Southeast Missouri State women's basketball coach says to expect few changes to next season's roster

First-year Southeast Missouri State women's basketball coach Ty Margenthaler said next season's roster should look similar to the 2010-11 version with two exceptions.

Margenthaler said guards Jasmine Davis and Monica Miller, who would have been juniors, decided to leave the program. He doesn't believe they plan to play basketball anywhere else.

That means the Redhawks likely will have a 13-player roster for the 2011-12 campaign, consisting of 11 returnees and two incoming freshmen signed by the previous coaching staff, including all-state guard Allyson Bradshaw from Notre Dame Regional High School.

"I expect everybody else [other than Davis and Miller] to be back," Margenthaler said.

Southeast still has two scholarships available. Margenthaler said he doesn't envision using them for next season, although he wouldn't rule out adding a transfer if a suitable one becomes available.

"Getting here so late, it's really difficult to bring somebody in that would make a difference," said Margenthaler, who was hired April 14.

Davis averaged 5.2 points in 26 games, including 10 starts, last season. She still appeared slowed from surgery for a torn ACL that ended her impressive freshman campaign after just 13 games.

Miller averaged 0.6 points in 16 contests off the bench during an injury-plagued sophomore season.

Taylor impressive

Margenthaler said forward Brooke Taylor, Southeast's top recruit last year who missed the entire season with a blood disorder, looked good during individual workouts he was able to have with the players before the school year ended.

Margenthaler said Taylor appears to be over her health issues. She still has four years of eligibility left.

"I've been really impressed with her," Margenthaler said. "I think people will enjoy watching her play."

Schedule close

Margenthaler said he is close to finalizing the 2011-12 schedule. The Redhawks tentatively are slated to open the season at North Carolina State.

"We're still waiting on some contracts to come back, including that one," Margenthaler said. "I think we'll have a good schedule. We're trying to play some regional teams."