2007-08 SEASON PREVIEW
With the return of 13 letter-winners and four starters, it’s safe to assume that the Clark University women’s basketball team will look for leadership and experience to play a key role in the 2007-08 campaign.
“We went from being a young team to a pretty experienced squad in one year,” said long-time head coach Pat Glispin. “A few of our key players got thrown into the fire of the game last year, but now they are more prepared and understand what’s expected this time around.”
After posting a subpar 12-13 overall mark last year, the Cougars staged a late season comeback to win seven of its last nine New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) games for an 8-5/5th place conference finish and a 12th straight trip to the NEWMAC tournament. Although a last second shot put an end to Clark’s year, Coach Glispin knows that one season does not make or break a team.
“We play a very tough non-conference schedule, so we took some lumps early on,” Glispin said. “But, we played our best basketball late in the year and came within a few seconds of advancing in the tournament. We just have to build off of that.”
While the loss by the graduation of Ashley Auclair ‘07 hurts, Clark will develop the interior game around sophomore standout Jillian Camilleri (10.7 ppg). After leading the team in rebounding (8.4 rpg) last year, Camilleri will take over as the point player in the paint this season.
Along with Camilleri, the Cougars appear to have a solid front-line boosted by the return of junior tri-captain Sarah Roderigue (14.5 ppg), the team’s top returning scorer, and senior Katelyn Petty. Roderigue, who blossomed into a NEWMAC second-team all-star last season, gives Clark an inside-outside game, and Petty, a shot-blocker with size and versatility, will be expected to have a breakout year. Both players will be joined by sophomores Shinkwa James, Ruth Briggs and Blaize Denfield, also counted on to make an impact. While James’ low-post scoring ability will figure prominently in Coach Glispin’s plans, Briggs and Denfield, both excellent defenders, will add depth to the forward rotation.
Junior tri-captain Sara Hagstrom will run the offense for a second season from the point guard position, while graduate student Jess Lamothe, another tri-captain, will get the starting assignment at the off-guard spot. Coach Glispin will look to several other players to log minutes in the backcourt including senior Kristin Healy, who can handle both guard positions, and three-point specialists Nicole LeVecue and Katie McCloskey. Junior Catherine Hart and sophomore Emily Skelton will also contribute.
Coach Glispin also looks to blend the talent of several newcomers with the veteran roster. Ariel Feinstein, a freshman from Naples, Fla., will give the Cougars an offensive spark off the bench, while Hannah Lacaire, a transfer from Eastern Connecticut State University, is noted for her defensive intensity and Montclair, N.J., product Chloe Carden brings physical toughness to the line-up.
“In addition to Jess Lamothe, who has significantly more experience than others, we’ve got two juniors (Sarah Roderigue and Sara Hagstrom) and a sophomore (Jillian Camilleri) in really major roles this year,” Glispin said. “Those four have got to be the backbone of the team.”
Clark’s victories won’t come easy this year. On top of their already imposing schedule, the Cougars added to its strength with games against pre-season nationally ranked teams Bowdoin College and the University of Southern Maine. “If we are going to continue to grow, we have got to be challenged,” said the veteran coach. “We have worked extremely hard in the pre-season, so I’m looking forward to seeing how it all comes together on the court.”
BRODARD JOINS CLARK UNIVERSITY WOMEN’S BASKETBALL STAFF
Sharon (Price) Brodard will join the Clark University women’s basketball coaching staff as an assistant coach for the 2007-08 season.
“As a native of Worcester, I grew up watching Clark basketball,” said Brodard. “Coach (Pat) Glispin has done a tremendous job with the program, and I just hope I can help out in some way. It’s a great honor.”
Brodard joins the staff after working as Associate Head Coach for the Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School boy’s varsity team for the past four years (2003-07). Prior to Assabet, she also held stints at St. Mary’s High School, where she was the head girl’s varsity basketball coach from 1999-2002 and assistant from 1995-1997.
A former guard, Brodard played varsity basketball at South High School and Doherty Memorial High School, where she helped the Highlanders advance to the District Finals her senior year. The two-time Telegram and Gazette All-Star and All-Central Massachusetts selection then took her basketball talents to Springfield College (1979-82). A three-year starter at SC, she set new marks for career-assists (461) and single-season assists (198).
“Sharon will be a terrific addition to our staff,” said Coach Glispin, who is entering her 24th season at the helm. “She has a tremendous basketball background, both as a player and a coach. I’m thrilled to have the chance to work with her.”
Brodard earned a bachelor’s in education from Worcester State College and a master’s degree from Cambridge College.
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Women's Basketball Office
Pat Glispin, Head Coach, 508-793-7628
Email: pglispin@clarku.edu
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2007-08 SEASON PREVIEW 
