FIGHTING TIGER WOMEN’S BASKETBALL RANKED 12TH IN NJCAA PRESEASON DIVISION III NATIONAL POLL

The National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) announced today that the SUNY Cobleskill women’s basketball program has been ranked twelfth in the 2007 NJCAA Division III Pre-Season National Poll. The Fighting Tigers finished the 2006-07 campaign with a 22-6 overall record and recorded their third post season appearance under the direction of Fighting Tiger Head Coach Josh Suttles.

“With only one returning player I think this shows the strength of this year’s recruiting class as well as how our program is now perceived at a national level,” said Suttles. “We have a nervous energy around us as opening day creeps up and with some many gifted new players; I feel that, we definitely have enough talent to compete. But ultimately team chemistry will determine how far we go this year.”

Tops among the returnees for the Orange & Black this season is senior 5’11” forward April Ackermann, South Huntington, NY, Sullivan West High School, an All-Mountain Valley Conference selection after averaging 9.9 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.7 steals per game connecting on 107 of 232 shots for a field goal percentage of 46.1%.

The Fighting Tigers will be led this season by an impressive recruiting class which features 6’3” freshman center/forward Shelly Pierson  from Watervliet High School who  averaged 12.5 points, 13.1 rebounds, 1.0 assist and 2.7 blocked shots per game in 25 appearances last season while shooting a very impressive 54.0% from the field on her way to being named: New York State Sportswriter’s Association Class B First Team honoree, The Section II Class B Girls Tournament Most Valuable Player, The Colonial Council Most Valuable Player, The Troy Record Player-of-the-Year, Times Union Small-School Player-of-the-Year.      

Joining Pierson from Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk High School will be Third Team All-Colonial Council honoree 5’10” swing-player Jessica Byerwalters who averaged 12.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.0 steals per game in 20 appearances and a pair of Gloversville High School standouts 6’0” tall Breanne Sauve who played inside during her prep career and should see time at both the center and power forward spots for the Fighting Tigers after averaging 12.7 points, 10.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game and 5’6” Laura Tisinger who is a combination guard who will be looked upon to fill the void created by the graduations of five senior perimeter players. During her senior campaign Tisinger averaged 9.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 3.0 steals per game.
Cobleskill will also receive help this year from former Oneonta High School girl’s basketball standout forward Marie O’Malley a transfer to the college who will join the program by the second semester pending NJCAA transfer clearance. O’Malley had originally attended NJCAA Division I member institution St. Petersburg College in St. Petersburg, FL but did not play due to medical concerns. While playing for the Yellow Jackets during the 2005-06 campaign, O’Malley averaged 12.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 4.0 blocked shots and 3.0 steals per game earning 2nd Team All-Southern Tier Athletic Conference and 2nd Team All-Oneonta Daily Star honorees on the season.

The Fighting Tigers will open the season on Friday November 2nd when they travel to Plattsburgh, NY to meet the Cougars of Clinton Community College with tip-off at 7:00 PM.