Lady Tigers looking forward to season

Amherst Central girls hoops coach JoAnna Fildes and her team is extremely excited for the 2006-07 season.

"They always play and practice with heart and determination," Fildes said. "The seniors all have leadership qualities that seem to mix well with the underclassmen. The team has been working hard since the fall at putting everything together. Their competitive edge will always be present throughout the season."

The Lady Tigers return starters Jodi Battaglia, Mollie Lang, both captains, and Shannon McGuire from last year's 8-13 squad. Battaglia, Lang and McGuire are seniors and counting this season, have a combined nine years of varsity experience.

Battaglia, last year's team MVP, moves from point guard to power forward. Battaglia, who has played varsity since freshman year, is a returning ECIC Division II First Team all-star.

"We are going to try and push her under the basket more," said Fildes. "Last year she led us in scoring (11.5), assists (5) and steals. She is a co-captain this year and is always a dominant presence on the court."

Lang is starting her third year on varsity.

"She always adds a spark to our team," said Fildes. "She was second on the team in steals and continues to play great defense. She most likely will play guard and likes to drive to the basket."

McGuire is one of the team's best shooters, said Fildes.

"Shannon has great poise about her," said Fildes. "She is a pure shooter who has stepped up big for us in the past. She has made many improvements to her all-around game. We look forward to her making some big baskets for us."

Other returning players are seniors Stephine Woods, Liz Reid, Alexis Scime, and junior Daisy Timlin.

Woods, heading into her third year on varsity, is the team's defensive specialist, said Fildes.

"Her senior leadership and willing to do anything to help the team is always present," said Fildes. "She has been called on for two years to mark the opponent's most dangerous guard and has caused a lot of turnovers. Her speed and court sense is a positive."

Reid, a forward, has really started to mix it up under the boards, said Fildes.

"She has a great turn around jump shot and a keen sense of blocking shots without fouling opponents," she added. "That is what we will be looking forward to her using."

Fildes said Scime, a guard, is one of the team's scrappiest kids on the court.

"She has a knack for stealing the ball or being under the basket and getting easy layups in the attack," Fildes said. "She adds a nice shooting touch to our game and is able to distribute the ball."

Timlin has really worked on her dribbling and distribution on the court, said Fildes.

"She has started to shoot with confidence and drive to the basket," she added. "All-around, she's a phenomenal athlete."

Juniors Jenny Newhouse, Amy Simon, Elana Korn and Casey Martin are new to the team.

Newhouse is a solid forward under the basket, Fildes said.

"She was a dominate force during her JV years at Amherst and are looking forward to her continued shoot blocking success," Fildes said.

Simon is one of the team's most athletic players, Fildes said.

"She has a great sense of the court and is a defensive standout," said Fildes. "We look forward to her stepping into the starting lineup."

Korn, a guard/forward, is an all-around player and has continued to improve from JV until now, said Fildes.

Martin is a pure shooter, and an excellent defensive player with an athletic mind to distribute the ball, said Fildes.

Fildes said her team is one of the most athletic she has coached in her tenure at Amherst.
          Amherst Central 2006-07 Schedule
11-30 at W.S. West Tourn. vs. W.S. East or Orchard
Park ..................... 5 p.m. consolation, 7 p.m. finals
12-1 at East ................................................. 7:30 p.m.
12-5 Iroquois................................................ 7:30 p.m.
12-11 Springville ......................................... 7:30 p.m.
12-15 South.................................................. 7:30 p.m.
12-20 W.S. East ........................................... 7:30 p.m.
12-27 at Mt. St. Mary's Tourn. ............................. TBA
12-28 at Mt. St. Mary's Tourn. ............................. TBA
1-10 at Lake Shore ..................................... 7:30 p.m.
1-12 East ...................................................... 7:30 p.m.
1-18 at Iroquois........................................... 6:30 p.m.
1-23 Hamburg................................................... 6 p.m.
1-30 at Springville....................................... 7:30 p.m.
2-1 at South ................................................. 7:30 p.m.
2-6 at W.S. East........................................... 7:30 p.m.
2-9 at Hamburg ........................................... 7:30 p.m.
2-15 Lake Shore .......................................... 7:30 p.m.