Seniors lead up-tempo ‘D’
Finlandia Basketball Preview 2009-10By Brandon Veale - DMG Sports Editor
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Following the Lions
Finlandia Women's Basketball Home Schedule
Nov. 17Northland5:30 p.m.
Dec. 1Northern Michigan5:30 p.m.
Dec. 29Minn.-Crookston5:30 p.m.
Jan. 2Bethany Lutheran4 p.m.
Jan. 3Bethany Lutheran1 p.m.
Jan. 14Mount Mary5:30 p.m.
Jan. 16Silver Lake1 p.m.
Jan. 26Northland5:30 p.m.
Feb. 9Northland International5:30 p.m.
Feb. 16St. Norbert5:30 p.m.
Feb. 18Gogebic CC5:30 p.m.
HANCOCK - The Finlandia women's basketball team will be pushing hard this year with hopes of seizing control of opponents on a nightly basis.
"We're looking to play basically a full 90-foot press," Lions coach Curtis Wittenberg said. "We're looking to go after the ball and have an up-tempo style of play."
Wittenberg said this effort will be backed up by three returning senior starters: Jillian Dolkey, Jodi Riutta and Ally Tincknell. Wittenberg said his team will rely on them to create opportunities for the team by using their strengths.
"Jillian is a real solid defender, she is an outside threat for us and we're looking for her step up that way," Wittenberg said.
Riutta, from Houghton, will be looked at to use speed that Wittenberg said might not be matched on the team.
"She is probably the most athletic person on the team," he said. "She brings a lot of speed."
Tincknell brings a whole different aspect to the game, an aspect that was highly successful last season.
"Ally is a real tough post player, she's been close to averaging a double double the last couple of years," Wittenberg said.
Joining the team are local high school grads Hailey Gervais (Hancock) and Erin Connor (L'Anse).
"Both should see some minutes and help us out this year," Wittenberg said.
Wittenberg is entering his third year with the team, and after winning just eight games in 2007-08, the total climbed to nine last season. He expects that number to rise again.
"Based on what I've seen this year, we should see an improvement," he said. "We should be above .500."
The first test will be tonight at 5:30 p.m. against Northland at the Paavo Nurmi Center in Hancock.
"They have some solid returners including Lindsey Hamm of Ontonagon, one of their key players who has been for a couple of years," Wittenberg said. "But they have a new head coach that could change the style quite a bit, so we'll have to see (tonight)."
Michael H. Babcock can be reached at mbabcock@mininggazette. com.
