Scouting the 2009-10 Prairie State College women's basketball team

Who's back: Hammond grad Nancy Thompson and Jaleesha Conner are the two returning starters for the Cougars. Neither one started every game, and neither one will light up the scoreboard, but they certainly can defend, as evidenced by Thompson's 2.3 spg and Conner 1.7 last season. St. John resident Carly Hough will add depth at forward during her sophomore campaign, and Linnea Jones will bolster a deep guard corps.

Who's new: Freshman DeShaun Johnson (Thornridge) will challenge for playing time at point guard right away, and fellow freshman Shauneia McPhearson will challenge for minutes as well. Two transfers will bolster the frontcourt. Amanda Pierce, a smooth, versatile, 6-foot-1 forward who at one time was being recruited by Rutgers, comes in after a redshirt season at Barton College in Great Bend, Kan. An aggressive transfer from State Fair Community College in Sedalia, Mo., 6-3 Tonisha Simpson will handle the role of center.

Outlook: Third-year coach Jeff Boyd, a Thornridge grad, finally has a team that is composed solely of players he recruited, and he has recruited an athletic crew. The Cougars have compiled back-to-back 10-21 seasons with one postseason win in 2008 and stayed near the bottom of the Skyway Conference. This guard-dominated group won't have a restrictor plate as it races to reverse the losing ways. "They're fast," Boyd said. "I'm not going to slow them down." With a mix of new and old backcourt players, Boyd is still trying to determine his rotation. "There are a variety of things I can do, but it's a good thing that I have that problem," Boyd said. "We're gonna be able to put up points, so it's our defense that's going to need to stop people from scoring. That's what's going to turn that frown into a smile."

Roster

No. Name Ht. Yr. Pos. High School (Hometown)

10 Jaleesha Conner 5-7 So. G Simeon (Chicago)

11 Nancy Thompson 5-3 So. G Hammond (Hammond)

21 DeShaun Johnson 5-3 Fr. G Thornridge (Harvey)

22 Linnea Lones 5-5 So. G Lincoln-Way East (Mokena)

23 Kevonna Robinson 5-7 Fr. G Fenger (Hazel Crest)

25 Brandi Banks 5-7 Fr. G Simeon (Chicago)

31 Amanda Pierce 6-1 Fr. F Simeon (Chicago)

32 Shauneia McPhearson 5-7 Fr. G Holy Trinity (Chicago)

35 TaraAnn Spell 5-10 Fr. F/C Wilmington (Wilmington)

41 Carly Hough 5-8 So. F Covenant Christian (St. John)

43 Jody Eagle 5-9 Fr. F Lake Shore (St. Joseph, Mich.)

52 Tonisha Simpson 6-3 So. C Crane (Chicago)

Schedule

November

7 vs. Daley College 1 p.m.

10 at Joliet Junior College 5 p.m.

14 at Kennedy-King College 1 p.m.

17 at Olive Harvey College 5 p.m.

21 vs. Black Hawk East College 1 p.m.

24 at Wright College 5 p.m.

28-29 Black Hawk East College Tournament TBA

December

1 at South Suburban College 5 p.m.

18-19 Oakland CC Tournament TBA

30 at Ancilla College 5 p.m.

January

2 at College of DuPage 5 p.m.

5 at Oakton CC 5:30 p.m.

7 vs. Moraine Valley CC 7:15 p.m.

9 vs. Malcolm X College 1 p.m.

12 at Elgin CC 5:30 p.m.

14 at College of Lake County 5:30 p.m.

19 vs. Morton College 5:30 p.m.

21 at McHenry County College 5:30 p.m.

26 vs. Waubonsee CC 5:30 p.m.

28 vs. Oakton CC 5:30 p.m.

30 at Kankakee CC 1 p.m.

February

2 at Moraine Valley CC 7:15 p.m.

4 vs. Elgin CC 5:30 p.m.

9 vs. College of Lake County 5:30 p.m.

11 at Morton College 5:30 p.m.

16 vs. McHenry County College 5:30 p.m.

18 at Waubonsee CC 5:30 p.m.

20 vs. Kishwaukee College 1 p.m.

Region IV Tournament Feb. 25, 28, March 6

-- Compiled by Paul Trembacki