2005 Record: 3^rd in the MIAA. 17-9 Overall, 9-7 league. Projected 4^th in Preseason Polls.

Jessica Babcock (Sr., Ionia): 10.7 pts., 4.2 rbs.

Megan Garvey (Jr., Nashville): 7.7 pts., 3.0 rbs.

Katie Elder (Jr., Swartz Creek): 7.4 pts., 4.9 rbs.

Outlook: The Albion College women’s basketball team looks to start their 2006 campaign off with a big bang as they open up on Nov. 17 against Defiance at home.

"We have a lot of kids coming back," said coach Doreen Carden. "Our expectations are the same as usual. We are going to work hard on defense, rebounding and taking care of the ball. We expect to get better as the season goes along and take each opponent at a time."

Last season, the Briton defense held their opponents to 59 points a game. The defense seemed to tire as the game went on, as their opponents’ average rose in the second half and overtime.

The MIAA, which is a difficult conference year in and year out, should be the same this year especially with Hope defending the Division Three National Championship.

"Hope and Calvin are the top two teams in our conference, and every team has improved," Carden said. "I really feel that our conference is one of the toughest in the nation."

The Britons will have to rely on Jessica Babcock, Iona senior, along with Megan Garvey, Nashville junior; and Katie Elder, Swartz Creek junior, to fill the scoring void left behind by Jamie Fornetti, ’06, and Kelly Glynn, ’06, both of whom were lost due to graduation.

"Jessica and Megan are definitely going to be our key kids who we expect to score a lot from the perimeter, while Katie Elder will be our go to post player," Carden said.

The Britons will feature two first-year guards this season: Kaitlyn Thomas, Fowlerville first-year, and Brittney Kemperton, Grand Rapids first-year.

"Kait and Brittney, since we are inexperienced at those positions, will step in and play for us right away," Carden said. "Kait will earn time at the point [guard], while Brittney will help take the pressure off Megan and Jessica at the off guard since she can flat out shoot it."

Hopefully the learning curve isn’t too much to overcome, as the Britons look to make a run at the conference Championship.