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• 2009-10 Roster
• 2009-10 Schedule
• Program Notes
• Coaching Staff
• Recruiting Form
• Past Seasons
• All-Americans
• 1,000-Point Scorers
• Record Book
• Year-by-Year Records
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• NCAA DIII Statistical Leaders
• D3Hoops.com
• NCAABasketball.net

Program Notes

All-American Val Beckwith '09

The Bates College women's basketball team gives student-athletes an opportunity to compete for the New England Small College Athletic Conference championship and a berth in the NCAA Championship. The team's style demands intense defensive pressure and the ability and willingness to take advantage of every fast-break opportunity. Student-athletes who welcome both academic and athletic challenges while making friendships that will last a lifetime should consider applying to Bates.

The regular season consists of a 24-game schedule, including nine games vs. NESCAC opponents. The top eight teams in the regular season qualify for the NESCAC Championships, with the winner earning an automatic berth in the NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Championship.

2008-09 Review

The Bates College women’s basketball team had a tremendous season in 2008-09, earning the fourth seed in the NESCAC Championship and finishing 16-9 overall. With the fourth seed, the Bobcats were the final team to secure a home game for the first round of the playoffs. Securing the spot was a great achievement considering the team’s youth. The team was composed largely of underclassmen, with six sophomores and five first-years on the 15-player roster. The team also lost three of their top four scorers from 2007-08, including All-American player Meg Coffin, who graduated fifth on the Bobcats all-time career scoring record, Sarah Barton, who graduated as the Bobcats all-time career leader in assists, and Matia Kostakis, a member of Bates' 1,000-point club.

Even with the loss of such talented players, the 2008-09 Bobcats saw more talented players step up and the team improved upon their record from the previous season. The team was led by senior co-captains Val Beckwith (Woburn, Mass.) and ShawnRose Lanchantin (Natick, Mass). Beckwith led the team in scoring averaging 18.3 points per game this season including a brilliant 19 points per game average in NESCAC play, unmatched by any other NESCAC player. She also led the team in rebounding with 6.3 rebounds a game. As a result of her tremendous play, Beckwith received numerous postseason accolades, beginning with NESCAC Player of the Year. Beckwith was also named NEWBA New England Player of the Year and MWBCA Maine State Player of the Year. In addtion, she was an Honorable Mention All-America selection by the Women's Basketball Coaches of America, and D3Hoops.com named her a Fourth Team All-American, as well as the Northeast Region Player of the Year by D3Hoops.com and First Team All-Region.

Beckwith finished her career at Bates second all-time in scoring with 1,470 points, just eight shy of the program record held by Emily King '00. Her 534 career rebounds put her at No. 18 on Bates' all-time list. Beckwith set program records this season for free throws made (142) and attempted (190) in a season, and for free throws made in a career (392).

While Beckwith improved upon her terrific season last year, it was the emergence of a number of other players that propelled the Bobcats into the top half of the NESCAC standings. Junior Lauren Yanofsky (Belmont, Mass.) had a breakout season, averaging 12.4 points per game and 5.3 rebounds, second best on the team. Yanofsky and Beckwith teamed up to be a powerful and difficult match-up for any team throughout the season. After a season under their belt, sophomores Jessie Igoe (Lexington, Mass.) and Christine McCall (Lowell, Mass.) showed marked improvement in 2008-09. Also making an immediate impact were first-years Annie Burns (Topsfield, Mass.) who led the team in assists and steals at point guard, Kristen Finn (Winthrop, Mass.), a pure shooter, Kelsey Flaherty (South Portland, Maine) and Amanda Gifford (Lee, Maine). Sophomore Maggie DePoy (Chicago, Ill.) led the NESCAC in three-point accuracy, making 32 of 72 attempts (.444) beyond the arc.

The Bobcats will look to keep the momentum of their young and talented team throughout the offseason. The team will lose two seniors including Beckwith, but tradition has it that there are always more players waiting in the wings to take the team to the next level.