New day for Tech women’s basketball

By Pat Ryan, of The Montana Standard - 10/11/2007

A new era begins in Montana Tech basketball Thursday at the Great Western HPER complex, as a new coach takes her team out for the first basketball game in a newly remodeled gym.

Kerie DePell takes over the reins of the Oredigger women’s basketball team, as Tech hosts the University of Lethbridge in a 6 p.m. tipoff on the new Kelvin Sampson Court.

The ’Diggers begin competition early in a season that has opened earlier and earlier every year.

“We had to schedule Lethbridge when we did to get some home games,” DePell said. “The Canadian teams start their conference season in November, so we had to get them down here now.” DePell was an assistant coach under Brian Holsinger, who took a position at Washington State. The former Seattle Pacific University standout played professional basketball in Europe before joining the Oredigger staff two years ago.

“This is exactly what I’ve always wanted to do,” DePell said. “It’s a lot of responsibility, but it’s a dream job.” DePell will have plenty of returning talent available when she tries to turn the team around from its 16-14 overall record and 4-10 conference mark last season.

“Last year we had a very young, inexperienced team, and our record showed it,” DePell said. “This year our expectations have risen dramatically, and I think that our experience, coupled with several new additions to the team, will help us achieve our lofty goals.” Tech will look to returning all-conference junior twins Rebecca and Angela Gimeno at the guard positions, while Jessie DePell is See TECH, Page B6 back from a knee injury to play wing. Adrea Thomas will start at forward and Natalie Shaw will get the nod at center. The Orediggers also expect plenty of production off the bench from 6-foot-2 sophomore Jenessa Todd.

Joining the Oredigger coaching staff this season is Tina Donahue, a former Western Washington University standout who played professionally in Australia.

“We were really lucky to get Tina,” DePell said. “I think it’s because she’s just starting out, but she’s doing a great job. It really helps to have a coach who has played at the post position. I can see it’s already made a big difference with our front court.” The Orediggers downed Lethbridge last year, but Tech still expects a tough battle.

“They are a well-coached, talented team that is annually in the top tier of their conference,” DePell said. “They have several great guards who we will have to key on.

“I’m very excited to get our girls out on the court, playing as a team, against another school. It’s amazing what three and a half weeks will do to a team when you have to play against each other every day. We need to turn our team’s strengths and talents against somebody else. It should be fun to watch.” Admission is free for Thursday’s game.