KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – Last season, the Oregon Tech women's basketball team surprised the Cascade Conference, posting a 21-win season, reaching the conference tournament semifinals and narrowly missing out on a national tournament berth. First-year head coach Joy Lease returns the bulk of the squad and looks to parlay last season's success into a big 2023-24 campaign.
 
"The first month of practice has been outstanding," Lease said. "Our level of intensity as a group is about where we were at the end of last season, which is a big positive."
 
The squad will have to replace their second-leading scorer, as 3-year starter, Maddyson Tull, has graduated. Tull averaged 14 points and seven rebounds per game, converting 53-percent of her field goal attempts, earning all-conference honors.
 
Despite losing Tull, the Lady Owls return three seniors who will be key on the interior – Alexis Elquist, Jenna Wallace and Kayley Elliott.
 
Wallace averaged three points and three rebounds per game last season, averaging nine minutes a night. Elliott posted four points and four rebounds per game, with Elquist averaging nearly five points and four boards a contest. All three have the ability to stretch defenses to the perimeter – combining to make 28 3-pointers on the season.
 
"Our seniors are going to have a bigger role this season," Lease said. "It's going to look a little different without a player like Maddie who was so comfortable with her back to the basket. We are figuring out ways to play to our current players' strengths."
 
Two freshmen will also be in the rotation – Jozie Ramos and Tatum Schmerbach – each looking to make an impact.
 
Ramos led Baker High to the 2023 4A state title, averaging 20 points, seven rebounds and three blocked shots per game, earning 4A Player of the Year honors. Schmerbach was a 2-time All-Southwest Conference pick at South Medford High, helping her club reach the 6A state title game.
 
"Jozie is going to surprise some people this year and will be a big key," Lease said. "Tatum has flipped a switch and taken her game to an entirely new level – she can handle the ball, she can rebound, she can shoot it, she can attack the basket or play with her back to the basket and is a good decision maker. We are excited to see how they compete against our level of competition."
 
Tech also returns sophomore Ebony McMillan, who saw action in 10 games last season and will vie for minutes off the bench.
 
The forwards and posts will five preseason games prior to the start of the Cascade Conference schedule to find their roles – starting next Saturday night against Division III George Fox.
 
"We have a good, solid core," Lease said. "Our goal is to get out and run and we are excited get after it next Saturday."