Women's Basketball Preview

[Bigtime41]

Women's Basketball Preview

Brand new year, fresh look, renewed optimism, contagious enthusiasm, invigorated veterans, focused freshmen...just a few key phrases that describe the 2006-07 SMU women's basketball team.

In her 16th season as head coach of the Mustangs, Rhonda Rompola believes last year's success and experience will pay off in leaps and (re)bounds this season. "There's a certain kind of freshness this team has that I haven't seen in quite some time," states Rompola. "I'm excited about what is taking place on the floor in practice this fall and knowing that the potential is unlimited."

The 2006-07 non-conference schedule is a challenging one and is tougher than those from the last few years. With five 2006 NCAA Tournament opponents on the slate, including preseason top-10 pick in Duke, the Mustangs will have their work cut off for them "It's a well-balanced schedule with a number of challenging contests for us," says Rompola. "We'll need to find a way to pick up some wins against those teams." Also on the non-conference schedule for SMU is Texas Tech, Arkansas, regional rival North Texas and Metroplex rival TCU. Competing in this year's SMU Hoops for the Cure Classic Thanksgiving weekend are Bradley, San Jose State and Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Prior to the Christmas holiday, the Mustangs head south for the Cancun Caribbean Classic to face the national powerhouse Duke Blue Devils and Detroit.

After one year as a member of Conference USA, Rompola learned how young the league is overall. "There were a solid number of freshmen starting and a lot of freshmen point guards running the show," said Rompola. "As a result, I expect our conference to improve and be more successful in 2006-07." The Mustangs are preseason picks to finish in second place, as voted on by the Conference USA women's basketball coaches.

Last season, the Mustangs claimed third place in their inaugural year in Conference USA, posting a 16-14 record and reached the quarterfinals of the league tournament, held for the first time at SMU. In her sophomore season, post Janielle Dodds continued her strong play, earning first team All-Conference USA honors while senior forward Sarah Davis (third team All-Conference pick) closed out her career with over 1,000 points scored and became SMU's all-time shot blocker during the course of the season. Senior guard Kendall Shead successfully ran the Mustang offense the last four seasons and was only nine assists shy of becoming SMU's all-time assist leader.

The Mustang squad can be characterized as young but with considerable experience. With one senior on the roster, SMU boasts a corps of student-athletes that will set the standard for the coming years. What has impressed Rompola to date is the freshman class. "It is one of the strongest freshman groups, if not the strongest, we have ever signed," states Rompola. "They're focused, smart and very business-like on the floor."

The Mustang post position sports depth this season - depth that has been missing in recent memory. Six players will be called upon to provide strength and scoring inside.

Junior Brittany Barker (Greenville, Texas) returns after missing the last three weeks of the 2005-06 season due to illness. Her timing and conditioning is a priority for Rompola, who knows that Barker will need time to get comfortable back in the system and be a presence on the floor.

Freshman Catherine Campbell (Katy, Texas) is a four-year letterwinner and two-time team captain while at Katy High School. She posted career totals of 1,310 points, 1,075 rebounds, and 184 blocked shots in 119 career games (104 starts). Campbell was a three-time All-District selection and a member of the BCI national championship team (17/18). "Catherine has a great touch on her shot," states Rompola.

Junior Janielle Dodds (Fairfax, Va.) led the Mustangs in scoring and rebounding the last two seasons. Standing at 6-3 and a 2006-07 preseason All-America honorable mention selection by Street & Smith, Dodds earned first team All-Conference-USA honors last season, averaging 15.8 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. She totaled 12 double-doubles and scored a career-high 27 points at Tulane. Named Team MVP at season's end, Rompola anticipates Dodds to have a break-through year. "Janielle has had the best, hardest-working summer and I look for it to pay off," says Rompola. "Everyone knows that Janielle can score in the paint. She has worked on her outside shot which will make her a more versatile player." Dodds was also selected to the 2006-07 Preseason C-USA Coaches All-Conference team.

Sophomore Elbie Gates (Garland, Texas) played in all 30 games last season, averaging 11.3 minutes of play. She was second on the team in field goal percentage (50.6%), posting a career-high 15 points at Marshall. Foot injuries have slowed down Gates' preseason training but Rompola hopes to have her back at full speed soon. "Elbie did a good job of hitting the boards for us," states Rompola. "I need for her to be more of a force posting up and work on the consistency of her outside shot."

Freshman Alice Severin (Lucas, Texas) stands at 6-2 and has been a pleasant surprise for Rompola in preseason training. "Alice is one of the strongest players on the team," says Rompola. "I like her focus, her smarts, where she shoots the ball from - she absorbs everything." A four-year letterwinner at Allen High School, Severin posted career numbers of 12.4 points per game, 8.4 rebounds per game, 2.1 assists and 1.9 steals per game. A two-time All-District selection, she earned team MVP and Best Rebounder honors. A 2005-06 McDonald's All-America nominee, Severin was named U-16 BCI national camp Most Outstanding Player.

Rounding out the posts is sophomore Leah Starr (Georgetown, Texas) who saw limited action her freshman season, but Rompola looks for Starr to play with more confidence and be less concerned with making mistakes.

Two forwards grace the Mustang squad in senior Katie Gross and freshman Delisha Wills, but a preseason knee injury will force Gross to miss the entire 2006-07 season. The Austin, Texas, native was SMU's three-point specialist last season, and places third on SMU's all-time list for career three-point field goals. "We will miss Katie's presence on the floor," says Rompola. "I look forward to having her back in the line-up next season."

A native of Mesquite, Texas, Delisha Wills comes to SMU with strong credentials. A two-time All-District and All-Region team selection, Wills was a 2005 Street & Smith All-American (honorable mention) selection. Named an adidas Top Ten All-American, she earned Offensive Player of the Year honors and Rebounder of the Year honors. In her junior season, Wills averaged over 15 points and 10 rebounds per contest. "Delisha can play both forward and post," states Rompola. "She runs the lanes well and can score in transition." Rompola also likes the fact that she can shoot the jumper at the high post spot as well as take her opponent to the hoop. "Delisha will be difficult to guard when she's on the perimeter."

Running the Mustang backcourt are six players with significant talent and experience.

Junior Katy Cobb (Rio Vista, Texas) will play both the point guard and shooting guard positions. Having played in all 30 games (including 23 starts) in 2005-06, Cobb looks to make up for the less-than-stellar season she had as a sophomore. Averaging 6.6 points per game, Cobb has worked hard to improve her overall game and Rompola has seen the results of her hard work. "Katy is a totally different player," says Rompola. "She has her jumper down, expanded her three-point shot and has worked on her drive. Katy must be vocal and take the leadership role out on the floor."

After being out two years (one due to NCAA transfer rules and one for a knee injury), junior Kenzie Cole (Brock, Texas) is more than ready to suit up and make a contribution this season. Getting her timing back may be her biggest obstacle, but Rompola likes Cole's shooting range. "Kenzie is a scrappy player with an extremely long three-point range," states Rompola. "She loves to shoot the ball - smiles when she shoots the ball - that's when Kenzie's at her best."

Another player looking for her first action in a Mustang uniform is 5-11 freshman Brittany Gilliam (Tyler, Texas) who missed the entire 2005-06 season due to a knee injury. During her high school career, Gilliam earned TABC All-State and TABC 5A All-Region team (Region II) honors and was named MVP of District 12-5A as a senior. A three-time All-District, All-East Texas and two-time All-Region team member, she averaged 22 points per game her senior season "Brittany's a very talented, dynamic player who sees the floor well," says Rompola. "She reads defenses well, can post up and is a great passer."

Rompola looks for freshman Jillian Samuels (Mesquite, Texas) to compete for serious minutes this season. She averaged 20.4 points, six assists and four steals and was a 2005 TABC All-State and first team 12-5A All-District selection. A three-time Street & Smith All-America honorable mention selection, Samuels was a first team All-Area pick and All-Region selection in 2006. A McDonald's All-America finalist, she led the state in three-point field goals in 2006. "I like Jillian's focus, smarts and the way she thinks the game," states Rompola. "She has a killer cross-over and step-back move." Rompola hopes Samuels' consistent outside shooting will give the Mustangs an added scoring threat.

Junior Sharee Shepherd (Houston Texas) played in all 30 games last season, including seven starts. Rompola needs for her to be the Mustangs' defensive specialist. Shepherd was second on the squad in steals and third in blocked shots last season. She was the recipient of the team's Spark Award. "Sharee's worked hard to become an all-around player," says Rompola. "She has more elevation, more arc and more confidence in her shot which should help her game."

Rounding out the guards is sophomore Chelsea Tiner (Rockwall, Texas) who underwent knee surgery this fall and will need time to get back into the flow of daily practices and game time. "Chelsea is a good shooter and I would like to give her the opportunity to see some playing time," says Rompola.

Look for the Mustangs to continue playing its traditional up-tempo basketball with smothering defense. If all goes as planned, SMU's time to return to the Big Dance is just around the corner.


So if they beat Duke or Texas Tech do you think fans would support this team?

[Big10Ponyfan]

They made the semifinals of the women's CUSA tournament not the quarterfinals.