July 14, 1999

Despite a 13-15 record in 1998-99, Cindy Stein?s first season as head coach of the Missouri women's basketball program could be termed successful. Stein took a team that was projected dead last in the Big 12 Conference by virtually everyone to 10th place. The Tigers ended a 19-game losing streak to nationally ranked Nebraska, almost upset Big 12 champion Texas Tech in Lubbock and ended a long conference road losing streak with a win at Oklahoma in the final regular season game of the season. Stein's Tigers then notched their first postseason tournament win since the 1993-94 season by upsetting Baylor before bowing out to the second seed, Iowa State, in the second round.

Reason for optimism? Yes. Now an increased number of fans and media are wondering just how far Stein can take her program. Well, the suspense continues to build as Stein has put together a recruiting class that very well could be one of the best in the nation. Eight newcomers have been brought in to join forces with returning veterans Julie Helm, Amy Monsees, Ekpe Akpaffiong and Tracy Franklin to form one of the deepest teams in the Big 12 Conference.

Here is a look by position at the new-look Missouri Tigers heading into the 1999-2000 season.

BACKCOURT
Turnovers were a major problem for the Missouri Tigers in 1998-99. Missouri was toward the bottom of the conference in turnovers and assist/turnover ratio. Stein hopes that problem will disappear with the addition of Kerensa Barr, the Missouri High School Player-of-the-Year. The two-time all-state point guard is 5-10 with the ability to distribute the basketball as well as score. Barr is expected to compete for the starting point position.

Barr will have plenty of competition. Sophomore Natalie Bright returns after an up-and-down freshmen campaign. Bright got better as the season went on as her turnovers diminished and her assists increased. Bright's ability to shoot the basketball makes her a real force as she hit 19 three-pointers a year ago and shot over 40 percent from floor.

Stein can also call on junior Kendra Jones who has plenty of experience. Jones struggled offensively last season turning the ball over 60 times but her quickness gives the Tigers a spark defensively.

Senior Sarah Frazier saw action in just four games last season after transferring to Mizzou from Southeast Missouri State. Frazier is a hard-nosed player who has the ability to score.

The shooting guard position is talented and deep. Stein is loaded with options, but her first option is without a doubt senior Julie Helm, the sixth leading scorer in school history. Helm has wracked up 1,563 points for her career and averages 17.7 points for her career. She has been in the top 10 in the conference in scoring each of the last three seasons and has a career free throw percentage of over 80 percent.

Also returning is Tracy Franklin, a 5-10 junior who can play four positions on the floor for the Tigers. Stein is hoping that Franklin will enter the 1999-2000 campaign with confidence, something that Franklin lacked at times. Perhaps one of the best athletes on the team, Franklin averaged 5.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and a team-best 67 assists last season. She showed glimpses of brilliance last year, particularly in Mizzou's upset of Nebraska when she scored 11 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists in the contest. Franklin will play with the Big 12 select team this August.

Another shot in the arm will be provided by newcomer Denise Cardenas, a junior-college transfer from Central Arizona J.C. The 5-10 Yuma, Ariz. native is a sharp-shooting guard, particularly from beyond the three-point arc. Cardenas averaged over 14 ppg. for the national Division I Junior College runner-up last season and shot well over 40 percent from three-point territory. She is considered one of the top eight shooting guards coming out of the junior college ranks this season.

Sophomore Ali Johnston also returns for the Tigers at the two-guard spot. Johnston averaged close to 10 minutes per game last season and appeared in all but two contests. Her all-out hustle should continue to earn her minutes.

FRONT COURT
Where the Tigers lacked athleticism last season, that has all changed heading into 1999-2000. Missouri may still lack size, but they will be cat-quick and strong, unlike previous years.

Returning for the Tigers are seniors Amy Monsees and Ekpe Akpaffiong. Monsees was one of the most improved players in the Big 12 Conference last season and really benefited from Coach Stein's up-tempo style. Monsees averaged 12.8 ppg. and 4.7 rebounds. She also dished out 62 assists. Monsees strength was her ability to play both on the perimeter and down on the blocks. She shot 46 percent from the floor and broadened her range to three-point territory as she hit 45 percent from beyond the arc.

Akpaffiong lacks the size to play in the post, but she held her own, particularly on the defensive end. She averaged 5.2 rebounds and tallied 32 steals. Offensively, Akpaffiong averaged 7.9 points and tied Franklin for the team-lead with 67 assists.

Now comes the good stuff. The Tigers signed junior-college standout Amanda Lassiter, a 6-1 swing player from Central Arizona. Lassister was a first-team JUCO Kodak All-American last year averaging 16 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals per contest. Several recruiting services consider Lassister the No. 1 small forward coming out of the junior-college ranks.

The Tigers have also added freshman standout Jennifer Simpson from Knoxville, Tenn. The 6-1 all-stater averaged 20.7 ppg. and 7.8 rebounds. Simpson shot over 50 percent from the field and was a 40 percent shooter from three-point range. She was named the MVP of the Tennessee East vs. West All-star Game and represented her state vs. the All-Stars from Georgia.

The Tigers must find a way to replace the departed Kesha Bonds, the second leading rebounder in school history and a top 10 scorer of all-time. Missouri will look towards its second JUCO Kodak All-American signee in Marlena Williams, a 6-0 forward from Peoria, Ill. Williams led her Illinois Central College team to two straight Division II national championships and was named to the all-tournament team of the national tournament. Williams averaged 15 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. She can score from both the perimeter and the block and is a tenacious rebounder.

Also looking to contribute right away will be freshman recruit Wannette Smith from Blue Valley North High School in Overland Park, Kan. Smith is an athletic 6-1 post player who can play both inside and out. She averaged close to eight rebounds and four steals per contest during her high school career.

The Tigers will look to a senior and a freshman for size up front. The senior is 6-2 Sally Albers who sat out last season after transferring to Mizzou from the University of Illinois. Albers has the experience after playing in the Big Ten for three seasons.

The freshman is 6-2 Melissa Statham from Mt. Juliet, Tenn. Statham could make an immediate impact. She runs the floor very well and can score from the perimeter as well as in the paint. She averaged over 17 points and close to 10 rebounds per contest at Mt. Juliet while shooting 58 percent from the floor.

OUTLOOK
Look for Cindy Stein's run-and-gun, all-out blood and guts style of play to take form in 1999-2000. Last year, Stein admitted she just did not have the athleticism to incorporate her style right away.

Offensively, the Tigers averaged 66.4 points per game. Stein would like to see that total increase by some 20 points. Where Helm, Monsees and the departed Bonds were really the only scoring threats last season, Missouri is loaded this season. Helm and Monsees should still get their points, but expect big offensive contributions from Lassister, Williams, Barr and Simpson. Cardenas could very well join that group as well.

The Tigers will get after things defensively, especially with the addition of Lassister, Williams and Statham. Add Akpaffiong to that group and the Tigers will have a lot of quickness to battle some of the big players in the Big 12.

Expect Stein to use up to 10 players regularly, if not more.||