The Communique

Issue date: 1/31/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Natalie Niemeyer MyKenya Johnson drives past a NIACC defender. Kirkwood won 107-38.

Anyone who thought this might be a rebuilding year for the Kirkwood Community College women's basketball team doesn't have a leg to stand on. The Eagles have posted a 15-4 record after losing their first two games of the season against top ranked Division I teams at the Chipola Tournament in Florida.

The Eagles, who are now 15-6 overall, are led by returning sophomores Lauren Thomas-Johnson and Breann Hill, both Marquette signees. Both are averaging over four assists a piece. The two also lead the team in scoring. Thomas-Johnson averages 13.2 ppg and Hill averages 12.5. Hill is leading the team in rebounds and steals with 8.5 and 2.7 per-game.

But these experienced sophomores are getting some help from their freshman counterparts.

The Eagles have a new kid on the block, literally. El Sara Greer, a 6'2" freshman from Waterloo is posting big numbers in conference play for Kirkwood. Against Southeastern Community College, Greer, who plays forward, tallied 16 points, eight rebounds and seven blocks.

"El is getting better everyday," Eagles coach Kim Muhl said.

Another new face taking charge on the perimeter for the Eagles is McKensey Long. The a freshman point guard out of Carthage, Ill. dished out seven assists against Southeastern. Long was second on the team in assists behind sophomore Breann Hill, a Marquette recruit, who had 11 in the win.

"Kenzie has had to come along very quickly and is now starting to run things a lot better," Muhl said.

Overall, Muhl said he is very happy with his freshman classes' performance. "The freshmen are contributing quite a bit," he said of his seven rookies. "All of the freshmen have shown nice development."

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