The Ducks will Run and Gun

Oregon was 18-16 last season and 7-11 in Pac 10 play. The Ducks were 14-6 at home, partly due to a weak non conference schedule, and played before an average of 2,250 fans. However in Coach Paul Westhead’s first season it was the best Duck record since 2005. Hopes are high for the team that will move into their new arena about Christmas Time.

LOSSES:

Not only did the Ducks lose their top two scorers in Taylor Lilley and Micaela Cocks, but together they scored just under 1,100 points, 40% of all the Duck points this past season. Lilley averaged almost 18 points per game and Cocks just over 14 per game. Lilley also averaged 2 steals and 3 assists per game. Lilley made an amazing 124 threes drilling them at 40%. Also graduated is Lindsey Stafford who averaged 2.5 points per game. Allyah Green, a frosh who didn’t play last season, is no longer on the team.

ADDITIONS:

Ashley Buis is a 5-11 JR, JC transfer from the Midwest. Last season, as a JC player, she averaged 14 points per game which included 69 threes.

Danielle Love is a 6-1 Frosh from the Seattle area. She was HoopGurlz # 61 Forward. As a Sr in High School Love averaged 16 points and 11 rebounds.

Chynna Miley is a 6-2 Frosh from Georgia. Miley once had 14 blocks in a game.

Ariel Thomas is a 5-7 Frosh Guard from Sacramento. She was HoopGurlz # 31 Point Guard. Thomas averaged 26 points and 4.6 assists in her Sr year of High School. Played Travel ball with Stanford’s Sara James.

Deanna Weaver is a 5-11 Frosh Guard or Forward from local Wilcox High School. Averaged 18 points per game in High School and also played Travel ball with Sara James. Was HoopGurlz # 23 Wing.

NON CONFERENCE SCHEDULE:

When the top opponent is St Mary’s, who may not be in the Top 100, all we can say is so weak.

BY POSITION:

POSTS:

Nicole Canepa is a 6-5 Sr from San Francisco. Last season Canepa averaged 9 points and 4.5 rebounds per game, 4th and 3rd on the team respectively. She started only one game, but did play 20 minutes per game. Oregon doesn’t always play with a true Center, and that may or may not be true this season. The loss of Lilley and Cocks may change that a bit. Canepa had a high game of 38 points last season. Favorite athlete in another sport, Buster Posey.

Ellyce Ironmonger is a 6-4 Sr and the back up Center. She played only 20 games last season and only 4.5 minutes per game. As a frosh she started 17 games.

POWER FORWARDS:

Amanda Johnson is a 6-2 Jr who last season was the 3rd leading scorer, 12.7 and leading rebounder, 8.5. She played the post on defense maybe 20 minutes per game. Johnson also hit 42 threes on the year. She is rugged inside and skilled outside.

6-2 Frosh Chynna Miley would be the back up Power Forward, although chances are three Wings would play for Oregon.

WINGS:

Victoria Kenyon is a 6-2 5th year Sr who averaged 7 points and 5 rebounds per game, starting all the Oregon games. Kenyon also made 37 threes at a team high 43%.

Jasmin Holliday is a 6-0 Jr who played every game and averaged 6 points and 6 rebounds in 22 minutes per game.

5-11 Jr and JC transfer Ashley Buis should see a lot of action as a three point shooter, helping to replace Lilley and Cocks. If she can hit threes, and the Ducks are counting on her, she will see quite a bit of playing time.

Deanna Weaver is a 5-11 Frosh who brings some quickness to the Wing position.

5-11 Sr Tatianna Thomas and 5-10 Sr Kristi Fallin both averaged about 6 minutes per game for the Ducks last year.

POINT GUARDS:

Nia Jackson returns to run the Point. The 5-7 4th year Jr was 4th on the team in scoring, 10.5, and first in assists, 3.7 per game. Jackson added a lot of quickness this past season and that was only a year after tearing her ACL. She could be one the Pac 10’s better players this season.

5-7 Frosh Ariel Thomas will be the back up here.

FORECAST:

Huge losses in Lilley and Cocks and a pretty average recruiting year for Oregon. This is Westhead’s second year so his unique system is now firmly in place. The question is does Oregon have the skill to make threes and force turnovers? Something to consider, they could be undefeated entering conference play, and that will give the Duck players all the confidence in the world.