Women's Basketball Looking Forward to the Season

by Erik Hinrichsen

What do you get when you mix Dean Elmore, Status Quo’s ultimate dance routine, BU basketball players, and a touch of Rhett? Answer: the 2009 Terrier Tip-Off.

It was a night to remember. Terrier Nation packed Case Gymnasium to rally for the both the men’s and women’s basketball teams on a night that featured ridiculous dancing, hardcore drumming, a shootout, and a slam dunk contest. It was any Terriers sports fan’s dream.

“Tonight was a Red Carpet Affair so you know we wanted to go out big and really give the audience a show, just like we’re going to this year,” said junior guard and fan favorite Krystyn McIntyre (’11).

And that is what they did. Coming down the stands from behind curtains on either side of the bleachers, one by one, wearing thick-rimmed dark sunglasses, the 2009-2010 women’s basketball team was introduced to the crowd. Each one of the ladies had a huge smile on her face and with their names being called, moved and grooved to the music blasted by the DJ.

But although they appeared to be having an amazing time, feeding off the electrified energy of the crowd, you know a lot more was going on in the back of their minds. This season, the women’s basketball team is without four of their five starters from last year. Christine Kinneary, Amarachi Umez-Eronini, Kristi Dini, and Jesyka Burks-Wiley, the top four scorers who each started all 33 games for the Terriers during the ‘08-’09 campaign, were lost this past May due to graduation.

“We did lose a lot of great players,” McIntyre ('11) said, “but we also brought in a lot of great freshman and we do have a lot of returning upperclassman who are going to play really well for us this year.”

These freshmen are going to play a key role in the Terriers’ success this season and in the future.

“They fit in really well with the team, and practice wise, they are just refreshing,” said junior forward Kerry Cashman (’11).

The new recruits appear to be fitting in perfectly to begin the season, and overall team chemistry doesn’t seem to have been affected by the loss of four very important seniors.

“We hang out all the time. We are like each other’s best friends,” Cashman said.
Only time will tell if the upperclassman who had smaller roles last year will be able to step up and not only fill the empty shoes, but outgrow them and take the Terrier’s to new heights, with the help of the freshman of course. But no matter what worries they may have, the women’s basketball team is itching to get underway and prove themselves to all the doubters who say they can’t.

“I’m excited for this season,” Cashman said. “We may be young, but we are the underdog again. We are going to surprise a lot of teams.”

Dean Elmore is also looking forward to this season.

“My expectations are a carry over to another great season. I’m excited for women’s basketball this year,” said Elmore.