A coaching change, the loss of three NAIA All-Americans and seeing four starters graduate probably means a year of rebuilding for a team that reached the national championship game, but not the 2011-12 Lady Panther basketball team.  Head coach Mike Williams has stepped in and kept the success going with much of that being credited to a deep bench and play from many kids who had the role off the bench a year ago.

Through 22 regular season games, the Davenport women's basketball team boasts a record of 20-2 which when looking from the outside would seem pretty normal for a team that has won the last five regular season WHAC championships.  But that record is a reflection of a team that has seen four new starters step in and a brand new cast of newcomers that includes six freshmen who have all seen extensive playing time.

One of those freshmen, Abbey Hengesbach, is second on the team in scoring averaging 12.8 points per game and has provided many great moments down the stretch in a few key games along a current 15 game winning streak. “The depth of our team is surprising to most, but we look to our bench to step up and bring a spark every time we step on the floor. Everyone knows their roles and we play them well and the depth of our bench is amazing and will be huge come tournament time.”

Head coach Mike Williams has seen a steady growth from all of the newcomers, not just the freshman, since the beginning of practice in early October. “Two things have helped us greatly this year; One, Practice time has allowed them to develop as players, learn our system and get used to the college game and level of play.  Two, each game they get playing time they are developing confidence and also getting comfortable playing together. “

Davenport is currently 10-0 in league play and the team is second in the country in scoring offense per game at 84.4.  The defense however has been a huge reason for many of the wins and is something that comes easy to both Hengesbach and Williams. “Biggest thing for me when I come off the bench is to try and bring intensity to the floor on the defensive end first and foremost, added Hengesbach. The offensive aspect is second for me, but I just try and get the ball and our shooters moving and if those things are happening then the game comes to me and I can hopefully connect in the paint.”

From day one on the job, Williams has stressed the importance of defense and to his credit the team is allowing only 64.5 points per night, which is the lowest in the last five years at the school.  Getting the deep bench the reps has been a focus for him and he credits his practices to achieving that on a daily basis. “We basically break them up into 3 groups of five or two teams each day and they compete with each other in drills and situations, said Williams.  We also have a chance to go against group of practice players once or twice a week.  It is a welcome change from practicing against each other all the time, and also lets us try different combinations in practice.”

Hengesbach went on to add that “Coach challenges us to contest with the starters every day in practice, not only to push ourselves but if we don't go hard then it doesn't force our leaders to go hard and be challenged. We have two hours a day to not only go head to head with one another but come together as a whole and push each other to become the best we can be.”

Davenport University is on the final end of a 6-game home stand that sees them host Indiana Tech on Wednesday at 7:30pm before finishing with Siena Heights on Saturday at 3:00pm.