SEATTLE – Rumor has it that even the players and coaches needed a game program.
The University of Washington women’s basketball team lost seven letterwinners from last year’s 22-8 team that made it to the 2003 NCAA Tournament. Besides graduated seniors Loree Payne, Kellie Dalan, Emily Autrey, Cheryl Sorenson and Alicia Heathcote, the Huskies won’t have guard Kayla Burt (retired, heart condition), post Sarah Keeler (retired, knee problems) and post Kirsten Brockman (retired, foot stress fractures).
Not only that, but Kristen O’Neill has a stress fracture in one of her feet and probably won’t be available until the Pacific-10 Conference season starts in late December. Ditto guard Erica Schelly, whose broken foot needed surgery in October.
It all means many who played little or none last season will need to come through.
Coach June Daugherty, understandably, builds her team around senior guard Giuliana Mendiola, the Pac-10’s Player of the Year in 2002-03. In addition, senior post Andrea Lalum will need to come up with a career year in both scoring and rebounding.
That’s because those surrounding her have had little (read: NO) playing time in the past. The roster includes five true freshmen and two redshirt freshmen.
“The team is different,” said Mendiola, displaying her vast gift for understatement. “Personality-wise it’s very different. We have always done a good job of fitting in with each other. Despite the different personalities, we’re jelling as a team.”
Helping matters is the inspired play of Lalum, named the MVP of the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort Classic in leading the Huskies to two wins and the title. Lalum averaged 24.5 points, including a career-high 28 in the opener.
Lalum, a superb perimeter shooter, has been asked to take her game inside and be more of a force in the paint. She’ll need to increase last year’s average of 4.5 rebounds a game.
“I’m spending more time down there and it’s getting easier for me,” Lalum said. “It’s fun now. It’s nice to get down there and stay down there and work on my moves that I have developed the past few months.”
Senior Gioconda Mendiola has been starting in O’Neill’s place at point and adds tenacity and toughness. A dogged defensive player, Gioconda Mendiola also is a fine passer who is developing an outside shot.
Redshirt freshmen Jill Bell and Angie Jones are coming off injuries, but look to see plenty of playing time. Jones tore up a knee and Bell had thumb surgery.
Inexperience on the front line is a concern, although Bell has shown a nose for offensive rebounding.
True freshman Breanne Watson has started alongside Lalum at forward, averaging eight points and 5.5 rebounds a game. Another true freshman, Cameo Hicks, has started as the third guard.
Coming off the bench is freshman forward Maggie O’Hara, who had six points and five rebounds (four on the offensive end) against Lipscomb in the tournament’s title game. Guard Nicole Castro, who saw some valuable playing time last season, has shown a fine all-round game.
Daugherty sees a team that will place a greater value on defense than last season. Lalum will need to be a consistent rebounder, as will Giuliana Mendiola. The guards will be called on to pick up as the opposing ballhandlers cross the halfcourt line.
Also, look for a greater emphasis on the fullcourt press.
“We definitely want to extend our defense and create turnovers,” Daugherty said.
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