Agard looks to lead SUNY-Old Westbury in D-III

SUNY-OLD WESTBURYPANTHERS If 2009-10 Skyline rookie of the year Krystina Agard plays the way she did last season, leading her team in scoring, blocks, steals and assists, SUNY-Old Westbury (12-13) could take a big step forward.

But Agard will need help. Returning guards Daniella Santos and Brittany Jones (10.9 ppg, 9.5 rpg.) will be keys to the Panthers' success.

FARMINGDALE STATE RAMS

It might take a while for defending Skyline champion Farmingdale State (22-1) to get on track without two-time conference player of the year Kim Blakney and backcourt mate Kamaya Miller. But longtime Rams coach Chris Mooney has very capable players in Juanita Chappel, Jeanette Zubizaretta and Dominique Cunningham.

ST. JOSEPH'S GOLDEN EAGLES

St. Joseph's (15-12) needs to replace its top three scorers from a squad that finished fourth in the Skyline, including all-time leading scorer Trish McMahon. Junior Nicole Redding and sophomore center Amanda Bender are the leading candidates.

USMMA MARINERS

USMMA (2-12) struggled in the Landmark Conference, but coach Mike Dempsey already sees improvement. With his top scorer, Rebecca Grimes (14.9 ppg.), and best rebounder, Janay Weather (9.3 rpg.), back, Dempsey expects his crew to make the rest of the conference sweat.

"We have some pretty good upperclassmen back who should help shoulder the load until the underclassmen are ready," Dempsey said.

SUFFOLK CC CLIPPERS

With several of his top players back from last season's 21-4 team - including All-Region XV selection Ashley Drumgole, Jeanette Spillane and Leah Elezar - Suffolk CC is set for a title run. Coach Kevin Foley is confident his top three sophomores are ready to bring home the school's first Region XV title since 2003.

"Having that kind of experience back makes it a little easier to coach," Foley said. "With the development and continued improvement of our three leading sophomores, we can be really good."

Suffolk's offense isn't even the strength of the team, according to Foley. "We were the top defensive team in the country last year and are always in the top five," he said.

NASSAU CC LIONS

Nassau, 16-6 last season, lost its top scorer to graduation, but returns three experienced sophomores in Samantha Campbell, Melanie O'Brien and Tricia Courtney. Nassau CC will need to rely on its defense, which was ranked second in the country, until its offense gets going.