Everyone knows that there will be challenges in their first season whenever a new coach takes over a program but, all eyes are fixed on what improvements occur in year two.  For Head Coach, Ty Taylor, year two means stage two of what he calls his five year plan. "Our goal this season is to build upon the foundation of last season," explained Taylor, "last season, we struggled with a new system and limited numbers, but this season we seem to be headed in the right direction."


Gone from last season are guard, Megan DeMutis (Norristown, PA/Kennedy-Kenrick Catholic); and fellow seniors Shamara Rhoades, Tiandra Allen (Windsor, CT/Windsor) and Kim Katsigianis (Amherst, NH/Souhegan).  DeMutis led the team in total minutes played with 954 an average of 38.2 per game. She was second in scoring with an average of 8.1 per game.  "Most people will look at her stats and not think that she had an impact, but she was that gritty player we could count on in many situations," said Taylor.  Hoping to fill that role this season is lone senior guard/forward, Amber Wehry (Klingerstown, PA/Tri-Valley Jr/Sr), who was second in total minutes played with 950, an average of 38.0 minutes per game. Wehry led the team in scoring with 12.8 points per game average.  According to Taylor, "Amber will take on the role that Megan had last season.  Her leadership is invaluable, she is the most experienced player we have who knows what it takes to compete in the CSAC." 
DeMutis and Wehry played in and started all 25 games last season.  Wehry looks to become the next Falcon hoopster to reach the 1,000 plateau in her final season.




Returning for the Falcons from the 2012-13 season are junior guard/forwards, DeJanet Lantion (Silver Spring, MD/John F. Kennedy) and sophomore, Kayleigh Keggan (Blairstown, NJ/Belvidere).  Lantion saw action in 24 games starting in 19 and averaged 5.9 points and 4.5 rebounds per game.  Keggan as a freshman; started 23 of 25 games, contributing 5.3 points and 3.5 rebounds per game.  "With three returning players, we have our work cut out for  ourselves," said Taylor, "it's great to have them since they know our system and terminology.  Their contributions have already been felt in helping our newcomers make the adjustment to practices and our system."

New to the flock are junior transfers Breonna Lewis (Abingdon, MD/Sovereign Grace Homeschool) and Shaquira McCottry (Philadelphia, PA/Girard College).  "Adding these two young ladies to our program is huge," explained Taylor, "though Amber, DeJanet and Kayleigh all bring plenty of experience, it's nice to have two additional players who come from competitive junior college programs." Lewis played at NJCAA Division I Harford Community College who were the regular season Maryland JUCO Conference Title, the NJCAA Division I Region XX Championship and runner-up in the NJCAA National Tournament District Final last season, completing the best season in Fighting Owl history with a record 25-4 season.  Over her two seasons, Lewis averaged 7.5 points and 4 rebounds per game.  McCottry played one season at NJCAA Division II Manor College and was a key contributor defensively for the Lady Blue Jays; that competed in the NJCAA Division II Region XIX Championship Tournament.  "Both Lewis and McCottry bring a level of toughness that we were missing last season plus give us a solid five players to help our first year players along," said Taylor.


Hoping to make an impact this season are six first year players: guard, Brittney Billmeyer (Danville, PA/Columbia County Christian); forward, Kristina Brandveen (Williamsburg,VA/Warhill High School); guard/forward, Samantha Carter (Cincinnati, OH/Madeira); guard, Ciara Lane (Northampton, PA/Northampton Area); guard, Taylor Osley (Allentown, PA/Louis E. Dieruff High School) and guard, Allison Rittle (Fredericksburg, PA/Northern Lebanon), joining the Falcons roster for 2013-14.  "It's nice to have young and enthusiastic players who give us depth and athleticism.  With this many first year players, it's important that we focus on the details and learn the value of each possession, so we are doing a lot of teaching," Taylor said, "we are eager to see how we perform this season."


The 2013-14 Falcon ballers kick off a busy November with their non-conference contests starting November 16^th and 17^th at the Second Annual All-Women's College Tournament hosted by Bryn Mawr College.  Cedar Crest battles host Bryn Mawr in game one Saturday at 1 p.m., the 3 p.m. contest features, fellow CSAC member Notre Dame of Maryland University against The College of New  ochelle.  You can catch the consolation and championship games on Sunday at 1 and 3 p.m.  The Screaming Eagles of College of Saint Elizabeth invade Lees Hall Gymnasium for the Falcons home opener on Tuesday, November 19^th.  Saturday, November 23^rd & Sunday, November 24^th Cedar Crest hosts the First Annual Hilton Garden Inn Holiday Tournament. Tipping off the tournament are Lehman College and St. Joseph's College of Brooklyn at 3 p.m., followed by your Falcons and the Fightin' Blue Jays of New York University-Polytechnic at 5 p.m.  Sunday will feature a 12 p.m. consolation and 2 p.m. championship contests.


Other non-conference games are the Goucher College Gophers on Tuesday, November 26^th at 7 p.m., with the three remaining games are after the New Year.  The highlight of 2014 is a January 4^th road trip to Hollins University in Roanoke, Virginia.  January 15^th and February 3^rd brings annual rival Valley Forger Christian College and upstart Bryn Athyn College to Allentown.


Cedar Crest will play the following six CSAC opponents once this season; Immaculata University, Neumann University, Gwynedd Mercy University, Keystone College, Baptist Bible College and Cabrini College.  Home and away contests will be played against the five remaining CSAC opponents starting with Centenary College, Marywood University, Cairn University, Rosemont College and Notre Dame of Maryland University.

"With 25 games, we can't afford to look past the next team on the schedule," explained Taylor, "this year it's one game at time, giving our full attention to what we need to do to win that specific game."  If you can't make it to Lees Hall or a road game, check out every Cedar Crest home game and CSAC contest streamed live on the internet. Full schedule details and links to live stream are available at www.cedarcrestathletics.com/Basketball.