Fresno State Athletics
Women's Basketball Gears Up For New Season
10/21/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Oct. 21, 2003
FRESNO, Calif.- Gone is leading scorer and rebounder Omelogo Udeze. Four-year starter Lindsay Logan, Fresno State's career leader in three-pointers and assists, won't be around either. Java Johnson, the team's midseason spark from a year ago, has played her final game. The lights are out in the North Gym too.
And on top of all that, Fresno State can wave goodbye to something else it won't have at the start of this year- a sixth straight losing season.
That's because after last season's storybook campaign, the Bulldogs finally snapped their streak of five consecutive losing seasons in style. Fresno State completed one of its best seasons (and perhaps most memorable) in school history last year, finishing with a 21-13 overall record. Not bad for a squad that closed out the previous season at 9-20.
So naturally with the team preparing for its inaugural season in the Save Mart Center, the excitement surrounding the program remains at its highest level. Now that women's basketball has once again resurfaced as one of the school's most-watched programs, it's time for the Bulldogs to build on last year's success. It's just that there will be several new architects working on the project, as Fresno State's roster includes just seven returning players.
Fresno State lost five seniors to graduation while another key contributor from last year's team, Java Johnson, elected to concentrate on a professional volleyball career. Only one player- senior Chanie Sutherland- remains from the starting lineup Fresno State used in its final game of last year in a WNIT quarterfinal loss against Baylor.
There are five players on Fresno State's current roster of 12 that did not wear a Bulldog uniform last year. Two more played in less than 20 games.
"I think it is really important to keep the success of last season in perspective," explained second-year head coach Stacy Johnson-Klein, who is responsible for transforming the Bulldogs from a losing team to a contender in just her first season at the helm. "Last year's team was made up of five seniors who came together, played their hearts out and left everything out on the court with no regrets. That being said, the current group of players also has the ability to keep things going in the right direction. We will continue in our mission to establish Fresno State as a top-25 program."
Who can doubt her at this point? Johnson-Klein engineered a 12-game turnaround in her first season with the Bulldogs and finished just one victory shy of matching the program record of 22. Under her direction, Fresno State registered its first winning season since 1996-97 and advanced to the postseason for the first time in 13 years.
"We've got something very impressive to build on now," acknowledged Johnson-Klein. "This year's group may not include a go-to player or established scoring threat, but we are far more balanced and the returning players can draw from last year's experience."
Fresno State fans are well aware of just how successful the Bulldogs might be in 2003-04, just ask any of the program-record 4,507 fans who witnessed the team's WNIT second round win over Oregon State at raucous Selland Arena last year. The Red Wave community was the largest supporter of Fresno State women's basketball last season, as evidenced by the school-record average of 1,462 fans that made their way through the turnstiles for each contest.
"I think last year we saw just how much an energetic home crowd can help you out on the court," Johnson-Klein explained. "The Fresno community really embraced this team as the season went on and provided a spark that had been missing for several years. The environment was incredible and I trust our fans will turn out again to watch our team in the first season of the Save Mart Center."
Facts are facts though, and it will be difficult to offset the loss of six key players. Udeze led the Bulldogs in both scoring (13.4 ppg) and rebounding (9.1 rpg), while Logan averaged 12.1 ppg and ranks second all-time in points scored. Guards Laura Garcia and Tiffany Simon provided valuable contributions off the bench and both averaged at least six points per game. Channan High and Java Johnson were tremendous post players and key factors during the team's stretch run.
Johnson-Klein and her staff can only hope that last year's magic rubs off on this year's returnees.
Much of Fresno State's success this year will depend on the play of its forwards. Defense and rebounding were integral parts of Fresno State's success last year and this season should not be any different. The Bulldogs are looking at a group of players led by junior Aritta Lane. The 6-0 native of Aiea, Hawaii, was third on last year's team in scoring at 7.5 ppg- the highest total of any returning player on this season's roster. Lane, who earned WAC Co-Freshman of the Year honors in 2001-02, proved to be one of the team's top scorers near the end of last season. A durable post player, Lane was part of Fresno State's three-player rebounding machine as she pulled down 150 boards for a 4.5 average.
"Aritta is really beginning to fit in with this team," said Johnson-Klein. "After a stellar freshman year she has been able to find her role and play through two surgeries on her ankle. We are counting on her to be one of our main scoring options."
Another prospective starter for the Bulldogs at the forward position is a bit of an unknown. Sophomore Lauren Selmon was required to sit out last year as a redshirt after transferring to Fresno State from Baylor. However, the coaching staff raves about Selmon's ability as a scorer, defender and inspirational team leader.
"I expect Lauren to be a big producer for our team this year," said Johnson-Klein. "Lauren transferred from Baylor last year but she is no stranger to this staff. I watched Lauren win her first AAU National Championship when she was 11 and have seen three others since. She is a winner and will have a major impact during her career."
Prior to becoming a Bulldog, Selmon played in 19 games off the bench for a Baylor team that reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament. She is a cerebral player who should bring added toughness to the Bulldog starting lineup.
Lane and Selmon are the possible starters, with a few more options on the bench. Sophomore Faith Probst joined last year's team midway through the season and wound up being a serviceable player off the bench in many games. Probst (2.6 ppg, 2.6 rpg) came off the bench in 14 games, with her best performance coming in the form of an 18-point outing during a loss to San Jose State. A native of Australia, she is continuing to learn the nuances of American basketball.
The coaching staff describes Probst as a "silent" player; one that will quietly grab 10-12 rebounds and put up 20 points. She is extremely sound fundamentally.
Freshman Brittani Green, a 6-2 post player out of Dallas, Texas, might also get a look at the forward position. She is one of the team's taller players and has the ability to contribute quickly. Green's high school team was the state runner-up in each of the last two years and she averaged 17.8 ppg along with 7.2 rpg during her career.
Johnson-Klein likes Green so much, she has said that "Brittani could eventually be one of the best post players to step on the floor at Fresno State. She just has unbelievable ability."
The center position features two options, one of which happens to be Fresno State's only four-year starter in Mindy Clark. When asked which player is poised for a breakthrough season or has been most impressive in preseason workouts, the answer is usually Clark. Fresno State's tallest player at 6-4, Clark came on strong at the end of last season and is looking to continue that success.
Clark played in a career-high 30 games in 2002-03, averaging 2.2 ppg and 2.1 rpg. Now she figures to be penciled in as the starting center, a challenge she welcomes.
"Mindy spent the offseason working hard on her individual game and has improved a great deal," noted Johnson-Klein. "It's her senior year and I think she is pushing herself to be a factor for us inside."
From experience to youth, the other option at the center spot is sophomore transfer Nikki Wilson. A 6-3 native of Chicago, Ill., Wilson can play either forward or center and was rated by many as one of the best junior college players in the country last season. She played under Michael Landers at Trinity Valley Junior College, which has produced five NCJAA National Champions.
"Nikki is simply just an incredible athlete," said Johnson-Klein. "She will provide much-needed depth inside and could become one of the most powerful post players in the WAC."
Three guards (Logan, Garcia and Simon) from last year's team were lost to graduation but Fresno State feels like it has enough depth at the position to be effective in 2003-04. While the position remains unsettled, there are several intriguing options.
The likely starting solution figures to be a combination of senior Chanie Sutherland and junior Veronica Mack. Sutherland, who started all but one game in her first season last year after a two-year stay at Midland Junior College, averaged 1.7 ppg and 1.4 rpg. A 5-8 guard from Odessa, Texas, Sutherland has impressed the coaching staff with her work ethic and speed. She has gradually developed into a team leader on a squad that was desperately looking for one after the loss of six upperclassmen over the summer.
"Chanie will provide tremendous senior leadership for our basketball team," Johnson-Klein stated. "She was effective as a starter last season, learned the system and commands the respect of her teammates. More importantly, she has won at every level and brings that winning attitude to the court every game."
Sutherland will be joined in the backcourt by Mack, a 5-6 junior who really developed into a consistent scoring threat by season's end. A smooth player with unlimited range, Mack played in all 34 games last year and was one of the team's better three-point shooters with 23 overall. She averaged 4.2 ppg and 1.4 rpg and was used as the Bulldog's first option off the bench.
An excellent clutch performer, one of Mack's best games last year came in Fresno State's WNIT opening round win over Santa Clara. In that contest, she tallied a season-high 16 points, tying a career-best with four triples in the process.
"Veronica should have little trouble stepping in at the shooting guard position," mentioned Johnson-Klein. "She will be counted on to provide some of the scoring that came from Lindsay Logan. Veronica is simply a great perimeter player and she has welcomed the challenge of becoming a floor leader for this club."
Freshman Paige Diggs, a 5-9 guard out of Amarillo, Texas, should provide additional minutes off the bench as she learns the system. Quick and explosive, Diggs arrives at Fresno State after closing out an impressive career at Amarillo High School.
The coaching staff has tabbed Diggs as an extremely athletic and agile guard who should challenge for a spot at the point guard position.
Three other players, two of them returnees, can be interchanged at either the guard or forward spots. Senior Chantea Fleming, a 6-1 guard/forward, adds experience and depth. Junior Cophie Moore, a 5-10 guard/forward, is similar in that she can also play both positions. Fleming and Moore were valuable reserves for the Bulldogs last year, spelling members of the starting lineup and contributing with key minutes off the bench.
Fleming is known as a solid rebounder and outside shooter, while Moore is one of the team's most aggressive defenders and can also rebound well.
According to Johnson-Klein, "Chantea is healthy and ready to leaver her mark on Fresno State. Unfortunately, she has suffered through several injuries during her career but she is working hard to make her final year a memorable one. Cophie is the best overall athlete on this team. She prides herself on defense and is developing her offensive game."
Freshman Jasmine Plummer, a 6-0 guard from Sacramento, Calif., is a gifted athlete who should add great balance at the guard position. Explosive in transition, she will be asked to take on tough defensive assignments. Plummer, a three-time All-Conference selection at Natomas High School, was named the Sierra Foothill League MVP and led the league in steals and assists.
"Jasmine rounds out a very solid freshman class," said Johnson-Klein. "We are excited about her potential both on offense and defense."
After competing in three tournaments during the fall last season, the Bulldogs have just two scheduled for this year as the 2003-04 schedule offers more of a regional look. The 'Dogs will host the seventh annual Fresno State Classic to officially open the Save Mart Center in late November and later participate in the Cowgirl Shootout, hosted by Oklahoma State.
There are 10 non-conference games leading up to the WAC opener at home against Hawai'i. Three 2003 NCAA Tournament teams are featured on this year's schedule: Western Kentucky, Utah and Louisiana Tech. Western Kentucky and Utah are possible opponents at the Fresno State Classic, while the Bulldogs will continue their rivalry against Louisiana Tech during conference play. Other non-league matchups include road trips to Washington State, UCLA and Long Beach State in addition to a WNIT rematch with Santa Clara slated for Dec. 13 at the Save Mart Center.
Fresno State, picked to finish fifth overall in the WAC this year in the coaches preseason poll, begins the conference portion of its schedule with a homestand against Hawai'i and San Jose State. The team then plays five of its next seven games on the road before hosting Louisiana Tech on Feb. 5. The Bulldogs end the year on the road in Hawai'i before returning to Fresno to host the 2004 WAC Tournament.
After making their best conference tournament run in school history last year, Fresno State should challenge for the league title again in March. The WAC Tournament is back in Fresno for the first time since 2000 and the Bulldogs are geared up to provide the Red Wave faithful with a strong showing.
"I think our non-conference schedule will serve as a good indicator for us," said Johnson-Klein. "It should be a good experience and tell a lot about where we stand among our regional opponents. The road games and travel in the WAC can be grueling at times, but we should be better equipped to handle the challenge."
