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COLLEGE BASKETBALL PREVIEW 2008
OSU women aiming for 5th consecutive Big Ten championship
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State dominated Big Ten Conference women's basketball in the last four seasons.
Not only does Ohio State own the seventh-best winning percentage (.838) and have the ninth-most wins (109) in all of women's basketball during the last four years, they also have run away with four straight Big Ten titles.
With four starting players returning, a record-tying fifth consecutive Big Ten championship is the goal.
Highlighting the list of returnees is sophomore sensation Jantel Lavender, who enjoyed the finest season by a Buckeye freshman since Katie Smith in 1993. The 6-foot-4 center from Cleveland Central Catholic put up 17.6 points per game her freshman season and shot better than 50 percent to earn Big Ten freshman and co-player of the year honors.
Lavender played like a seasoned veteran in her rookie season, scoring sometimes at will and controlling the glass with a Big Ten-best 9.9 rebounds per game.
Leading the way in the backcourt and on the defensive side of the ball is 2008 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Shavelle Little, who led the team and the league with 79 steals. The Buckeyes' point guard complemented her defensive performance with her ability to distribute the basketball, finishing second on the team with 81 assists.
After sitting out last winter quarter to focus on academics, senior forward Star Allen is back. She averaged 8.2 points and 6.7 rebounds.
Rounding out the returning starters from a team that won the Big Ten with a 13-5 record is senior guard Ashlee Trebilcock who scored 9.6 points per game.
Other returning veterans include Maria Moeller, Andrea Walker, Cherise Daniel, Brittany Johnson, Allison Jackson and Sarah Schulze.
Walker is a 6-5 junior center who provides a nice one-two punch inside with Lavender when they're on the court together.
Ohio State's recruiting class included point guard Samantha Prahalis, a McDonald's High School All-American.
-- Information from www.ohiostatebuckeyes.com
