College Spotlight: Albright's Thomas on rise

The Albright women’s basketball team is 19-2 overall and 11-1 in MAC Commonwealth games. The Lions have won their last seven, all conference victories.

One of the key performers on the squad is junior Shannon Thomas (Dallastown). The 5-foot-9 guard is third on the team in scoring (10.3 points) and has 58 rebounds, 62 assists, 18 steals and 14 blocked shots. And, she’s hit 33-of-92 from 3-point range (.359). Thomas had 20 points and five assists in a 66-59 victory over Lebanon Valley last week and posted a season-high 21 points in an 86-60 triumph over Widener earlier in the season.

“Shannon is really starting to be more consistent in her performance as we head into the final regular season games,” coach Janice Luck said. “She sets the tone for our intensity. When she plays hard on both ends of the floor, so does the team.”

Pennell's on a roll 

Lancaster Bible’s Krissy Pennell is one of the top women in NCAA Division III in assists, but the junior guard knows how to put the ball in the basket, as well.

Pennell (Eastern York) is second in Division III in both assists per game (8.4) and in total assists (152). But her assists have shared the spotlight with her scoring the past few games. She had 19 points and 13 assists in a victory against Cazenovia, 15 points and 12 assists in a triumph against St. Elizabeth, and 16 points and nine assists in a victory over Gallaudet. Tuesday, she had 20 points, four assists, five steals and five rebounds in a 78-70 triumph over Penn State-Abington.

“Krissy has grown tremendously over the season and has become a leader on the court,” coach Katelyn Vanderhoff said.

The Chargers are 16-3 overall and in first place in the North Eastern Athletic Conference Southern Division with a 13-1 record.

“The way Krissy is playing has helped us elevate our team to another level,” Vanderhoff said.

Lehman working hard 

Sophomore Brian Lehman (Dover) is competing in the shot put and weight throw with the Pitt-Johnstown men's indoor track team. He kicked off the season with a 39-08 3/4 effort in the weight throw at the Edinboro Invitational on Jan.16. He also threw the shot put 31-08.  He followed that up by tossing the shot an improved distance of 35-8 3/4 in the Youngstown Open in Youngstown, Ohio.

“Brian is a hard worker and he comes to practice ready to throw,” coach Carl Keifer said. “He is making very good progress and he has his goals set high.”