Season preview: Frontcourt
SMITHFIELD, R.I. -- Last season, the Bryant Bulldogs women's basketball season ended after an appearance in the Northeast Conference Championship game, the first in program history. A key factor that playoff push was from the play of post players.
This is part one of a two-part season preview on the Bryant women's basketball team's upcoming season. We will preview the backcourt on Wednesday.
The frontcourt of this season's Bryant roster has a mix of returning players, as well as some fresh faces to the Bulldog program. Sydney Holloway (Morgantown, W. Va.), Kathleen Everson (Farmingville, N.Y.), Hannah Scanlan (Rumson, N.J.), Julia Kelner (Fayetteville, N.Y.) and Brooke Bjelko (Plattsburgh, N.Y.) are all going to see time in the post for head coach Mary Burke's squad this season.
Holloway returns to the Bulldogs after a solid rookie campaign that included a selection to the NEC All-Rookie team. The sophomore forward averaged 8.3 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1 steal per game a season ago. With the graduations of Alex Klein and Morgan Olander, Holloway's on-court workload will see an increase in 2017-18.
"This year Sydney's going to have to step up and lead some of the younger players," Bryant head coach Mary Burke said. "She's settling into where she's going to need to be. I think out of the gate, she's going to be a major-minute player."
Another returning piece of the Bryant frontcourt is senior Kathleen Everson. Everson, the Bulldogs' captain this season, grew into her own last season. Last season in her debut game, Everson played 17 minutes versus St. Francis Brooklyn and scored seven points, both career highs. The senior will see an increased workload, both offensively and defensively.
"She understands the system and knows what it takes to play for me," Burke said. "She knows what it takes to play in the league. She has a nice ability to take the ball off the dribble from the foul line. She's going to be another one who we can use their experience because she's been around and knows what it takes."
A new face for the Bulldogs, Hannah Scanlan is a player that Burke is excited to see develop this year. Scanlan comes to Smithfield from Rumson Fair-Haven Regional High School in Rumson, N.J., the same school that teammate Stephanie Lesko (Rumson, N.J.) attended. The freshman was a McDonald's All-American nominee last year during her senior season and averaged 20.2 points, 11.5 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game in her final high school season.
"Hannah definitely has great touch around the basket," Burke said. "She's another runner, which means she's going to run up the floor. She's going to be able to catch and finish. She's just trying to figure out that versatility. She is great around the basket. She will turn out, long-term, to be a scorer for us."
Julia Kelner is also expected to make an impact for the Bulldogs in 2017-18 for Burke's squad. Kelner comes to the Bulldogs via Jamesville DeWitt High School in DeWitt, N.Y. In high school, Kelner led her team to repeat state titles as a junior and senior and was named All-CNY First Team, OHSL Freedom National League Player of the Year and a Rose Classic All-Star.
"Julia's another runner," Burke said. "In our system, I love post players who can run. She's another one who can really run and advance the ball. I think overall she will be nice defensively because she is long and vocal. She has a really good defensive presence and will be able to block some shots, as well."
A classmate of Kelner and Scanlan, Brooke Bjelko rounds out the frontcourt depth for the Bulldogs. Bjelko played high school basketball at Beekmantown in New York and led her team to three-straight Champlain Valley Athletic Conference championships.
"Brooke has a good body," Burke said. "She's another runner. She's one of the bigger players we've ever had in the program, and she's solid, as well. Once she gets a little more situated with the physicality of [the college game], she'll settle in. She has a good skillset around the basket and will give us a good presence in the post as far as a bigger, stronger player."
The Bryant frontcourt will be on display Friday when the team opens up its season at Boston College for a noon game. The team's first home game will be Nov. 21 when the Bulldogs host New Hampshire at the Chace Athletic Center. To purchase tickets to a Bryant women's basketball home game, head to BryantBulldogs.com/tickets.