Penn State women's basketball coach Rene Portland discussed the recent departure of junior guard Adrienne Squire at her weekly press conference today. Though she said she has not spoken to Squire, Portland didn't accept responsibility for Squire's decision to leave the team.
"Its unfortunate, but we would've never predicted it," Portland said.
Due to regulations that limit time coaches have access to recruits, Portland said, there may have been a disconnect between the coaching staff and the players recruited as high school seniors in 2004. All the members of that recruiting class have left the Lady Lions program.
"When the communication is not completely there, then that's very unfortunate on both sides," Portland said.
Squire was the last member of the junior class to leave.
Romana Vynuchalova, a 6-foot-4 forward who has declined interview requests, transferred to Oklahoma City University after last season. Amber Bland and Lisa Etienne, who along with Jen Harris were allegedly asked to leave the program following a first-round NCAA Tournament loss in 2005, are no longer Penn State students. Etienne plays basketball at the University of Hartford. Bland plays basketball at North Carolina A&T State University.
Harris, who is a year older than the four departed Lady Lions, currently plays for James Madison University, but her impact is still felt at Penn State. Portland suggested today that the distraction of Harris, who is suing Portland, might have also factored into their decisions to leave.
"The effect of one person on a lot of people," Portland said, presumably referencing Harris. "That was part of the situation. Things begin to snowball."
Sports information director Kris Petersen, when asked to clarify what Portland specifically meant in the statement, had no explanation.
Portland said the so-called "snowball effect" has been stopped at the sophomore, freshman and incoming freshman classes, however.
"I think the program is fine," Portland said. "We need to stay focused on the goals we have and the philosophy we have in the program."
But it will have to carry on without Squire, who was third on the team in both points (11.8) and minutes per game (25.7).
"She was a friend and I like her,” senior center Amanda Brown said. “But she stepped away from us and she stepped away from the program."
Despite Squire's ability as a 3-point shooter, Portland voiced confidence as the team continues this season.
"It is what it is," she said. "We have 11 points that we need to swallow up. I think there are several girls on the team that will rise up to the occasion."
