Published: Saturday, Nov. 15, 2008 / Updated: Saturday, Nov. 15, 2008 01:54 AM

Winthrop women's basketballt team to face Davidson shorthanded

Things have changed in a hurry for Winthrop basketball's Lady Eagles, a team loaded with experienced talent.

They return everyone from last year's 20-12 team. The start of the season -- 3 p.m. today against Davidson and 3 p.m. on Sunday against an opponent to be determined -- comes with more anticipation in program history.

Then, Tuesday afternoon, it unraveled a bit. Seniors Franchesca Davenport and Jennifer Walker, along with junior Shanice Cole were suspended indefinitely. Coach Bud Childers and the Winthrop athletics department have been tight-lipped about the circumstances.

Davenport, a 5-11 small forward, and Walker, a 6-2 center, are starters. Cole, a 5-11 forward, was projected to be the first player off the bench.

How the suspensions affect the team and the season are questions to be answered. The three players are vital components for a team looking to improve on a record-setting season a year ago. The suspensions, paired with injuries and an ineligible player, have forced adjustments to the lineup.

Childers will insert junior Jessica Fansler into the small forward position. Ashley Haugtvedt, a 6-2 senior, will step in at center.

Childers gave a clue on Wednesday as to how long the players would be out. At a dinner event on campus, the coach said his team would be short-handed, and, "It will be a couple, three weeks before we are at full-strength."

Childers said the team had a very good meeting before practice Wednesday, the first time the team gathered after the suspensions were handed down. All three suspended players addressed the team, according to Childers. He said it was quite a moving experience.

The team went on to have one of its most productive practice sessions.

"We have moved on," Childers said. "The team understands the challenge."

The first challenge is Davidson, followed by either North Carolina A&T or Ole Miss on Sunday at the Winthrop Coliseum.

Winthrop has lost the past eight meetings against the Wildcats, including last year's 68-63 loss at Davidson.

Coming off a 19-11 year, the second-most wins in school history, the Wildcats are expected to challenge for the Southern Conference title this year. They return three starters, including Mercedes Robinson, the Southern Conference preseason player of the year.

The senior forward had a breakout junior campaign that saw her record a league-high 14 double-doubles, while pacing the team with a 12.7 scoring average and 8.5 rebounds per game.

"Robinson is a very athletic (small forward). She can drive, and she's a good rebounder," Childers explained.

Ashley Fann and Tiffany Rodd will draw the tough defensive assignment containing Robinson.

With the missing faces, Childers at least has a cast of veterans to call on.

Fansler started three games as a freshman, but was used exclusively off the bench last year.

Haugtvedt, known simply as "H," has been a spot starter throughout her career. She has a nice shooting touch and generally plays 18 to 20 minutes per game. She and sophomore Sarah Scott will get the majority of the minutes at center.

"We will need to be clever and execute a game plan," Childers said Thursday.

The Lady Eagles will have, at most, 10 players for the weekend.

Shelly Hankins is another week away from being cleared to play following knee surgery. Backup point guard Kathi Ryska suffered as concussion last weekend in a scrimmage and has experienced headaches and dizziness. She hadn't practiced through Thursday, but still might be able to contribute a few minutes tonight.

Freshman Tiffany Brown has an eligibility issue to clear up and cannot play.