BY SCOTT
HADDOW
With their spectacular rookie seasons, Katie Goggins and Lisa
Furchner laid a strong foundation for the next generation of
Laurentian University women's basketball teams.
And the foundation is as solid as rock.
Goggins and Furchner exceeded all expectations as they stepped
up and took on prominent roles in tough positions.
Goggins dazzled as a point guard, growing all season into an
on-court leader.
Furchner sizzled as a power forward, developing into a true
on-court presence down low.
Both players made the OUA East Division Rookie Team and Goggins
was named OUA East Top Rookie.
"They have a bright future," said head coach Mike Clarke. "I
would be shocked if they weren't OUA All Stars in the next
couple of years...they have the potential to be All Canadians
as well. We can build around them and we're set up nice for the
future. They came in with the right attitude and responded to
the challenge."
Goggins played 22 games and averaged 9.1 points-per-game (PPG),
including a number of 20-point games. She also tallied 100
total rebounds and was tied for first on Laurentian with 54
assists.
"It was a good first year and I really enjoyed the competition
I faced," said the Lockerby graduate. "There's no room for any
kind of errors at this level. It was the right move for me. My
speed helped me adjust the most. I just wanted to get better
with each game. In high school, I played a lot of different
sports and didn't focus on basketball and now I am. It's been
great just to concentrate on basketball and get better at it
with each practice and game."
Furchner also played 22 games and averaged 8.4 PPG to total 185
points. She also registered 142 total rebounds.
"Just being on the court as much as I was this season really
stood out for me," said the Lasalle graduate. "I was a rookie,
but I played a lot. I gained a lot of valuable experience. To
have earned that trust from the coaching staff was encouraging
for me. I have no regrets coming here. It was quite the jump
from high school. It's a lot more physical. In high school, I
was one of the biggest players around, but now there's bigger
girls than me (Furchner stands six-feet tall) and I have to
bang them around. It was a tough transition, but I did it and I
enjoyed the challenge."
Goggins had plenty to learn.
"Playing point guard can be hard," said the five-foot-five
player. "You have to be an on-court leader...it comes with the
position. I'm not loud or verbal, but I had to be to yell out
plays. There's a lot of split-second decision making to
endure...sometimes it could mean the difference between winning
and losing. I grew into the role slowly. It was the right
challenge for me...I want to become a leader."
Goggins has speed to burn, among other assets.
"Katie's athleticism stands out," said Clarke. "She's
explosively quick and can blow by anyone in the OUA. She's the
fastest guard I've seen all year in the OUA. Katie changed our
whole tempo and we really needed it. She also makes incredible
athletic plays over and over again, and it was energizing to
the team. She's a gamer on defence too...she can take over
games on the defensive side. Katie's only going to get
better."
Furchner is also loaded with great talents.
"Lisa's development was typical of rookie big players in this
league...she has all the tools and it just took her some time
to adjust to the pace," said Clarke. "In the second half, Lisa
really started to come around and show her potential. She has
size and strength, but also agility and co-ordination. She's
also very athletic and I think she will explode next season big
time."
Both players have accepted their fate that they will be the
main cogs in the Lady Vees' machine for seasons to come.
"Lisa and I want the pressure...we can handle it," said
Goggins. "With experience and time, I believe we will grow into
the bigger roles and lead this team in the future."
Furchner couldn't help but echo her teammates thoughts.
"We realize what level we have to be at to compete at this
level," said Furchner. "We expect a lot out of ourselves,
especially next season. We want to make an even bigger impact.
We want the challenge of leading this team. We love the feeling
of being counted on to help a team win. The big thing is
winning a national championship...that would be awesome."
Goggins and Furchner are no strangers. Both played on the
Sudbury Lakers teams for six years, and met one another, as
rivals, on the high school courts.
"We've always been friends and appreciated each others
talents," said Goggins. "We have the same classes now and it's
great to have a friend on the team to break into the OUA
with."
