W. Hoops welcomes Class of '05

Sure, the Penn women's basketball team raced through the Ivy League unblemished last year, trouncing every one of its Ancient Eight opponents en route to the program's first-ever conference title.

But, like any team, the 2000-2001 Quakers had their share of weaknesses, most notably their three-point shooting. The Red and Blue converted on just 29 percent of their attempts from behind the arc last season.

Penn coach Kelly Greenberg believes that problem is now solved.

Greenberg, along with assistants Joe McGeever and Dayna Smith, has brought in a highly-touted recruiting class for the 2001-2002 season, highlighted by three top-quality long-range shooters.

Maria DiDonato of Notre Dame de Namur (Glenolden, Pa.), Karen Habrukowich of Council Rock (Newtown, Pa.) and Catherine Makarewich of New Fairfield (New Fairfeld, Conn.) all had blistering high school careers from three-point range and will be looked upon to resurrect the Quakers' outside game.

It remains to be seen whether these girls can continue their hot shooting at the collegiate level.

It also remains to be seen how the tailor will find a way to fit each of their names onto the back of a Penn jersey.

"We're the All-Name team now," Greenberg joked.

DiDonato nailed 72 three-pointers last season, just 13 less than the Quakers hit as a team. The 5'6" guard averaged 17.5 points, 4.0 assists and 3.0 steals per game to go along with her superb outside touch.

The 6'0" Makarewich is also no stranger to the three-point game. Last year, she hit 43 from downtown and seven in one game to shatter the previous New Fairfield marks. Makarewich averaged 16.7 ppg and 6.0 rpg in her senior season.

Habrukowich's numbers last season were a little more modest than her two incoming teammates (10.0 ppg, 3.1 apg), but the 5'9" guard shot a mind-boggling 46.9 percent from three-point range (61-for-131), raising her high school career percentage to 43.3 percent.

"We're going to have some fun practices," Smith said, referring to the influx of three-point shooters to the Palestra.

Joining the All-Name team in the backcourt will be 5'7" point guard Amanda Kammes of Benet Academy (Wheaton, Ill.). A true point guard, the All-Area, All-City and All-East Suburban Catholic Conference selection dished out 7.5 assists and averaged 2.5 steals per game last season.

"[Kammes is] a very tough point guard," Greenberg said. "She's one of the better players coming out of Illinois."

With four new faces coming into Penn's backcourt, the Quakers have more players than spots available.

Greenberg, however, isn't worried.

"A lot of people are going to be fighting for positions at the guard spots," Greenberg said. "We're not going to have a Diana. We're going to be more athletic. And we'll have great, great depth."

The Quakers' only addition to the frontcourt is 6'2" center Katie Kilker of Conwell-Egan (Langhorne, Pa.). In her senior campaign, the local product carried a 22.8 scoring average, while blocking 2.5 shots per contest.

And while Greenberg focused more on the four guards -- all accepted to Penn early decision -- the head coach calls Kilker the "biggest secret in Philadelphia."

Losing stars Erin Ladley and Diana Caramanico -- the dynamic duo that carried the Quakers to Ancient Eight glory -- will surely be tough.

But with these five incoming freshmen, to go along with Penn's outstanding returning players, the Quakers have a very good chance to defend their Ivy title.

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