…women’s Huskie basketball squads

Donald Whiteside

“Anyone who questions his size has no idea what beats inside that young man’s chest,” NIU men’s coach Jim Rosborough said. “He won’t have to score a lot to be valuable to us.”

This 5-foot-10 sophomore from Chicago will see playing time at the point guard position. Not only is he a ball handler, but he can shoot as well. The co-captain has averaged 17 points and eight assists during preseason action. Last year he tallied a career-best 12 points on five-of-six shooting from the floor—including two of three from 3-point range—in eight minutes against Wisconsin-Green Bay.

Stacy Arringtonc

“Stacy is an exceptional athlete with unlimited talent,” Rosborough said. “His whole future is dependent on Stacy Arrington. Very simply, he can become as good a player as he wants to be. The kid has talent.”

At 6-foot-2, the off guard will pull double duty as the Huskies’ back-up point guard. Last season Arrington did not see much playing time because of Rodney Davis and Randy Norman (both graduated), but the Huskie did get 102 minutes of action in during his freshman year, and he started four consecuive games at mid-season.

Donnell Thomasc

“You know Donnell’s going to play his heart out for you,” Rosborough said. “He might be the best 6-4 rebounder I’ve seen since Clay Hargrave who led the Big Ten in rebounding at Iowa.”

This co-captain enters the 1988-89 campaign with many titles, including being named on the preseason Street & Smith’s Honorable Mention All-America list. The “D-Train” has already begun the year with an average of 20.5 points per game—a big increase from last season’s 11.5 average ppg. As a freshman, Thomas earned 24 starts and had 18 double-figure scoring games.

Andrew Wellsc

“Andrew might be our most improved player from last year,” Rosborough said. “He’s a quick leaper, a snake around the basket. He keeps balls alive, gets tips. He should be a leading candidate for our slam-dunk title.”

This 6-foot-7, 204-pound forward averaged 19.3 ppg. in preseason play, including 19 points and 16 rebounds against Club Rio Claro. Last year the sophomore finished No. 4 in team rebounding with 5.7 rebounds per game and averaged almost a rebound a minute last season.

Antwon Harmonc

“Two years ago Antwon might have been one of the most overlooked players in the city,” Rosborough said. “Right now he needs court time at this level. He runs the floor like a greyhound.”

The Chicago native sat out the 1987-88 season because of Proposition 48. Standing at 6-foot-8, the sophomore will be a strong competitor against Wells for fastbreak dunks. Harmon ended his senior year with 430 points, 19.5 average ppg., and 14.0 rpg.

Jo Jo Jacksonc

“Jo Jo has made a good transition from a forward in high school,” Rosborough said. “On offensive rebounds he has a great knack for being where the ball is. He’s got big hands, long arms and is sneaky quick.”

Jackson will be the first guard off the bench for NIU and will be right along in the slam-dunk competition. This Huskie scored 18 points in a scrimmage earlier this month at Geneva High School. As a freshman, the 6-foot-3 Lockport native ranked third in free-throw percentage with a .760 clip. He started six games last year and reached double figures in four contests.

Marcus Cotyc

“Marcus comes out of one of the best high school programs in the state of Iowa,” Rosborough said. “It shows every day in practice. He plays smart. He’s unselfish. He’s just a well-rounded player.”

Coty is a 6-foot, 165-pound freshman from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he prepped at Washington High. He was named to the First-Team All-Mississippi Valley Conference, First-Team All-Metro, First-Team Iowa Coaches Association All-State and Honorable Mention USA Today All-America team. During Saturday’s win over Bethel, Coty set a school record with six-for-six 3-point shooting.

Randy Fensc

“Randy is a blue collar kid, a good rebounder,” Rosborough said. “He’s coming back after major surgery last December. Once he regains confidence in his knee, he’ll be tough inside.”

Fens hails from Dubuque, Iowa. During his senior year at Hempstead, the 6-foot-8 forward averaged 26.0 ppg and 10.5 rbpg., and he was on the state’s No. 2-ranked team after two games prior to a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament injury. The 214-pound freshman grabbed nine(rebounds in the NIU game against Club Rio Claro Nov. 12.

Mike Hiddenc

“Mike is what I would call a subtle basketball player,” Rosborough said. “He does the little things that make a difference. He’ll make the good pass or keep the ball alive on the offensive boards.”

This Huskie paced the NIC-10 Conference in both scoring (23.6 ppg.) and rebounding (10.8 rpg.) as a senior in high school. He finished 27th in the state in point production. At 6-foot-5, Hidden will provide strength at either the guard or forward positions. The NIU cager produced 14 points for the White squad at the Geneva intrasquad scrimmage.

Brent Varnerc

“Brent has shown improvement daily in practice,” Rosborough said. “He has good hands which is important to a big man who does a lot of passing. Our kids call him ‘Big Mo.'”

Varner isn’t called big for nothing. At 6-foot-9, 245-pounds, this freshman will provide height under the basket. Last season at Cousino High School in Warren, Mich., Varner shot 129-of-203 (.635 percentage) from the field and 69-of-97 (.711 percentage) from the free-throw line. As a senior he averaged 15.1 ppg. and 12.0 rpg. Varner grabbed four rebounds Saturday against Bethel.

Phil Leibc

“Phil possesses an extremely high basketball IQ,” Rosborough said. “He’s clever around the basket. He’s a great ball-faker. And he understands his role on the team.”

Leib will receive a scholarship in the spring semester after transferring from Olney Community College. This Huskie was a two-year starter at Olney and he averaged 11.5 ppg. and 5.5 rbpg. with 72 assists and 36 steals. The 6-foot-4, 174-pound junior will be tuning up for next season at either the guard or forward spots. At the Geneva scrimmage, Leib notched four points for his Red team.

Dan Bedekerc

“Dan is Mr. Work Ethic,” Rosborough said. “He understands all phases of the game. He’s an especially good passer. Every team should have a Dan Bedeker. He’s the guy on the team who would make a good head coach.”

This 5-foot-11 junior is a walk-on candidate this season. He lettered two years at Joliet Community College where he received a squad Academic Award and served as team captain last year. Bedeker averaged 8.6 ppg. and 3.3 assists per game as All-NJCAA Region Four selection and was named Most Improved as a Freshman and scored 3.4 ppg. The guard ended his sophomore year with 241 points.

Jim Rosboroughc

The head boss is entering his third season at the Huskie helm. This is the first roster for Rosborough which features all players recruited by his current staff. Before coming to NIU, he assisted Lute Olson at Iowa for nine seasons and assisted at Tulsa during 1985-86.

Robert Collinsc

Collins will be helping Rosborough with much of the defense this 1988-89 campaign. From Robeson High School, Collins provides the “Chicago Connection” for NIU.

Jon Mackeyc

This assistant coach knew Rosborough long before NIU. He served as an instructor with Rosborough for Olson’s Hawkeye camps.

Bill Harrisc

Harris’ job includes academic counseling to off-season conditioning, practice schedules to film exchanges, equipment to scouting summer camps and anything in between.

Mike Schalowc

Schalow is the newest member and is a volunteer assistant for the Huskies.

Lisa Fossc

“Lisa has proven that there are no limits to what she can do,” NIU women’s basketball coach Jane Albright said. “Mentally she’s very tough and she’s shooting the ball better than I’ve ever seen her.”

Foss remains a question mark for the 1988-89 season. The 5-foot-7 junior underwent knee surgery over the summer and is still rehabilitating. The Huskie coaches will have to decide within the first few games if Foss will proceed further into the season or become a medical redshirt. The Lake Zurich native was the team MVP last season and led the Huskies with a 19.6 points-per-game average.

Denise Dovec

“Denise worked hard on her game all summer and has come back in great shape,” Albright said. “She’s much improved from last year and is very confident now. She has the style we want our point guard to have.

Call her Ms. 3-pointer if you will. Dove has proven to be one of the Huskie’s top scorers from long distance. Last year, the sophomore was successful 15 times from the twilight zone, while attempting the shot 39 times. Although Dove may not have had the kind of year her coaches expected, No. 11 will be a key player this season.

Gena Stubbsc

“Gena is turning into one of the most complete players on our team,” Albright said. “She has really been a catalyst for us offensively and defensively. She’s scoring well and she’s and all-around player.”

Certainly the team leader for this season. As a senior, Stubbs will have to live up to her billing. In the Huskies’ first game this season, Stubbs topped the scoring statistics with 25 points. Despite her offensive talent, Stubbs is no slouch on defense. Her ability to steal the ball from opponents makes the co-captain a force to be reckoned with.

Tammy Hincheec

“Probably the most underrated player on our team,” Albright said. “Tammy has the potential to be a great offensive threat. Defensively she really knows the game. She’s usually a step ahead of the game. All we need to see is a confident player in her.”

The 6-foot-2 junior is going to be cleaning a lot of glass for the Huskies this year. Last year, Hinchee brought down 245 total rebounds and is wasting no time this year. In NIU’s season opener, she compiled 17 rebounds to lead in that category.

Carol Owensc

“Carol is a different player and more confident player than I’ve ever seen her,” Albright said. “She is in the best physical shape she has ever been in. She is a breath of energy. We’re expecting nothing but good things from her.”

As the team’s center, Owens stands 6-foot-3 and has all the tools to aid the Huskies to a winning season. Last year Owens was named to the All-North Star Confernce team and was also awarded Player of the Week status in the NSC. The junior co-captain averaged 15.6 ppg and led the team in blocked shots with 47. She finished second to Hinchee in rebounds with 229.

Kris Weisc

“Kris is shooting the ball well,” Albright said. “She has worked hard over the summer and seems to be more confident. She’s going to be a major contributor to our success.”

Coming off the bench may not be the easiest thing to do, but the 5-foot-7 junior from Harlan, Iowa is going to have to be content with late entries. Weis will have to come in off the bench and make things happen this year. She’ll be able to step in at guard for Dove or Foss and hold her own. Weis could be the player who goes unnoticed for her hard play.