Wake Forest Athletics
2002-03 Women's Basketball Season Preview
11/19/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 19, 2002
After having one of the youngest teams in the conference the last two seasons, the 2002-03 edition of Wake Forest women's basketball possesses valuable experience, leadership and versatility entering the upcoming campaign. All three qualities will be key factors as the team looks to continue the momentum it has steadily been building over the last few seasons.
Head coach Charlene Curtis enters her sixth year with Wake Forest women's basketball. With the large responsibility of rebuilding the program awaiting her arrival in Winston-Salem in 1997, Curtis has been continuously developing the Demon Deacons into an improved squad that can be competitive on a conference and national level.
The team's progress during the Curtis era thus far has always been evident in its improved athleticism, work ethic and level of competitiveness. Progress measured in statistics and, more importantly, wins have been somewhat more difficult to come by. The team has finally begun to see the fruits of its labor, increasing its win total and reaching double-digits in victories the last two years. In fact, the 2002 squad posted the highest number of wins in five seasons with a 12-16 mark. The team's 5-11 ACC ledger was its best conference record since the 1995-96 campaign.
With returning letterwinners at each position and an incoming freshman class that fills holes and provides depth at every spot on the floor, Curtis and her staff have a squad that carries loads of potential and should only improve as the season progresses.
Senior Leadership
The 2003 senior class is headlined by forward Tiffani Listenbee (Clinton Township, Mich.), whose steady improvement over the course of her career has paralleled that of the team's and has placed her in a position of leadership both on and off the court. Over the last two seasons, Listenbee has proven to be a force in the post. The athletic 6-1 forward is a strong rebounder (4.4 rpg last season) and can also score down low - a key factor for the Deacs in the upcoming season. She connected on a team-best 48 percent of her field goal attempts last season.
"We need Tiffani to be consistent for us every time out," said Curtis. "She truly has become better offensively. We need her to be a force on the boards; her rebounding will be huge for us this year. It's also going to be important that she uses her quickness to create things for us defensively."
Perhaps the biggest question mark entering the 2002-03 season is the center position. Gone is four-year starter LaChina Robinson in the middle, as well as backup LaTisha Pearson. The lone returner at the position is senior Johanna Bj?rklund (Stockholm, Sweden). Bj?rklund, at 6-5, brings the most experience to the position, but has averaged just 7.3 minutes a game during her career. Her development as the season goes along will be a key factor in determining the Deacons' lineup.
"Johanna is a non-traditional center in that she's more comfortable facing the basket," said Curtis. "She shoots well facing the basket, and she's an exceptional passer. But this year she has to give us more of a physical presence inside. We are expecting more from her this season, and I think she's ready for that responsibility."
The third member of the senior class is 5-10 forward Heather Miller (Bassett, Va.). Miller was sidelined all of last season with a back injury and although she is still in the latter stages of rehabilitation, Curtis is hopeful Miller will be able to return to action at some point this season.
"Heather is healthier this year and has made very good progress, but she's not yet pain-free," the head coach said. "She's been able to take part in skill workouts that she couldn't do last year, and she's shooting the ball very well."
A strong shooter who has seen action at both guard and forward during her time at Wake, Miller is a versatile player who can provide a scoring spark. But perhaps her biggest asset is her leadership. Even from the sidelines last season, Miller constantly provided encouragement to her teammates, and was honored with the Stacy Cox Coaches Award last season for that valuable support. Away from the court, she represents the Demon Deacon athletic program as a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Council on both the school and conference levels.
"Heather is such a tremendous leader for us, especially off the floor," Curtis said. "She's the kind of person the other players look up to because she's always working hard."
Junior Catalysts
As a group, this season's junior class is the catalyst Curtis expects to spur the Deacons to the next level. A highly-regarded class as freshmen, the foursome made an immediate impact. As sophomores last year, the group played direct roles in Wake's success, as all four led the Deacs in either scoring, rebounding or assists at least twice. In six games last season, WFU's sophomore class led the team in all three categories.
On the wing is 5-10 junior Tracy Alston (Raleigh, N.C.), considered the team's top defender. Alston, who often draws the assignment of covering the opposing team's top player, provides a smothering presence. With that reputation already established after her freshman season, Alston expanded her game as a sophomore, increasing her rebounding and offensive production. She enters the 2002-03 campaign as the team's top returning rebounder, pulling down 4.8 boards per game a year ago. Her field goal percentage of .466 ranked second on the team last season.
"Tracy will be counted on to pull down rebounds, and she'll continue her role as a defensive stopper, but she's also developed offensive skills," Curtis said. "We define her as a slasher, and she's one of our better slashers. She's shooting the ball much better. We're really pleased with what she did in the offseason, as far as continuing to improve her skills."
Junior Bianca Brown (Montclair, N.J.) appears to be the heir apparent at point guard after the Deacons lost two players at that position to graduation - Adell Harris and Val Klopfer. Brown, a speedy 5-8 guard, saw action in all 28 games and started 10 contests in 2001-02. She was named the team's Most Improved Player last season after dramatically increasing her production and court-managing skills from her freshman to sophomore seasons. Brown averaged 4.8 points last season (up from 2.2 the previous year) and seemed to find her touch from beyond the arc, connecting on a team-best 44 percent of her three-point shots. Brown also provides a force on defense as well, tallying 38 steals last season.
"Bianca really emerged last year as a team leader and the one to run the show for us," Curtis said. "She's very focused and has become a better shooter in the offseason. She sets a great example for the team with her work ethic. I think we'll see some big things from her this year."
Junior Tonia Brown (Roanoke, Va.) returns at guard after a stellar sophomore season that saw her break the school record for three-pointers in a season (62) and earn third-team All-ACC honors. Brown, who stands 5-10, also led the team in steals (62), minutes played (30.2 mpg) and ranked second in assists (2.5 apg), and fourth in rebounding (4.3 rpg).
"In addition to scoring, Tonia will be expected to rebound - she was one of our better rebounders from the perimeter last year," Curtis said.
Perhaps the biggest problem for WFU last year was that it relied too much on Brown's point production - often she was the only player putting up double figures in scoring. If Brown keeps up her pace, the continued development of her teammates and the addition of more scorers to the lineup should result in higher point totals this season.
"Tonia had to take a lot of shots last year," said Curtis. "There were times last year we weren't going to score unless she scored. This year, we have more scorers. So for Tonia, it will be more of a matter of shot selection this year. I think it will be easier for her to score because she won't get all the attention defensively. Opponents are not going to be able to concentrate just on her."
Junior Eafton Hill (Boone, N.C.) was the team's top scorer and an ACC All-Freshman selection in 2001, but a mid-season fractured foot slowed her momentum in her sophomore campaign. Hill came back from her injury to post some impressive numbers late in the year (7.1 ppg, 13 blocked shots) and will look to return to her rookie-season form - and beyond - in 2002-03.
"Eafton is coming back with a renewed spirit and a much more aggressive attitude," Curtis said. "She had a good offseason and we need her to be even better than she was as a freshman."
Solid Sophomores
All three members of this year's sophomore class saw significant action as rookies and that should continue into their second season at Wake Forest.
Sophomore Meredith Bell (Waldorf, Md.) is a three-point threat who showed flashes of brilliance last season. She was named ACC Rookie of the Week after scoring 17 points, including five three-pointers at High Point. Bell will be looked to provide more consistency as well as improved ballhandling and defensive skills as a sophomore.
"Meredith is starting to step up as a leader," said Curtis. "She is one of the team's more enthusiastic and vocal players."
Sophomore Erin Ferrell (Gaithersburg, Md.) was another key contributor, often as the first player off the bench. She also started four games last season. A gutsy low-post player who is also capable of stepping out and hitting the three, Ferrell will likely see increased action this season at both forward positions after a solid freshman year.
"Erin is a 'blue-collar' type of player," Curtis said. "She doesn't mind getting dirty, so to speak; she rolls up her sleeves for every practice. She's one of our best post defenders, and she's going to get rebounds because she's so aggressive. She's the kind of player you don't judge by her style but by her results. Erin just gets it done."
One of the more versatile players on the squad is 6-1 Jennifer Johnson (Mt. Juliet, Tenn.). Johnson saw most of her action at forward last year, but really is capable of playing any position on the floor. She is coming off summer surgery on her foot, but should be back to full speed in the early goings of the season.
"Jennifer is running better and feels better," Curtis said. "We need her versatility. She is a good, physical post defender who can also step out on the perimeter and hit the three."
Freshmen of Impact
The Wake Forest coaching staff was very excited about its 2003 recruiting class, and the new crop of freshmen certainly bring impressive credentials into the program. Curtis would not be surprised to see the Deacon rookies make a big impact this season.
"All the players in our freshman class come from successful high school and AAU programs, and they bring a winner's mentality to our team," she said.
One of the new additions is freshman Cotelia Bond-Young (Landover, Md.). The Washington, D.C.-area Player of the Year as a senior at nationally-ranked Elizabeth Seton High School, Bond-Young has the skills to provide an immediate spark to the Deacon offense and will challenge for playing time at point guard.
"Cotelia will be a tremendous addition to the squad," said Curtis. "She has knack for scoring; she's quick, and she has great defensive skills."
Another freshman guard is 5-3 Porsche' Jones (Winston-Salem, N.C.), a local product who led Carver High School to the state championship in 2001. Jones will be an impact player for the Deacs in the years to come, but her debut may be delayed by a knee injury suffered this summer. She is currently rehabilitating after surgery and could start practicing as early as January. Though just a rookie, Jones' leadership skills will be a valuable asset, even during her time on the sideline.
"Porsche' is small in stature but huge in heart," Curtis said. "She has a passion for the game and is a tremendous leader. We're already counting on her leadership."
For the second straight year, Wake Forest welcomes a 6-1 guard/forward from the state of Tennessee. Named Miss Basketball in her home state last year, Liz Strunk (Chattanooga, Tenn.), is a versatile player who has shown prolific scoring capabilities in the preseason.
"I think Liz is going to be a surprise for us this season," said Curtis. "We knew she was a good stand-still shooter, but she's also shown that she could take the ball to the basket, shoot off the dribble, and hit the mid-range jump shot. She's very fundamentally sound."
Center Sandi James (Columbia, Md.) rounds out the rookie class. At 6-6, James is the tallest player in the history of the Wake Forest program. A strong rebounder and shot blocker who played for one of the top AAU programs in the area, James provides depth in the middle and will challenge Bj?rklund for playing time.
"In time, we are going to see Sandi do a lot," Curtis said. "She has good size and a great touch around the basket."
The 2002-03 Schedule
Wake Forest has helped increase the overall strength of the ACC by proving that it can be competitive with every team in the league. The Deacons have had some classic battles with their conference rivals over the last few seasons, including three home victories over North Carolina the last three years, an overtime thriller with Duke in the 2001 ACC Tournament and two overtime games with Virginia the last two seasons.
"Last year's team got a taste of victory in ACC games and they want to improve upon that," Curtis said. "The keys are to focus on the day-to-day preparations and to pick up early-season non-conference wins which will prepare us mentally for the rigors of league play."
Getting off to a strong start will be an important factor for the Deacs. After opening the season in Dallas at SMU's "Hoops for the Cure" Tournament, Wake Forest returns home for a six game homestand in November and December, hosting Marshall, Appalachian State, High Point, IUPUI, UAB and Western Carolina. The Deacons then close out 2002 with regional road games at Radford and UNC Wilmington before diving into league play on Jan. 2 at home against Florida State.
The conference schedule dominates January and February, with the Deacs dipping out of conference one final time to host North Carolina A&T on Feb. 19. The regular season concludes at Georgia Tech on March 3, with the ACC Tournament tipping off later that week in Greensboro.
