June 18, 2002

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The Purdue women's basketball team has plenty to look forward to heading into the 2002-03 campaign. Despite losing two senior starters, the Boilermakers welcome back three members of the starting five and four other letterwinners, not to mention adding a heralded freshman class.

Gone are Kelly Komara, the 2002 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, and Laura Meadows. The two combined to average 22.4 points, 11.3 rebounds, 7.6 assists and 5.8 steals per game.

Returning, however, are senior Mary Jo Noon and juniors Erika Valek and Shereka Wright. Noon averaged 13.1 points and 5.4 rebounds per game, while Valek averaged 7.6 points and 2.7 assists per game. Wright, an All-America candidate, is coming off a super sophomore season in which she averaged 19.0 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.3 blocked shots and 1.6 steals per game. The first team All-Big Ten selection will be counted on for scoring again this season, while she, Noon and Valek also will be depended upon for leadership duties.

Joining that trio will be juniors Lindsey Hicks and Beth Jones, along with sophomores Hannah Anderson and Emily Heikes. After serving as reserves the last two years, Hicks and Jones will have a shot to make bigger contributions this season. In anticipation of larger roles, both traveled abroad this summer to work on their games. Hicks was a member of the Big Ten Women's Basketball Foreign Tour Team that played in Holland and Belgium, while Jones traveled Europe with Athletes In Action. Heikes averaged 14.8 minutes off the bench last year and figures to see more court time this season. Anderson played in six games, scoring five points.

The seven returning letterwinners won't be able to lead Purdue to its third straight Big Ten championship by themselves. Fortunately the Boilermakers' freshman class should step right in and offer assistance. Guards Ashley Mays, Missy Taylor and Sharika Webb will bolster Purdue's backcourt, while forwards Carol Duncan and Sabrina Keys will fortify the frontcourt. Brianna Howard, another guard, is expected to earn a spot on the roster as a walk on.

Purdue's schedule will not be complete until August, but a number of games are penciled into the calendar already. The Boilermakers' non-conference slate features opponents such as Vanderbilt, Notre Dame, Boston College, Texas Christian, UC Santa Barbara and Tulane. After two exhibition games in Mackey Arena, the season is expected to get under way on Nov. 24 when Purdue hosts Pacific in West Lafayette, Ind.

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