I saw the depth in our post positions, said Yopp, whose team plays the Chicago Challengers at 2 p.m. Sunday at Redbird Arena.
The Birds played the first exhibition without former starters Taren OBrien, Jaci McCormack and Katie Donovan--all serving a one-game suspension for violation of team rules. This week, Yopp is looking forward to seeing the depth in her perimeter positions come through.
Unless things change dramatically in practice later this week, Jaci, Katie and Taren all will start on Sunday, said Yopp. I see great possibilities for our depth on the perimeter with players like senior Steph Reichle contributing.
Reichle, who has been battling knee problems most of her career, is limited in what she can do in practice and Yopp said they will limit her minutes to maximize her effectiveness and allow her to continue to play. Yopp admires Reichles drive to keep playing through physical ailments.
Steph helps us in so many ways, said Yopp. We will protect her by limiting her in practice. We need her experience and her guts on the court. Things arent likely to change for her physically, but she has the passion and still contributes in so many ways.
Reichle is joined off the perimeter bench by junior Stacey White--another former starter--junior point guard Desiree Gutierrez, freshman Sara Stevenson and junior Beth Huston.
Our depth is definitely a strength, said Yopp, whose team opens the regular season Nov. 23 at Western Michigan and plays its first home game at 7 p.m. Nov. 25 vs. Butler at Redbird Arena.
