Wake Forest Athletics
Women's Basketball 1998-99 Outlook
6/21/1999 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
November 3, 1998
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.--By simply looking at the record of the Wake Forest women's basketball team last season, one might assume that the Demon Deacons are not a team to be too concerned about in 1998-99. A dangerous assumption, for sure. For hiding behind that 4-23 mark last season was a fresh start to an ailing program, a mountain of hard work, a world of progress, and the beginnings of a bright future for the Deacs. After experiencing the growing pains that accompany any true rebuilding effort, second-year head coach Charlene Curtis expects to see her team take a big step this year towards long-term success. And while the Deacs may still be a few years away from being an NCAA contender, they plan to be a significant roadblock for many an opponent this season.
In her first season at the helm of the WFU program, Curtis sought to lay a solid foundation on which to build a successful program for years to come. The Deacs took major strides toward that goal in 1997-98, as freshmen and seniors alike spent the year adjusting to new coaches, new offensive and defensive schemes, and a rigorous conditioning regimen. As they began to get comfortable in Curtis' new system, the Deacs' play improved dramatically. Just as things started coming together, however, they headed into a brutal ACC schedule which featured five Top 25 teams. Although Wake Forest went winless in the league, the team turned in some outstanding performances in heartbreaking losses, losing five ACC games by five points or less.
Regardless of her team's record, Curtis feels good about the Deacs' progress in a year which was never about wins and losses.
"Last year our goals were to establish a true concept of team play, a higher level of intensity, and a consistent work ethic," Curtis says. "I though we accomplished all of those. Although we weren't able to win games once we got into conference play, we competed in every game, every time out.
"I thought all year that we were a pretty good defensive team," she continues. "We kept the opponents' offensive output at a level that allowed us to compete. We also made great strides in our rebounding game. What we lacked, though, was consistent scoring from specific players. We didn't have that player we could go to consistently from night to night when we really needed a bucket. The fact that we ended the season with nobody in double figures, I think, is truly evident of our need for some scorers."
The Deacons graduated just two players from last year's squad, returning 93 percent of their scoring, 90 percent of their rebounding, and four starters. In addition, Curtis' first recruiting class brings six talented newcomers, all of whom should push the returnees for playing time. With a solid foundation for success now in place, the Deacons' emphasis in 1998-99 will be on improving their technique and fundamentals. The team will rely on defense and rebounding as its strengths, while still searching for that go-to player who can provide a much-needed offensive boost.
"We will be a much improved team from last year, in terms of our consistency and our ability to play at a high level," Curtis states, "but our skill level has to improve. Our ballhandling has to improve, we have to become better shooters, and we have to find two or three players that are going to be consistent scorers for us. We will be extremely young, but in some ways that will be a strength. Youthful enthusiasm can be very positive. Our practices are going to be very competitive, because we've got a lot of young players who want to play and are willing to compete with the older players for that opportunity."
GUARDS
The Deacons will continue to rely on point guard Heidi Coleman, a fifth-year senior, as their anchor. Coleman is a veteran floor general who has started 55 straight games over the past two seasons, logging more time on the floor than any other Deacon (35 mpg). A versatile athlete and a talented ballhandler, Coleman led the team in scoring last season (9.4 ppg) and shared the team lead in both assists (2.1 apg) and steals (1.4 spg). A deadly three-point shooter, she connected on 57 of 166 treys (.343) and led the ACC in threes per game with 2.1 per outing. She scored in double figures in 13 games, leading the team in scoring seven times and knocking down a career-high 27 points vs. Campbell.
"Heidi is our best returning ballhandler, but she's also our best three-point shooter," commented Curtis. "One of our keys this year is to find ways for her to get more shots and to relieve her of some of her ballhandling responsibilities"
Also returning is junior Alisha Mosley, who started 18 games at shooting guard last year. An ACC All-Rookie pick in 1995-96, Mosley averaged 7.6 points per game last year while tying for the team lead in assists (2.1 apg) and steals (1.4 apg). After scoring in double figures in four of the first six games, Mosley hit a shooting slump and struggled during the midseason stretch. She rebounded late in the year, however, notching five double-digit outings in the last seven games, including a career-best 18 points at Georgia Tech. Mosley's defensive play also improved significantly over the course of the season.
"We've challenged Alisha to become a better ballhandler in order to relieve some of Heidi's responsibilities," Curtis states, "and we're hoping she'll return to form as far as shooting and scoring. We need her to help us put some points on the board."
Sophomore Janae Whiteside backed up Coleman and Mosley last season at both point and shooting guard, demonstrating solid leadership. After shaking off some minor injuries which slowed her early in the year, Whiteside averaged 1.6 and 1.0 rebounds in just under nine minutes per game. She will look to carve herself a larger role this year, both as a shooter and a ballhandler.
"Janae is a good three-point shooter, and we're hoping she'll be able to bring that element to our program this year," says Curtis. "She is a good leader on the floor and a hard worker."
Two talented freshmen guards will push the returnees for playing time. Val Klopfer is a skilled ballhandler and a talented playmaker who should challenge Coleman at the point. A Street & Smith honorable mention high school All-American, Klopfer has good court vision plays with great intensity. Local product Adell Harris, the MVP of last year's North Carolina East-West All-Star game, is a versatile and athletic guard who should also see significant action. She has three-point range and can penetrate for a short pull-up jumper, but the strength of Harris' game is truly her pinpoint passing.
SWING PLAYERS
Returning at small forward is senior Jenn Miklic, the Deacs' top defensive stopper in 1997-98. Miklic started Wake's last 17 games, averaging 2.4 points and 2.0 rebounds per outing. An aggressive athlete with tremendous endurance, Miklic was assigned to cover some of the ACC's top scorers last season and stepped up to the challenge. Her best performance came in the Deacs' heartbreaking 61-60 loss to No. 23 Clemson, where she effectively shut down three-point gunner Amy Geren for much of the game.
"Jenn's contribution again this year will be her defense and her ability to run the floor offensively," said Curtis.
"She's truly going to be looked upon as a defensive stopper. She'll receive specific assignments against some of the top players in the conference."
Sophomore Kristen Shaffer is a versatile athlete who can play both the two and the three positions. An energetic player who brings great intensity to the court, Shaffer played in all 27 games last season, starting one. She averaged 5.4 points in just under 15 minutes of court time per game, scoring in double figures seven times and leading the team in scoring on three occasions. A pure shooter, Shaffer proved be a dangerous offensive weapon when she got hot, particularly in open court.
"Kristen brings a high energy level to the team, and she helps us in our open court game," stated Curtis. "When she's on the floor we're able to run more and create more in the open court. She's definitely capable of having some big scoring nights."
Freshman Liz Rogers will also compete for time at either the small forward or two-guard position. The two-time North Carolina Independent School Player of the Year, Rogers is a great competitor with solid shooting and ballhandling skills.
POST PLAYERS
Anchoring the Deacons down low will be senior Emon McMillian, an athletic post player with a solid inside game. McMillian earned the starting job at power forward last year and was the Deacs' most consistent player in the paint. She was the squad's top rebounder with 6.7 boards per game - eighth-best in the ACC - and the second-leading overall scorer (8.4 ppg). She led the team in rebounding 16 times and posted three double-doubles, including a 20-point, 10-rebound outing vs. North Carolina.
"Emon made tremendous improvements during last season, and she had a good spring," stated Curtis. "She's increased her shooting range, and she's gotten physically stronger. I see her being more of a defensive factor for us this year."
One of the brightest spots of last season was the play of sophomore forward Olivia Dardy, who blossomed into one of the top rookies in the ACC. Dardy played in all 27 games, starting one, and was the team's leading scorer (8.8 ppg) and rebounder (6.7 rpg) in conference play. She led Wake in scoring in five of the last eight games and was the top rebounder in seven of the last 14 outings. A versatile player with a strong inside game and three-point range, Dardy scored in double figures 10 times and netted three double-doubles. She capped the year with a dazzling 26-point, eight-rebound performance vs. Georgia Tech in the ACC Tourney and was chosen to ACC Athlete's All-Freshman Team.
"This is the year for Olivia to really put it all together," Curtis said. "I see her as being a real inside-outside threat for us. She can score with her back to the basket, she has quick moves, and she posts up strong down low. But she can also step away and hit a long three-pointer. I think she'll draw our opponent's best defender this year."
Another second-year player, redshirt sophomore Brenda Mock Kirkpatrick, will also look to play a larger role in the post this year. A smart, intense player, Kirkpatrick consistently provided a spark off the bench for Wake Forest last season. She averaged 3.4 points and 2.9 rebounds per game in 13 minutes of action after missing her rookie year with a knee injury.
"Brenda Mock is a tenacious player. She never says never, and she never quits. She's also got good quickness for a post player. I see her assuming somewhat more of a leadership role this year."
Three freshmen centers, all standing 6'4", round out the Deacon frontcourt. All three will be looked to for strong defensive play inside as well as help on the boards. Elizabeth Biedrycki, the most experienced of the three, is a skilled rebounder who can also score down low. LaChina Robinson is a solid defensive player and shot-blocker who can score from 15 feet and in, while LaTisha Pearson is an athletic player with good rebounding skills and a strong defensive presence.
SCHEDULE
The Demon Deacons open the season with a road game at Virginia Commonwealth on November 14th before returning to Winston-Salem for their home opener vs. Davidson on Nov. 17th. The team will play in two holiday tournaments, traveling to Fairfield University just after Thanksgiving and then to Cal-Berkeley right before Christmas. The Deacs open the ACC slate at Virginia on Dec. 4th. The conference looks to be one of the nation's best again this year, providing a real challenge for the Deacs as they seek to climb up the ACC ladder. Curtis feels her team is up to the challenge, however.
"It would not surprise me if the conference coaches and media select us as the ninth team going into the season," she says. "However, we don't plan to be there at the end of the year."
