USC was 24-13 last season, going all the way to the Finals of the WNIT before losing. They were 10-8 in Pac 10 play, tying Arizona for 4th place.
Michael Cooper returns for his 3rd season as has had an overall record at USC of 43-25 with a 3rd place finish in the Pac 10 his first season. Expectations are high this year as most, including this writer, pick USC for 2nd behind Stanford.
Laura Beeman is in her 2nd year as an Assistant after being a local JC head Coach for 15 years.
Mary Wooley returns for her 3rd season as an Assistant and Michael Cooper Jr will be in his 2nd season as an Assistant.
Losses:
Post Kari LaPlante who scored 6 points and had 6 rebounds per game graduated. Guard Len’Nique Brown who scored 3 points per game, playing every game, did not return.
Returning Players:
USC returns an All Star line-up for the first Pac 12 season. Brianna Gilbreath is a 6-1 Sr Wing, who led the team in scoring, 14 per game, and rebounding 7 per game and steals, twice as many as the next player. She also takes care of the ball with a 1.25:1 assist to turnover ratio. Brianna was All Pac 10 for the second year in a row and named to the All Pac 10 defensive team for the 2nd year in a row, after being the Defensive Player of the Year as a Soph. She was also Honorable Mention All American, the first USC player named in 14 years. She was a McDonald’s All American in High School
Christina Marinacci is a 6-1 Jr Forward who averaged 8 points and 7 rebounds per game last season. Christina was also a McDonald’s All American in High School.
Stepanie Gilbreath is a 6-1 Wing and a Redshirt JR. Stepanie missed her first 3 seasons at USC with knee injuries, finally debuting as a true Sr. She could play another year after this season. She was only able to play 13 games last year, her first, but scored a point every other minute. A McDonald’s All American in High School, if healthy she will add a lot to the Trojans cause.
Cassie Harberts is a 6-2 Soph who is a natural power Forward but will probably play mostly in the Post. As a frosh Cassie averaged 10 points and 6 rebounds a game and was 2nd in total minutes. She was the # 11 recruit in the country out of High School.
Ashley Corral is a 5-9 Sr Point Guard. Ashley was the Trojans # 2 scorer last year at 13 points per game and sank 85 threes at a 37% rate. She also had a very good
1.3 to 1 assist to turnover ratio. Ashley has made 223 threes in her career at USC, first in their record book. She was a McDonald’s All American in High School.
Jackie Gemelos is a 6-0 Guard and what a story. Jackie averaged 39 points per game as a High School Sr and was ranked the # 1 player in the country and a McDonald’s All American. Then she missed her first 3 years of college entirely to finally play Feb 4th of Sr year. She is now in her 6th year and pursuing her Masters in Gerontology. This is the study of the Social, Psychological and Biological aspects of aging. She has a 3.5 GPA in the Masters program. Last season her first full season and in the Masters program she averaged 12 points and 5 rebounds a game and hit 52 threes at 42%.
Desiree Bradley is a 6-1 Soph Forward who averaged 5 minutes per game. She was ranked # 35 out of High School.
Thaddesia Southall is a 6-4 Redshirt Frosh Post. She missed last season with a knee injury. Thaddesia was ranked # 99 out of High School.
Michelle Jenkins is a 6-3 Redshirt Jr post player who is expected to sit out this season with an injury. She missed most of last season and all of her Soph season with a knee injury. If she can come back later in the season it would really help the Trojans depth.
New Players:
Ariya Crook (formally Crook-Williams) is a 5-7 Frosh Point Guard who was a McDonald’s All American and ranked the # 2 Point Guard out of High School and # 16 overall.
Alexya Vaioletama is a 6-1 Frosh Forward. Still another McDonald’s All American, and ranked # 14 out of High School.
USC will have 3 new players sit out the season for various reasons. 6-4 Jr Kate Oliver is a transfer from Marist and must sit out this season then she will have 2 seasons to play. The Australian native started all but 9 games for Marist, ranked 21 last season, in her two years. Last season she averaged 8 points, 4 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game.
Deanna Calhoun is a 6-3 Frosh post player who will sit out the season recovering from a knee injury. She was the # 34 Forward out of High School.
Kiki Alofaituli is a 6-1 Frosh Wing who signed a Letter of Intent with ASU. She was released but must sit out this season. She was the # 26 player out of High School and a teammate of Vaioletema at famed Mater Dei High School.
The Schedule:
A very hard schedule. The Trojans host Fresno State, travel to Nebraska and Georgia, then to the Bahamas for a tournament facing Notre Dame and probably Duke. Then at Gonzaga and at Texas A&M. They could be a very good team and 5-5 when the league starts. They don’t travel to Oregon and Utah and Colorado doesn’t visit LA.
The Season:
USC has 7 McDonald’s All Americans and counting what we know already 5 players who have missed 10 seasons with knee injuries. If healthy and that’s a pretty big if, then could be very good with their best team in years.
October 27, 2011
October 18, 2011
The Bruins have new Leadership
Last year UCLA was 28-5 overall, with losses to Stanford 3 times, LSU by 2 and to Gonzaga in the NCAAs. They also beat Notre Dame in double Overtime at Notre Dame. UCLA was 2nd in Pac 10 play, at 16-2.
Nikki Caldwell moved on after 3 seasons at UCLA and is replaced by Cori Close. Close was a 4 year starter at UCSB after graduating from Milpitas High School. After UCSB she was an Assistant and UCLA for 2 years while getting her Masters. She then coached at UCSB for 9 years going to the NCAA the last 8, not sure why not Year 1 as they won their league. Then she moved on to Florida State as the Associate Head Coach for 7 years. She has been to the Elite 8 with Florida State and the Sweet 16 with UCSB.
Shannon Perry is a new Assistant after 5 years at Duke and 4 at USC. She is a Southern California native.
Tony Newman moves to UCLA from Westmont College in Santa Barbara where he coached for the past 8 seasons. He has coached at Oregon State and coached at UCSB for 7 seasons, mostly with Close.
Jenny Huth was a three time a Big 12 selection at Colorado. She has coached at Oakland College in Michigan and coached for several years with Close at Florida State, while getting her Masters degree.
Losses:
Jasmine Dixon is a 5-11 SR Forward but out for the year with an injury. She was the 2nd leading scorer by a tenth of a point, 12 per game and the leading rebounder, 7 per game. This is a huge loss.
Darxia Morris was the leading scorer at 12 per game and hit the most threes although only 29.
Dorenna Campbell averaged 9 points per game.
Nina Earl saw limited action, 10 minutes per game although she contributed more her first two years.
Christina Nzekwe was their only post player with experience, played 13 minutes per game and averaged 2 points and 3 rebounds.
There was also the loss of two excellent recruits when Caldwell left. Center Justine Hartman went to Cal. Hartman is a 6-3 Center who was ranked # 7, 8 and 38 by the three services.
Also signing with the Bruins then getting her release was Sheila Boykin a tough Forward who ended up with Caldwell at LSU. She was ranked # 27, 53 and 63 out of High School.
Returning Players:
Markel Walker is a 6-1 JR Guard/Forward who averaged 8 points and 5 rebounds and 3 assists per game. She was All Pac 10 Frosh and a McDonalds All American in High School.
Atonye Nyingifa is 5-11 JR Forward who averaged 9 points and 5 rebounds. She was All Pac 10 Frosh then missed a year with a knee injury.
Rebekah Gardner is a 6-1 Sr Guard who averaged 8 points per game and was 2nd on the team with 23 threes. 23 is a pretty low number but she converted at 35%.
Thea Lemberger is a 5-7 Soph Point Guard who played limited minutes as a Frosh last season. However she could well be the starting Point Guard this season for the Bruins.
Corinne Costa is a 6-4 Soph Center who averaged just 7 minutes per game.
Mariah Williams is a 5-4 or so JR Point Guard who has been a back up Point Guard her first 2 seasons.
Rhema Perry is a 6-1 Soph Forward and Rebekah’s sister.
New Players:
Moriah Faulk is a 5-10 Frosh Guard , ranked # 93 in High School. She should see playing time at both Guard spots.
Kacy Swain is a 6-3 Soph Wing who was ranked 12, 20 and 25. Swain is not a banger but at 6-3 will have to play some inside. She is an excellent shooter from 14-17 feet.
Alexis Perry is a 5-5 Frosh Guard, ranked # 97. Sadly she was recently injured and out for the season.
The Schedule:
UCLA is in the pre season WNIT and if they win their first two games they would play Baylor and if they win would probably play Notre Dame. They also play West Virginia, San Diego State, LSU with Caldwell and Tennessee. The Bruins do not travel to Oregon and Utah and Colorado do play travel to LA.
The Season:
Losing the top three scorers and then two of their top three recruits will really hurt.
Nikki Caldwell moved on after 3 seasons at UCLA and is replaced by Cori Close. Close was a 4 year starter at UCSB after graduating from Milpitas High School. After UCSB she was an Assistant and UCLA for 2 years while getting her Masters. She then coached at UCSB for 9 years going to the NCAA the last 8, not sure why not Year 1 as they won their league. Then she moved on to Florida State as the Associate Head Coach for 7 years. She has been to the Elite 8 with Florida State and the Sweet 16 with UCSB.
Shannon Perry is a new Assistant after 5 years at Duke and 4 at USC. She is a Southern California native.
Tony Newman moves to UCLA from Westmont College in Santa Barbara where he coached for the past 8 seasons. He has coached at Oregon State and coached at UCSB for 7 seasons, mostly with Close.
Jenny Huth was a three time a Big 12 selection at Colorado. She has coached at Oakland College in Michigan and coached for several years with Close at Florida State, while getting her Masters degree.
Losses:
Jasmine Dixon is a 5-11 SR Forward but out for the year with an injury. She was the 2nd leading scorer by a tenth of a point, 12 per game and the leading rebounder, 7 per game. This is a huge loss.
Darxia Morris was the leading scorer at 12 per game and hit the most threes although only 29.
Dorenna Campbell averaged 9 points per game.
Nina Earl saw limited action, 10 minutes per game although she contributed more her first two years.
Christina Nzekwe was their only post player with experience, played 13 minutes per game and averaged 2 points and 3 rebounds.
There was also the loss of two excellent recruits when Caldwell left. Center Justine Hartman went to Cal. Hartman is a 6-3 Center who was ranked # 7, 8 and 38 by the three services.
Also signing with the Bruins then getting her release was Sheila Boykin a tough Forward who ended up with Caldwell at LSU. She was ranked # 27, 53 and 63 out of High School.
Returning Players:
Markel Walker is a 6-1 JR Guard/Forward who averaged 8 points and 5 rebounds and 3 assists per game. She was All Pac 10 Frosh and a McDonalds All American in High School.
Atonye Nyingifa is 5-11 JR Forward who averaged 9 points and 5 rebounds. She was All Pac 10 Frosh then missed a year with a knee injury.
Rebekah Gardner is a 6-1 Sr Guard who averaged 8 points per game and was 2nd on the team with 23 threes. 23 is a pretty low number but she converted at 35%.
Thea Lemberger is a 5-7 Soph Point Guard who played limited minutes as a Frosh last season. However she could well be the starting Point Guard this season for the Bruins.
Corinne Costa is a 6-4 Soph Center who averaged just 7 minutes per game.
Mariah Williams is a 5-4 or so JR Point Guard who has been a back up Point Guard her first 2 seasons.
Rhema Perry is a 6-1 Soph Forward and Rebekah’s sister.
New Players:
Moriah Faulk is a 5-10 Frosh Guard , ranked # 93 in High School. She should see playing time at both Guard spots.
Kacy Swain is a 6-3 Soph Wing who was ranked 12, 20 and 25. Swain is not a banger but at 6-3 will have to play some inside. She is an excellent shooter from 14-17 feet.
Alexis Perry is a 5-5 Frosh Guard, ranked # 97. Sadly she was recently injured and out for the season.
The Schedule:
UCLA is in the pre season WNIT and if they win their first two games they would play Baylor and if they win would probably play Notre Dame. They also play West Virginia, San Diego State, LSU with Caldwell and Tennessee. The Bruins do not travel to Oregon and Utah and Colorado do play travel to LA.
The Season:
Losing the top three scorers and then two of their top three recruits will really hurt.
October 13, 2011
The Washington State Cougars
June Daugherty returns for her 5th season as the Head Coach. It’s been a struggle as last season’s 6-12 conference record, tying for 7th place, was the Coughers best finish in 10 years. Overall WSU was 8-23 this past season.
Mike Daugherty returns for his 5th year as the Associate Head Coach. Mo Hines returns for his 5th year and is also finishing his undergrad degree at WSU. Brian Holsinger returns for his 5th season. Great continuity for the Cougars.
Losses:
The losses are not major. Katie Madison was a solid rebounder, 5 a game, and also scored 5 points per game.
Lexie Peterson played only 55 minutes on the season.
New Players:
Shalie Dheensaw is a 6-3 Frosh Post from Canada. Shalie played on the Canadian 16U and 17U teams.
Jordan Kelley is a 5-9 Frosh Guard from Wyoming. She was a top 40 Parade All American and the State Player of the Year. She was ranked # 266.
Tia Presley is a 5-9 Frosh Guard from Spokane who was not ranked out of High School.
Returning Players:
Washington State returns its top 7 scorers from last year and 9 of the top 10. So they will have a very veteran team. Sage Romberg is a 6-1 Soph Forward who was the leading scorer last season at almost 10 points per game. Sage was also 3rd in rebounding at 5 per game in a rotation where 10 players played between 8 and 26 minutes per game. Sage was 2nd on the team with 41 threes at 40%. She was named to the Frosh all Pac 10 team. Sage ranked as high as # 72 out of High School.
Jazmine Perkins is a 5-10 Sr Guard who scored 9 points per game and led the team in rebounding with 5 per game. Perkins also led the team in steals and has averaged 2 a game over her 3 years. The Cougars need Perkins to get back to scoring as she did as Frosh averaging 14 per game.
Carly Noyes is a 6-5 Jr Center and started every game last season. Carly averaged 8 points and 4 rebounds and easily lead the team in blocks with 43.
Three players will fight it out for the final 2 Guard spots. Ireti Amojo is a 5-10 Soph Guard who started 21 games last season averaging 9 points per game. She hit a team high 48 threes at 33%.
April Cook is a 5-8 Sr Point Guard who averaged 6 points, but less than 2 assists per game. Cook was the # 84 player out of High School. In her first two seasons at Washington State Cook averaged 14 points per game and hit 89 threes.
Hana Potter is a 6-2 Soph Post who averaged 6 points and 4 rebounds per game. Hana was rated the # 43 Post out of High School.
Rosetta Adzasu is a 5-5 Sr Point Guard who averaged 6 points per game and led the team in assist at 3.3 per game. She had 1: .85 assist to turnover ratio, tops on the team.
Brandi Thomas is a 6-1 Soph Wing who averaged 2 points and 2 rebounds appearing in every game and started several. Brandi was a very good Triple Jumper is High School and was All State of Washington in Basketball.
Rosie Tarnowski is a 6-1 Sr Wing who didn’t play much last year, only 8 minutes per game. As a Frosh Rosie stared most games and averaged 7 points per game.
Katie Grad is a 5-8 JR Guard who also played just 8 minutes per game. Katie was All State of Washington in High School.
The Schedule:
Tough, very tough. At Penn State, at Bobbie Kelsey’s Wisconsin, at Ohio State, home to Gonzaga, San Diego State and Louisville. Then at a Tournament against Marquette and Michigan. Stanford and Cal don’t travel to Pullman and the Cougars don’t travel to Utah or Colorado.
The Season:
The Cougars have to hope for a return of April Cook and Jazmine Perkins to their form during their first 2 years in Pullman. Or it’ll be another long season for June and the Cougars. Having said that, Cook and Perkins can be outstanding in their Sr year.
Mike Daugherty returns for his 5th year as the Associate Head Coach. Mo Hines returns for his 5th year and is also finishing his undergrad degree at WSU. Brian Holsinger returns for his 5th season. Great continuity for the Cougars.
Losses:
The losses are not major. Katie Madison was a solid rebounder, 5 a game, and also scored 5 points per game.
Lexie Peterson played only 55 minutes on the season.
New Players:
Shalie Dheensaw is a 6-3 Frosh Post from Canada. Shalie played on the Canadian 16U and 17U teams.
Jordan Kelley is a 5-9 Frosh Guard from Wyoming. She was a top 40 Parade All American and the State Player of the Year. She was ranked # 266.
Tia Presley is a 5-9 Frosh Guard from Spokane who was not ranked out of High School.
Returning Players:
Washington State returns its top 7 scorers from last year and 9 of the top 10. So they will have a very veteran team. Sage Romberg is a 6-1 Soph Forward who was the leading scorer last season at almost 10 points per game. Sage was also 3rd in rebounding at 5 per game in a rotation where 10 players played between 8 and 26 minutes per game. Sage was 2nd on the team with 41 threes at 40%. She was named to the Frosh all Pac 10 team. Sage ranked as high as # 72 out of High School.
Jazmine Perkins is a 5-10 Sr Guard who scored 9 points per game and led the team in rebounding with 5 per game. Perkins also led the team in steals and has averaged 2 a game over her 3 years. The Cougars need Perkins to get back to scoring as she did as Frosh averaging 14 per game.
Carly Noyes is a 6-5 Jr Center and started every game last season. Carly averaged 8 points and 4 rebounds and easily lead the team in blocks with 43.
Three players will fight it out for the final 2 Guard spots. Ireti Amojo is a 5-10 Soph Guard who started 21 games last season averaging 9 points per game. She hit a team high 48 threes at 33%.
April Cook is a 5-8 Sr Point Guard who averaged 6 points, but less than 2 assists per game. Cook was the # 84 player out of High School. In her first two seasons at Washington State Cook averaged 14 points per game and hit 89 threes.
Hana Potter is a 6-2 Soph Post who averaged 6 points and 4 rebounds per game. Hana was rated the # 43 Post out of High School.
Rosetta Adzasu is a 5-5 Sr Point Guard who averaged 6 points per game and led the team in assist at 3.3 per game. She had 1: .85 assist to turnover ratio, tops on the team.
Brandi Thomas is a 6-1 Soph Wing who averaged 2 points and 2 rebounds appearing in every game and started several. Brandi was a very good Triple Jumper is High School and was All State of Washington in Basketball.
Rosie Tarnowski is a 6-1 Sr Wing who didn’t play much last year, only 8 minutes per game. As a Frosh Rosie stared most games and averaged 7 points per game.
Katie Grad is a 5-8 JR Guard who also played just 8 minutes per game. Katie was All State of Washington in High School.
The Schedule:
Tough, very tough. At Penn State, at Bobbie Kelsey’s Wisconsin, at Ohio State, home to Gonzaga, San Diego State and Louisville. Then at a Tournament against Marquette and Michigan. Stanford and Cal don’t travel to Pullman and the Cougars don’t travel to Utah or Colorado.
The Season:
The Cougars have to hope for a return of April Cook and Jazmine Perkins to their form during their first 2 years in Pullman. Or it’ll be another long season for June and the Cougars. Having said that, Cook and Perkins can be outstanding in their Sr year.
October 7, 2011
The Utah Utes join the Pac 12
Utah joins Colorado as the newest Pac 12 members; however Utah seems to be the much stronger team at this time, especially with their post players. The Utah Utes have made the NCAA tournament 5 times in the past 9 seasons. Without looking I believe in the former Pac 10 only Stanford can claim that many appearances over the same timeframe.
Anthony Levrets begins his 2nd season as the Head Coach after going 18-17 in his first season and then winning the Mountain West Conference Tournament and advancing to the NCAA tournament. He was an Assistant at Utah then became interim coach a year ago. He is now the permanent Head Coach. Velaida Harris returns for her 3rd year as an Assistant Coach. Matt Legerski returns for his 9th season as an Assistant. Willette White joins the staff having been an Assistant at Oregon the past 3 seasons. From 1993 to 2000 she was the Head Assistant at UCLA.
Losses:
Former Stanford player Michelle Harrison has moved on, I believe now with her Masters degree. Last season she averaged 5 points and 7 rebounds per game. Michelle is their only loss.
New Players:
Cheyenne Wilson is a 5-11 Frosh Guard from Seattle. Wilson was the State of Washington 3A Player of the Year, and averaged 19 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists in her Jr season in High School.
Rachel Morris is a 6-4 Center from Eastern Nevada, and ranked # 212 in the nation. She holds the Nevada State record for career blocks and averaged 12 points, 10 rebounds and 5 blocks as a Jr.
Returning Players:
11 returning players for Utah, although one, 6-3 Post Taryn Wicijowski played only three games last season due to a knee injury. First of all keep in mind that after Taryn went down Utah scored only 58 points per game. So points per game will be on the low side. Having said that, Taryn averaged 11 points and 9 rebounds in the 3 games. In the previous season, as a Frosh, she averaged 15 points and 6 rebounds and was Frosh of the year in the Mountain West. She also played for the Canadian Jr National team, 19U and in a game against the USA team had 16 rebounds. The 6-3 Redshirt Soph is a great addition to the Pac 12.
Iwalani Rodrigues is a 5-9 JR with 3 years left after redshirting as a Frosh. She averaged 3 points a game as a redshirt Frosh then last year, wow. She averaged 15 points per game this past season hitting 110 threes at an amazing 45%. Now a big time player and may be the best three point shooter in the Pac 12.
Michelle Plouffe is a 6-4 Soph who took over for Taryn W in the post last season and averaged 14 points and 7 rebounds per game as a true Frosh. I’m not sure who plays where, but Taryn W and Plouffe give the Utes two great post players. Plouffe also played on a Canadian National team last year.
The returning Point Guard is 5-7 Sr Janita Badon who averaged 13 points, 7 rebounds and nearly 6 assists per game this past season. Badon is the only Sr on the team. Many returning players and only one Sr for Utah.
Diana Rolniak is a 6-4 Jr Post player who started 24 games last season at the 4. Diana averaged 3 points and 5 rebounds per game and lead the team in blocked shots.
Rachel Messer is a 5-9 Jr guard who averaged 5 points per game and had a solid 1.5 assist to turnover ratio as a back up. Rachel did start 8 games. She was a decent three point shooter, 35 made at 31%.
Brittany Knighton is a 6-0 Soph guard who started 6 games, averaging 3 points per game.
Chelsea Bridgewater is a 6-0 Jr forward who averaged 10 minutes per game.
Three other players return, all of whom saw limited action last season.
The Schedule:
Utah plays Michigan, Arkansas, BYU and New Mexico State. In league play they don’t travel to LA, and skip the Washington schools at home. A pretty good schedule. One thing to watch is attendance and the affect of joining the Pac 12. Utah drew only 1,000 per game last season.
The Season:
I think Utah will have quite an effect in the Pac 12. Good Post players, good Guards and experience. It’ll be interesting to see who they bump down to the 2nd division.
Anthony Levrets begins his 2nd season as the Head Coach after going 18-17 in his first season and then winning the Mountain West Conference Tournament and advancing to the NCAA tournament. He was an Assistant at Utah then became interim coach a year ago. He is now the permanent Head Coach. Velaida Harris returns for her 3rd year as an Assistant Coach. Matt Legerski returns for his 9th season as an Assistant. Willette White joins the staff having been an Assistant at Oregon the past 3 seasons. From 1993 to 2000 she was the Head Assistant at UCLA.
Losses:
Former Stanford player Michelle Harrison has moved on, I believe now with her Masters degree. Last season she averaged 5 points and 7 rebounds per game. Michelle is their only loss.
New Players:
Cheyenne Wilson is a 5-11 Frosh Guard from Seattle. Wilson was the State of Washington 3A Player of the Year, and averaged 19 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists in her Jr season in High School.
Rachel Morris is a 6-4 Center from Eastern Nevada, and ranked # 212 in the nation. She holds the Nevada State record for career blocks and averaged 12 points, 10 rebounds and 5 blocks as a Jr.
Returning Players:
11 returning players for Utah, although one, 6-3 Post Taryn Wicijowski played only three games last season due to a knee injury. First of all keep in mind that after Taryn went down Utah scored only 58 points per game. So points per game will be on the low side. Having said that, Taryn averaged 11 points and 9 rebounds in the 3 games. In the previous season, as a Frosh, she averaged 15 points and 6 rebounds and was Frosh of the year in the Mountain West. She also played for the Canadian Jr National team, 19U and in a game against the USA team had 16 rebounds. The 6-3 Redshirt Soph is a great addition to the Pac 12.
Iwalani Rodrigues is a 5-9 JR with 3 years left after redshirting as a Frosh. She averaged 3 points a game as a redshirt Frosh then last year, wow. She averaged 15 points per game this past season hitting 110 threes at an amazing 45%. Now a big time player and may be the best three point shooter in the Pac 12.
Michelle Plouffe is a 6-4 Soph who took over for Taryn W in the post last season and averaged 14 points and 7 rebounds per game as a true Frosh. I’m not sure who plays where, but Taryn W and Plouffe give the Utes two great post players. Plouffe also played on a Canadian National team last year.
The returning Point Guard is 5-7 Sr Janita Badon who averaged 13 points, 7 rebounds and nearly 6 assists per game this past season. Badon is the only Sr on the team. Many returning players and only one Sr for Utah.
Diana Rolniak is a 6-4 Jr Post player who started 24 games last season at the 4. Diana averaged 3 points and 5 rebounds per game and lead the team in blocked shots.
Rachel Messer is a 5-9 Jr guard who averaged 5 points per game and had a solid 1.5 assist to turnover ratio as a back up. Rachel did start 8 games. She was a decent three point shooter, 35 made at 31%.
Brittany Knighton is a 6-0 Soph guard who started 6 games, averaging 3 points per game.
Chelsea Bridgewater is a 6-0 Jr forward who averaged 10 minutes per game.
Three other players return, all of whom saw limited action last season.
The Schedule:
Utah plays Michigan, Arkansas, BYU and New Mexico State. In league play they don’t travel to LA, and skip the Washington schools at home. A pretty good schedule. One thing to watch is attendance and the affect of joining the Pac 12. Utah drew only 1,000 per game last season.
The Season:
I think Utah will have quite an effect in the Pac 12. Good Post players, good Guards and experience. It’ll be interesting to see who they bump down to the 2nd division.
October 4, 2011
Let’s talk Paul Ball
Paul Westhead begins his 3rd season as Head Coach of the Oregon Ducks. His coaching style is pure run and gun and outscore the other team. With great three point shooting in Westhead’s first year the Ducks were 18-16, but last season the Ducks were 13-17 overall and 4-14 and 9th place in the Pac 10.
Dan Muscatell returns for his 3rd year an Assistant after being Head Coach at Sacramento State for 6 years. Keila Whittington also returns for her 3rd year as an Assistant Coach. Shandrika Lee is new to the staff, coming from coming Army to replace Kai Felton who is now at Cal.
Losses:
It’s a bit amazing that a team can lose 7 players like Oregon did from last year’s team thru graduation and yet not have big losses. However Oregon while losing 7 returns 5 of their top 6 scorers. Players with few minutes who graduated, Ellyce Ironmonger who only played one game, Candyce Flynn who averaged 3 minutes per game and Tatianna Thomas, once HoopGurlz # 31 PG who averaged 3 points in 11 minutes per game.
The other 4 losses must be replaced by a good Frosh class. Nicole Canepa averaged 5 points in 15 minutes and 3 rebounds. Ashley Buis averaged 6 points in 15 minutes. Victoria Kenyon averaged 5 points and 4 rebounds in 21 minutes. Kristi Fallin averaged 7 points and 3 rebounds in 19 minutes.
Returning Players:
Nia Jackson is a 5-7 Sr and returns as the starting Point Guard. She was injured and missed the last 9 games but hopefully is 100% for the start of the season. Jackson averaged 17 points, 5 assists and 4 rebounds per game. She was also All Pac 10.
Ariel Thomas is a 5-6 Soph who started when Jackson couldn’t, although I would guess they both are starters this year especially after Thomas ended the season so well. Over the whole season, despite being mostly off the bench, Thomas averaged 8 points per game, 3rd on the team. When starting the last 5 games Thomas averaged 14 points and 4 assists.
Amanda Johnson is a 6-2 Sr and was the leading scorer, 16 points per game, and rebounder, 8 per game, for the Ducks. She also had the most 3’s, 49, although at only 28%. Johnson graduated last year after less than 3 years. She is getting her Masters now.
Jasmin Holliday is a 6-0 Sr, who started most games last season while averaging 7 points, 5th on the team, and 5 rebounds per game. Her brothers are and have been excellent college players.
Deanna Weaver is a 5-11 Soph from Wilcox High School in Santa Clara. Weaver was 6th on the team in scoring, 7 points per game, and 4th in rebounding, 4 per game.
These 5 players should be the starters, barring a Frosh taking over. 2 other returnees are 6-2 Soph Danielle Love who averaged 3 points and 3 rebounds per game, starting 9 games. Also 6-2 Soph Chynna Miley who played sparingly last season returns.
New Players:
Meagan Carpenter is a 6-4 Frosh Center from Colorado. Last season in High School she averaged 15 points, 13 rebounds and 4.5 blocks per game. She was the # 243 player in the country.
Amanda Delgado is a 5-7 Frosh Guard from Nevada where she was the State Gatorade Player of the Year. She averaged 16 points and 4 assists last year in High School and Westhead recruited her for her 3 point shooting. She was the # 248 player.
Jordan Loera is a 5-9 Frosh combo Guard from Washington. A personal note, I first saw her play as a 7th grader, holding her on an excellent Travel team with Redmon, Kingma and WSU’s Noyes. And she fit right in. Loera was a 4 year starter in High School scoring almost 2,000 points. She averaged 18 per game last season. She was the # 102 player in the nation last year. She is also a track performer, and is super athletic with a great 3 point shoot.
Janitah Iamaleava is a 6-2 Frosh Center from Long Beach, CA. As a Sr she averaged 13points and 9 rebounds per game. Was the # 13 Post player and # 163 overall. A good three point shooter.
Lexie Peterson is a 5-11 Frosh Wing from Washington. 2nd place 2 years ago at the State Track Meet in the Triple Jump. Like Loera, Peterson is very fast. She had a great offer list and chose the Ducks. A Point Guard on her Travel team, and she is an excellent three point shooter, she was the # 143 player.
Schedule:
A pretty weak schedule with Illinois and Fresno State being the highlights. Oregon doesn’t travel to the Arizona schools or host the LA schools.
The Season:
4 of 5 starters return and they add at least two fine frosh in the backcourt. They did a Frosh post to step up. With the weak non conference schedule, and their Pac 12 schedule, this could well be a winning team, even a team with 20 wins.
Dan Muscatell returns for his 3rd year an Assistant after being Head Coach at Sacramento State for 6 years. Keila Whittington also returns for her 3rd year as an Assistant Coach. Shandrika Lee is new to the staff, coming from coming Army to replace Kai Felton who is now at Cal.
Losses:
It’s a bit amazing that a team can lose 7 players like Oregon did from last year’s team thru graduation and yet not have big losses. However Oregon while losing 7 returns 5 of their top 6 scorers. Players with few minutes who graduated, Ellyce Ironmonger who only played one game, Candyce Flynn who averaged 3 minutes per game and Tatianna Thomas, once HoopGurlz # 31 PG who averaged 3 points in 11 minutes per game.
The other 4 losses must be replaced by a good Frosh class. Nicole Canepa averaged 5 points in 15 minutes and 3 rebounds. Ashley Buis averaged 6 points in 15 minutes. Victoria Kenyon averaged 5 points and 4 rebounds in 21 minutes. Kristi Fallin averaged 7 points and 3 rebounds in 19 minutes.
Returning Players:
Nia Jackson is a 5-7 Sr and returns as the starting Point Guard. She was injured and missed the last 9 games but hopefully is 100% for the start of the season. Jackson averaged 17 points, 5 assists and 4 rebounds per game. She was also All Pac 10.
Ariel Thomas is a 5-6 Soph who started when Jackson couldn’t, although I would guess they both are starters this year especially after Thomas ended the season so well. Over the whole season, despite being mostly off the bench, Thomas averaged 8 points per game, 3rd on the team. When starting the last 5 games Thomas averaged 14 points and 4 assists.
Amanda Johnson is a 6-2 Sr and was the leading scorer, 16 points per game, and rebounder, 8 per game, for the Ducks. She also had the most 3’s, 49, although at only 28%. Johnson graduated last year after less than 3 years. She is getting her Masters now.
Jasmin Holliday is a 6-0 Sr, who started most games last season while averaging 7 points, 5th on the team, and 5 rebounds per game. Her brothers are and have been excellent college players.
Deanna Weaver is a 5-11 Soph from Wilcox High School in Santa Clara. Weaver was 6th on the team in scoring, 7 points per game, and 4th in rebounding, 4 per game.
These 5 players should be the starters, barring a Frosh taking over. 2 other returnees are 6-2 Soph Danielle Love who averaged 3 points and 3 rebounds per game, starting 9 games. Also 6-2 Soph Chynna Miley who played sparingly last season returns.
New Players:
Meagan Carpenter is a 6-4 Frosh Center from Colorado. Last season in High School she averaged 15 points, 13 rebounds and 4.5 blocks per game. She was the # 243 player in the country.
Amanda Delgado is a 5-7 Frosh Guard from Nevada where she was the State Gatorade Player of the Year. She averaged 16 points and 4 assists last year in High School and Westhead recruited her for her 3 point shooting. She was the # 248 player.
Jordan Loera is a 5-9 Frosh combo Guard from Washington. A personal note, I first saw her play as a 7th grader, holding her on an excellent Travel team with Redmon, Kingma and WSU’s Noyes. And she fit right in. Loera was a 4 year starter in High School scoring almost 2,000 points. She averaged 18 per game last season. She was the # 102 player in the nation last year. She is also a track performer, and is super athletic with a great 3 point shoot.
Janitah Iamaleava is a 6-2 Frosh Center from Long Beach, CA. As a Sr she averaged 13points and 9 rebounds per game. Was the # 13 Post player and # 163 overall. A good three point shooter.
Lexie Peterson is a 5-11 Frosh Wing from Washington. 2nd place 2 years ago at the State Track Meet in the Triple Jump. Like Loera, Peterson is very fast. She had a great offer list and chose the Ducks. A Point Guard on her Travel team, and she is an excellent three point shooter, she was the # 143 player.
Schedule:
A pretty weak schedule with Illinois and Fresno State being the highlights. Oregon doesn’t travel to the Arizona schools or host the LA schools.
The Season:
4 of 5 starters return and they add at least two fine frosh in the backcourt. They did a Frosh post to step up. With the weak non conference schedule, and their Pac 12 schedule, this could well be a winning team, even a team with 20 wins.
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