Senior Ashley Hutton led the Pilgrims in scoring last season averaging 13.7 ppg.
Women's Basketball looking to get back in playoff hunt
New England College women’s basketball finished their 2007-08 season 8-17 overall and 4-9 in The Commonwealth Coast Conference (TCCC.) The Pilgrims did win two of their final four games of the season, including a 30 point win over TCCC opponent Eastern Nazarene College. This season the Pilgrims will have a veteran squad looking to end their three year absence from the TCCC Playoffs.
The Pilgrims only lost two players last season to graduation and have a healthy crop of seniors ready to make an immediate impact. Returning for the Pilgrims will be senior guard Ashley Hutton. Hutton (Lebanon, N.H.) led the Pilgrims in scoring last season averaging 13.7 points per game and helped out on the boards finishing fourth on the team in rebounding averaging four rebounds per game. Also returning at guard for the Pilgrims will be senior Katie Plankey. Plankey (Columbia, Conn.) started all 25 games for the Pilgrims and finished the season second on the team in scoring averaging 8.4 points per game and finished tied for the lead in assists with 75 on the season. Rounding out the guard position will be senior LaShawnda Wilson. Wilson (Burlington, Vt.) played in all 25 games last season for NEC and finished the season averaging 8.2 points per game. Wilson also finished the season leading the Pilgrims in rebounding averaging 6.7 boards per game and was tied for first on the team in total assists with 75.
At forward the Pilgrims will return senior junior Kendall Wolfson. Wolfson (Lyndeborough, N.H.) played in all 25 games for the Pilgrims last season contributing 3.1 points per game and grabbing 2.3 rebounds per game. Also at the forward position will be juniors Kerry Hughes (Wallkill, N.Y.) and Laurie Silva (Dorchester, Mass.) Both Hughes and Silva played in the 2006-07 season, Hughes played in seven games for the Pilgrims that season and Silva saw time in 16 games her first season.
Head coach Erica Ledy will look to numerous incoming first-year players to make an immediate impact. Seeing time in the front court for the Pilgrims will be Chelsea Lynch (Shoreham, N.Y.) and Kelsie Moses (Queensbury, N.Y.) both will look to improve the Pilgrim defense and be a force on the boards. Seeing time at the point guard position will be Tiffany Boilard (Raymond, N.H.) and making a contribution as a shooting guard will be Hallie Price (South Beach, Ore.)
The Pilgrims will open their season on the road as they travel to play in the Regis College Classic Tournament Saturday, November 15. The Pilgrims open their home schedule on Wednesday, Nov. 19 when they host non-conference opponent Castleton State College at 5:30 p.m.
