Second place just a start, Smith says

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Southeast Missouri State University women's basketball coach B.J. Smith hopes this landmark Division I season for the Otahkians is just the beginning of a blossoming Ohio Valley Conference powerhouse.

The confident Smith, whose first season at Southeast ended with Saturday's 85-61 loss to Austin Peay in the finals of the OVC Tournament, fully expects it to be.

"That's the plan," Smith said with a smile moments after Saturday's defeat. "I think this is just the beginning. We're going to get it done."

Southeast (19-11) equaled the program's most wins since moving up to Division I and joining the OVC in 1991-92. The Otahkians' second-place OVC regular-season finish this year was their best ever. And never before this season had they reached the conference tournament title contest.

"It was a good year, there were a lot of firsts this year, and the girls have a lot to be proud of," Smith said. "But I came to Southeast to go to the NCAA Tournament and be successful there."Southeast had its most successful Division I season this year despite featuring an almost brand-new roster that included just two returning players in forward Lori Chase and guard LaShelle Porter, the squad's only seniors.

Losing two players

Chase was Southeast's second-leading scorer at more than 13 points per game and the Otahkians' top rebounder as she concluded a brilliant career that saw her finish third on the school's career points list.

Porter, another four-year performer for the Otahkians, was a key role player either starting or coming off the bench.

"We'll miss Lori and LaShelle," Smith said. "It was a great year for them. They had to adapt to me, and they toughed it out. I'm really proud of the way they handled themselves in a tough situation.

"The seniors laid the foundation. Ten years from now, hopefully they'll be able to look back and say they helped start it all for us."

Southeast's nine other players are eligible to return, led by junior guard Kenja White, the OVC Newcomer of the year who paced the Otahkians' in scoring with nearly 14 points per game.

Also averaging in double figures this season were junior forwards Carina Souza and Yashika Sidbury at nearly 12 and 11 points, respectively.

Junior point guard Sarah Costello battled early injuries to become one of the OVC's leaders in assists and steals, while freshman point guard Tiffanne Ryan had a solid rookie season in starting for Costello at times and backing her up most of the year.

Junior guard Natasha Starkes and junior forward Miah Shelford both had their moments primarily in reserve roles, freshman forward Shannon Proffit showed promise and redshirt freshman center Tanya Guell -- who missed all of last season with a knee injury -- played little but figures to have a chance to contribute more in the future.

Ready to step in next season will be junior forward Louise McGoldrick, who was being counted on heavily this year but redshirted with a leg injury. And Smith has already signed talented recruits for next season, with several more to be added during the spring signing period.

"We're excited about the kids we have coming back, the ones we signed and the ones we're going to sign," Smith said. "We're going to get it done."

mmishow@semissourian.com

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