In the south gym of the Bryce Jordan Center, five new faces on the Penn State Women's Basketball team sat in folding metal chairs and awaited a barrage of questions.

With the graduation of three seniors from last year's squad, including WNBA players Helen Darling and Andrea Garner, the Lady Lions will look to a quintet of incoming freshmen to fill holes and bring the team another championship season. The last time five freshmen graced the hard-court for Penn State was the 1996-97 season in which the Lions stumbled to a 15-12 mark and missed the NCAA Tournament.

However, with a nucleus of strong juniors and seniors returning, the coaching staff and players remain confident the addition of freshmen will only augment the skill shown last season by a team that fought its way to the Final Four in Philadelphia.

"We're certainly going to give them the chance and opportunity early to see how well the freshmen develop," Penn State women's basketball coach Rene Portland said. "The first game will certainly be challenging with five freshmen. Our older players are really excited with the freshmen class."

This season's class of freshmen brings impressive credentials to a team already loaded with potential.

Perhaps the player with the most promise is Kelly Mazzante, the 6-foot guard from Montoursville High School. Mazzante garnished numerous honors including third-team Parade All-American and the 17th ranked player coming out of the 2000 class. While leading the Warriors to two state final appearances, Mazzante recorded 3,270 career points, the third highest total in girls' Pennsylvania history.

Although the transition to college basketball has been a big step for the freshman, Mazzante believes she has the ability to play at the next level and play a role with the team.

"That kid (Mazzante) is not afraid to shoot the ball and she finds ways to score," Portland said. "She gives us great speed and anticipation which will help us on the defensive end once we get her into the system."

When the season starts in November, another freshman that could play an important part for Penn State is 6-foot-4 forward Courtney Upshaw from Southport, Conn. Upshaw won All-American praises in her senior season and led her team to the 2000 West division championship.

The daughter of Willie Upshaw, a nine-year major league baseball player with the Toronto Blue Jays, Courtney will look to use her height advantage to control the boards for the Lions.

"Us five freshmen are anxious to get in and let people know Penn State is for real," Upshaw said.

But an even taller freshman will adorn the hard wood when the ball is tipped. Jacquelynn Shook, a 6-foot-5 center from Aurora, Ill., adds another tall presence for Penn State. Shook hails from the same hometown as Penn State guard Ashley Luke and the fictional home of Wayne Campbell and Garth Algar from Wayne's World.

Shook ranks as the second tallest player in Penn State women's basketball history and utilized her height advantage to dominate the glass in high school.

However, with a more physical game at hand, Shook feels she needs to raise her level of intensity.

"I only played a couple of games against girls my height in high school," Shook said. "Now playing college basketball with girls my height has helped me mentally. I could have used that more in high school."

The rest of the freshmen class is rounded out by 5-foot-10 guard Jennifer Brenden from Sauk Rapids, Minn. and 6-foot-1 forward Jessica Brungo from Allison Park, Pa. Brenden is only the second Lion to hail from Minnesota, along with senior forward Maren Walseth. Brungo received Honorable Mention All-American status as a junior at North Allegheny High School.

Even though official practices have not started for the basketball season, the freshmen have been going through rigorous drills with the veteran players to introduce them to the system. Each day a new drill is taught allowing the young players to adapt to the system.

But even more than the teaching of the college game, veteran players have made themselves available off the court to the freshmen. Whether it is emotional support or a friendly ear to listen, the freshmen have been brought into the fold and have been provided with a smooth transition for a team hungry for another run at the National Championship.

"The five freshmen have come in and we haven't skipped a beat from last year," Penn State senior guard Chrissy Falcone said. "I've been through it all. I'm willing to give hugs if anyone needs one."