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Shepherd women rejoin conference schedule

By Bob Madison - For the Chronicle | Jan 7, 2022

SHEPHERDSTOWN — After having an exhibition game versus Liberty (Va.) cancelled by COVID-19 Pandemic complications, the high-flying Shepherd women’s team is scheduled to see California (owners of an 8-1 overall record in games through Jan. 3) at the Butcher Center on Monday, at 5:30 p.m.

Shepherd was scheduled to begin the post-Christmas portion of its schedule this past Wednesday at Millersville, a team with only one win on the season. And then the Rams, showing a 10-1 record before the scheduled Millersville game, are to be at home tomorrow at 1 p.m. against West Chester, a rival also from the East Division of the PSAC.

An important Atlantic Region ranking finds Shepherd at No. 3. The Region ranking is used when the NCAA selects teams to play in the postseason Atlantic Regional that leads to the Division II national championship.

Before the holiday break from games and the cancellation involving Liberty, the Rams had their 10-game winning snapped on the road versus Seton Hill. That loss came with only one day of rest after the Rams defeated nationally ranked Indiana on the road. Seton Hill prevailed, 61-59, and it was actually the last time Shepherd played before it was to resume its schedule at Millersville just two days ago.

The high-scoring threesome of Abby Beeman, Marley McLaughlin and Sydney Clayton have continued to give the Rams the scoring to win games.

Beeman averages 19 points and 6.4 rebounds per game from her point guard position. She has made 91.4 percent of her free throws. McLaughlin scores 18.3 points and converts just over 80 percent of her free throws and Clayton has a 17-point scoring average, along with a team-leading 7.9 rebounds per game. The senior center has made 86.7 percent of her free throws.

Forward Hannah Myers has returned to the lineup after missing several games and joins with freshman Megan Shipley to complete the usual starting lineup.

Cara Minor and Jordan Smith, both juniors, have been coach Jenna Eckleberry’s most-used reserves, giving the Rams ready experience when a starter goes out.

Madi White and McKenzie Freeze have also provided positive minutes as non-starters.

As the Christmas and mid-year break took over the 2021-2022 schedule, Shepherd was atop the PSAC’s East Division with only one loss.

With a 4-1 conference record at the resumption of the schedule, the Rams are just ahead of Kutztown and its 3-1 conference mark.

In the West Division, both Indiana and Gannon have each lost only one game this season. And both lost to Shepherd, at least partially accounting for the Rams high Regional rating. Seton Hill also has a lone conference loss to actually tie Indiana and Gannon with 4-1 league records. Seton Hill is 10-4 overall.

COVID-19 still lurks around every corner and near gyms and arenas, so complications could play havoc with games scheduled for January and February.

If schedules can be played as written on paper, Shepherd has the scorers and overall experience to do the necessary work on the court. But what happens away from the court could cause detours, alterations or cancellations as the year 2022 goes against the smothering defense of the COVID-19 Pandemic onslaught.SHEPHERDSTOWN — After having an exhibition game versus Liberty (Va.) cancelled by COVID-19 Pandemic complications, the high-flying Shepherd women’s team is scheduled to see California (owners of an 8-1 overall record in games through Jan. 3) at the Butcher Center on Monday, at 5:30 p.m.

Shepherd was scheduled to begin the post-Christmas portion of its schedule this past Wednesday at Millersville, a team with only one win on the season. And then the Rams, showing a 10-1 record before the scheduled Millersville game, are to be at home tomorrow at 1 p.m. against West Chester, a rival also from the East Division of the PSAC.

An important Atlantic Region ranking finds Shepherd at No. 3. The Region ranking is used when the NCAA selects teams to play in the postseason Atlantic Regional that leads to the Division II national championship.

Before the holiday break from games and the cancellation involving Liberty, the Rams had their 10-game winning snapped on the road versus Seton Hill. That loss came with only one day of rest after the Rams defeated nationally ranked Indiana on the road. Seton Hill prevailed, 61-59, and it was actually the last time Shepherd played before it was to resume its schedule at Millersville just two days ago.

The high-scoring threesome of Abby Beeman, Marley McLaughlin and Sydney Clayton have continued to give the Rams the scoring to win games.

Beeman averages 19 points and 6.4 rebounds per game from her point guard position. She has made 91.4 percent of her free throws. McLaughlin scores 18.3 points and converts just over 80 percent of her free throws and Clayton has a 17-point scoring average, along with a team-leading 7.9 rebounds per game. The senior center has made 86.7 percent of her free throws.

Forward Hannah Myers has returned to the lineup after missing several games and joins with freshman Megan Shipley to complete the usual starting lineup.

Cara Minor and Jordan Smith, both juniors, have been coach Jenna Eckleberry’s most-used reserves, giving the Rams ready experience when a starter goes out.

Madi White and McKenzie Freeze have also provided positive minutes as non-starters.

As the Christmas and mid-year break took over the 2021-2022 schedule, Shepherd was atop the PSAC’s East Division with only one loss.

With a 4-1 conference record at the resumption of the schedule, the Rams are just ahead of Kutztown and its 3-1 conference mark.

In the West Division, both Indiana and Gannon have each lost only one game this season. And both lost to Shepherd, at least partially accounting for the Rams high Regional rating. Seton Hill also has a lone conference loss to actually tie Indiana and Gannon with 4-1 league records. Seton Hill is 10-4 overall.

COVID still lurks around every corner and near gyms and arenas, so complications could play havoc with games scheduled for January and February.

If schedules can be played as written on paper, Shepherd has the scorers and overall experience to do the necessary work on the court. But what happens away from the court could cause detours, alterations or cancellations as the year 2022 goes against the smothering defense of the COVID-19 Pandemic onslaught.