1999-2000 Women's Basketball Preview
10/26/1999 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Oct. 26, 1999
MOVING FORWARD
In its third year under Head Coach Charlene Curtis, the Wake Forest women's basketball program continues to move closer toward its goal of continued success.
Ever since Charlene Curtis arrived at Wake Forest, there has been a sense of excitement surrounding the start of women's basketball season.
In 1997-98, the arrival of a new coach and the promise of a fresh start brought substantial enthusiasm. Despite not earning a lot of wins, the team's hard work laid a solid foundation for the future. The 1998-99 season brought a different type of excitement, as the Demon Deacons were anxious to begin reaping the benefits of that hard work. The team made significant steps in their journey toward success last year, as an infusion of young talent and a stunning late-season run promised only good things to come.
At the start of the 1999-2000 season, the energy surrounding Curtis' team is at its highest level yet. The team's incredible finish in '99 has only made the Deacs hungrier than ever to turn the corner toward a winning season. With a solid core of young yet talented players returning and some significant additions to the lineup, that goal seems closer than ever before.
"I am genuinely excited in anticipation of this season," said Curtis. "I can feed off the players' excitement, because they are eager and optimistic to get started. The operative word for us is still 'better.' We will be a better team this year than we were last year. We can really build off our performance in the last few games of last season, specifically the ACC Tournament."
Wake's improvement was dramatic over the course of the 98-99 season and at the end of the year, all the pieces suddenly fell in place. Two years of hard work and sweat finally began paying dividends, and the season culminated with a record-breaking performance in the ACC Tournament. A coming-out party of sorts for the Deacs, it proved to fans and to the rest of the ACC that Wake Forest was truly a team on the rise.
The Deacs finished the 1998-99 campaign at 8-20 overall and 3-13 in the ACC, improving on their previous year's record by four wins - all vs. conference foes - and moving up two spots in the league standings. The team was anchored by a trio of seniors, who provided leadership and guidance to an otherwise extremely young team. While those three players - all starters - are now gone, their influence and guidance will continue to be felt in years to come.
The most significant departure is that of Heidi Coleman, the team's starting point guard for four years and one of the most prolific three-point shooters in school history. Emon McMillian, a two-year starter at power forward who led the team in scoring last season, is also gone, as is Jenn Miklic, the team's top defensive player.
"Those are big losses for us," admitted Curtis. "To jump right in and replace that kind of experience is not easy. But we've got several players who are skilled and who have gotten decent minutes coming back. Those players are ready to take on more leadership responsibility, as well as more statistical responsibility."
Wake Forest will field an extremely young team, with nine of 14 players in just their freshman or sophomore years of eligibility. However, this youthful squad will not be lacking in game experience. Curtis regularly used her entire bench in games over the past two seasons, giving underclassmen a significant amount of playing time. The 11 returning Deacons have seen time in a combined 98 percent of their career games, and four of five upperclassmen have played in every single game of their careers (the fifth has missed just one game).
However, while all the returnees have seen valuable minutes, none is a proven go-to player. Ten of the 11 returnees recorded at least one double-figure scoring outing last year, but no player averaged in double figures on the season for the second straight year.
"Again, the question mark is who we can count on consistently to score points," Curtis said. "I still believe we're going to be a balanced scoring team, but instead of having people averaging nine points a game, we've got to have some people step up to average 12 or 15 points a game."
On the positive side, the Deacs return an arsenal of outside shooters who proved deadly from behind the three-point arc last year. In 1998-99, Wake Forest led the ACC and ranked 19th in the nation in threes per game (6.1) and shattered the school records for threes made and attempted in a season. Despite losing Coleman, four players return who hit at least 20 threes last year, and the freshman class brings a few new weapons.
"Three-point shooting will still be one of our strengths," stated Curtis. "We've got post players, wings, and guards that can all shoot the three. With so many outside threats on the floor, we are much more difficult team to defend."
That outside shooting will be complemented by a strong inside game - something Curtis has worked hard to develop since her arrival. Half of this year's team tops the 6-foot mark, with four post players who stand 6-4 or taller.
"I think we're going to be pretty solid inside, which is a tremendous improvement over where we were at the beginning of last year. We return just about everybody there and we've added some new players, so I think we'll match up better with most of the teams in the league."
Guards
Lone senior Alisha Mosley will be looked to as the backcourt leader with the departure of four-year starter Heidi Coleman. Mosley has played in every Wake Forest game over the past three seasons, starting over half of them. She started 21 games at shooting guard last season, but was a bit up-and-down in terms of point production. On the season, she averaged 7.3 points and a team-high-tying 2.1 assists per game.
"Alisha's had a lot of experience in the guard spot," said Curtis. "She worked very hard this summer to continue to improve her skills, and she came back in great shape. What we're hoping is that she can give us some scoring consistency from the first game to the last this year."
After averaging just under two points per game in her first 47 games as a Deacon, junior Janae Whiteside exploded offensively late last season. In the last seven games of the year, she contributed 15 points per game, shooting a blistering 56 percent from three-point range and leading the team in scoring five times. That late-season surge won her a spot in the starting lineup, and a jaw-dropping performance in the ACC Tournament earned her First-Team All-Tournament honors. Whiteside's seven three-pointers vs. Virginia in the ACC Quarterfinals were a new school and tourney record, while her 12 threes in two games were the most ever by a player in an ACC Tournament.
"Janae, I believe, is ready to step in and be a key player for us," Curtis stated. "She really showed a lot of determination in the last three or four games of last season. She will be one of the leaders in our backcourt, and she will definitely be counted on for her three-point shooting."
Sophomore Val Klopfer looks to inherit the starting point guard's position this year after serving as a more-than-capable backup to Coleman last season. In addition to her outstanding ballhandling skills and good court vision, Klopfer boasts a deadly three-point shot and brings added quickness to the backcourt. She averaged 3.5 points per game last year and shot an impressive 38.3 percent from behind the three-point arc.
"I think Val learned a lot playing behind Heidi last year," said Curtis. "She watched, she listened, she absorbed - she was like a sponge. Now she's ready to step in and be one of the primary ballhandlers for us. She'll also give us more scoring, because she can really shoot the ball."
Curtis will also need to find room in the lineup for versatile and athletic sophomore Adell Harris, whose pinpoint passing skills and defensive ability make her a valuable asset. A true playmaker who looks to pass before she shoots, Harris averaged just 1.7 points last year but showed flashes of brilliance. She put on a show-stopping performance in the win over Georgia Tech, dishing 10 assists and making three steals in the last 10 minutes of the game to key the Deacs' come-from-behind win.
"Adell has come back in much better condition this year, and she has continued to work on her skills," said Curtis. "I still believe she can be one of the most crowd-pleasing players on the team. She creates excitement on the court offensively and defensively."
Small Forwards
Still an unproven position for the Demon Deacons, a number of players will challenge for the starting small forward spot this year. Junior Kristen Shaffer, an offensive sparkplug, looks primed to take on that increased responsibility. A hard worker who brings great intensity to the court, Shaffer is a hot shooter who excels in the open court. She played in all 28 games last year, averaging just 2.9 points overall but finishing the season on a strong note.
"Kristen's going to be counted on to give us some valuable minutes this year," stated Curtis. "She will be vying for a starting position, and her playing time will probably be determined by the improvement in her ballhandling skills. She just works so hard all of the time, and you can always find a spot for a player like that in the lineup."
Sophomore Liz Rogers will also challenge for increased playing time at the three spot. Rogers saw limited action last year but proved to be a hard-nosed player who finds ways to get to the basket. She averaged 2.0 points and 1.5 rebounds per game off the bench.
"Liz has worked hard to be in better condition, and it will help her defensively this year," Curtis said. "She gives us someone that's strong taking the ball to the basket. She's a very determined player."
Freshman Heather Miller will bring added scoring punch to the perimeter game as well. An outstanding athlete and a dangerous shooter, Miller scored over 2,300 points in her high school career and won the 18-and-under AAU national three-point shooting title last year.
"Heather can really stroke the three," said Curtis. "She just finds ways to put the ball in the basket. She's really going to be counted on to spot up a lot for us this year. As a freshman, though, she's got to be able to take her game to another level, and that's going to take a little time."
Power Forwards
Redshirt junior Brenda Mock Kirkpatrick has been an invaluable member of the team for three years in terms of her work ethic and leadership. This season, the fourth-year veteran will be looked to for increased on-court production as well. After serving as the top backup to McMillian for two years, Kirkpatrick looks primed to step into a larger role. Though primarily a power forward, she may also see time at small forward to take advantage of her outside shooting ability. Last season, she ranked as the team's fourth-leading scorer (6.5 ppg) and third-leading rebounder (4.0 rpg).
"Each year, Brenda Mock has improved, in terms of her conditioning and agility," stated Curtis. "Her ball-handling skills are also much-improved, which will allow her to play more away from the basket. She's also a three-point shooting threat. Most of all, she's going to provide strong leadership."
After impressive freshman and sophomore campaigns, junior Olivia Dardy will be counted on to step her game up a notch this season. A versatile inside-outside threat who can score both down low and from three-point range, Dardy can play either the three, four, or five position. Curtis plans to use her more inside, however, to take advantage of her quick post moves and strong rebounding ability. Last season, Dardy led the team in rebounding (6.8 rpg) and steals (1.2 spg) and was second in scoring (9.6 ppg). She notched five double-doubles and shot 30 percent from three-point range.
"Olivia's been right at that crest, right under 10 points a game, for two years," said Curtis. "We're really looking for her to step it up and get into double digits this year on a consistent basis. Because we are going to play her more exclusively inside, she'll be counted on to rebound the ball more. She has some of the best hands in the game, and she has such good quick moves around the basket."
Freshman Tiffani Listenbee will provide quickness and athleticism to the low post this year, something the Deacs have lacked in the past. An outstanding rebounder and shot-blocker, she brings both size and speed to the lineup.
"Tiffani's the quickest player on our team," stated Curtis. "She's very athletic. Her primary role this year will be as a defensive player. We'll be able to press more and trap more with her on the floor. She blocks shots, and she can get you an offensive rebound when you need one. She will make things happen on the court."
Centers
Three second-year players and a freshman, all of whom stand at least 6-4, will provide Wake Forest with a solid rotation of big players down low. Two of these players may also see time at the four position, giving Curtis the option of going with a "twin towers" lineup at times.
Sophomore LaChina Robinson returns after starting all 28 games at center last year. An untested player with boundless potential, Robinson was forced to match up against some of the top centers in the nation and truly blossomed, earning a spot on the ACC All-Freshman team. Robinson led the team and ranked eighth in the conference in blocks (0.8 bpg), while providing consistent help on the glass (4.0 rpg). Her offensive skills also continued to develop, and she ranked as the team's third leading scorer in conference games (6.4 ppg ACC).
"LaChina comes back with a year of really good experience, and you can tell that her knowledge of the game is much better," said Curtis. "Her agility is better and her conditioning is better. We're going to look for her to be more of an offensive weapon this year, and its going to be important that her defense continues to improve so that she can stay in games longer."
The tallest player ever to don a Deacon uniform, 6-5 Swedish import Johanna Bj?rklund brings size and international experience to the lineup. A member of the Swedish Junior, Senior and Under-20 National Teams, she will contribute both defensively and offensively as a rookie. Unlike most players her size, however, Bj?rklund can also shoot the long-range three.
"Johanna has great hands," Curtis said. "She passes the ball really well, she can score with either hand around the basket, and she can also shoot the three. I think she will challenge LaChina at the center spot."
Elizabeth Biedrycki will be slowed in the early season by an injury, but the 6-4 sophomore should see time at both center and power forward later in the year. A quick post player with good rebounding and shot-blocking ability, she averaged 2.1 points and 2.2 rebounds as Robinson's backup last year.
"Elizabeth shoots the ball well and has quick moves going to the basket, but we'll be looking for her to be more consistent this year," Curtis stated. "She will probably not play a lot early in the season due to her injury, though, while she's working her way back into condition."
Redshirt freshman LaTisha Pearson will get her first taste of action this season after redshirting the 98-99 campaign for developmental purposes. A quick player with good hands, she has improved her conditioning and agility over the past year and will be used at both the four and the five positions.
"LaTisha gained a lot of valuable experience redshirting last year, watching and learning," said Curtis. "She is much-improved. Her footwork is better, she has really good quickness inside. Her presence on the floor will allow us to be more of a full-court defensive team."
Schedule
Wake Forest kicks off the 1999-2000 season on November 19th at home with a non-conference tilt against Fairfield, then opens ACC play just two weeks later with a road trip to NC State on December 3rd. In addition to the always-challenging ACC slate, Wake faces a solid lineup of non-conference teams to prepare the team for league play.
"In order for us to have a winning season, we have to win non-conference games," said Curtis. "That's a huge key. We've got to win games early, which is what we haven't done in the first two years. It's going to be important that we make a statement with our non-conference schedule this year, and that's a statement to ourselves. I think from there we can build going into conference play. It's very important this year to get on the winning side of that ledger."