Chapman Women's Basketball Season Preview
ORANGE, Calif. - Playing and winning games against a tough early-season schedule can help a team get into the postseason, as was evident during the Chapman University women's basketball team's run of nine-straight NCAA playoff appearances from 2000-2009. The downside of playing a tough schedule early on, especially for a young team, is that its postseason fate can be decided in November and December with a few early losses. That was the case for the Panthers last year.
With an inexperienced team, Chapman began 2009 with seven loses in its first nine games. Although the Panthers went 12-4 over the remainder of the season and finished the year with a 14-11 overall record, they missed the playoffs for the first time since 2000.
"I think last season was more of a learning season because the people that became starters had to learn how to play 'big-time'," said head coach Carol Jue. "It was all about a learning experience."
Once again the Panthers play a difficult early-season schedule against the likes of preseason No. 10 George Fox University (Ore.), Lewis and Clark College (Ore.) and the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. But with 14 players, four starters, and three All-Independent selections back, expectations are set on returning to the playoffs.
"It probably takes a year or two to figure out what we're doing and last year you could tell they needed that (season)" said Jue. "They needed that year to understand how to finish games, win games and take care of business all the way around."
Chapman returns three All-Independent selections in senior F Simone Ibbotson (13.4 ppg, 7.0 rpg), senior G Casey Gomez (11 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 78 assists) and junior G Mary Petrie (9.1 ppg, 38 3-FG). The trio accounted for nearly half of the team's 68 points per game last season. Ibbotson is the Panthers' top-returning scorer and rebounder and once again will be one of the team's most versatile players with the ability to play in the post and on the wing.
Gomez finished second on the team with 78 assists last season as a starter and is the Panthers' top-returning playmaker with the graduation of three-time All-Independent selection Linda Ly. Petrie also saw significant minutes, but mainly off the bench. Gomez will be key in distributing the ball to shooters like Petrie, senior G Tara Glennon (8.2 ppg, 24 starts), senior G Kelli Yamamoto (14-for-42 3FG, 15 starts) and senior G Jenna Nakasu (12-for-37 3-FG).
"Casey has good court vision and she knows how to get the ball to people in very good scoring positions and when she needs to score she will score," said Jue.
With over 80 percent of their scoring back, the Panthers' offense should improve but as in years past, defense is going to be the team's signature. Chapman was 30th in the NCAA in 2010, forcing 12.5 turnovers per game and finished fourth in turnover margin forcing just under 30 turnovers per contest with its full-court pressing-style defense.
"The main focal point for this team is that you have got to be able to play full-court, all over, in-your-face defense," said Jue. "If you don't play it (defense) it is very hard to get into the game."
Senior G Christina Ly is one of the Chapman players to create minutes for herself by playing defense. While Gomez and Ibbotson are the Panthers' top-returning steal leaders with 52 and 48, respectively, Ly is expected to be the defensive stopper. Along with Nakasu and Yamamoto's three-point shooting ability, they will also play a significant role as defensive players for the Panthers.
Jue believes that with the return of senior C Brandi Hood after a one-year absence, along with Ibbotson and newcomer Stephanie Servin, Chapman will have more of an inside presence than it did last year which will open things up for the team's shooters.
"We have some really good shooters and it is just a matter of putting them in the right spot at the right time to be successful," Jue said.
With a swarming defense, strong guard play and an improved front-court, Chapman has the depth and experience to get back to the postseason for the ninth time in 10 seasons and seventh time under Jue. To get there, they just have to get through another tough schedule first.
by Chris Watts
Sports Information Assistant