The 2009-10 Southern Conference women's basketball season gets underway Friday, November 13, with 10 teams taking the court. To preview the season, SoConSports.com wanted to get the inside scoop on each team's preparation for the upcoming season. We asked each head coach three questions about his or her team's work in the offseason and expectations for the year to come.
Appalachian State Head Coach Darcie Vincent
You are entering your second year as head coach. Are you able to implement more of your philosophies and strategies this year?
We are very excited about the start of the 2009 season. With such a young team - 10 sophomores and freshmen of our 12 players - we have been able to "raise" them in our program rather quickly. The addition of my new staff has also increased the speed of our transition. We should see a more intense defensive team as well as a more all-around offensive talented team. We are young, but with youth comes energy!
Sam Ramirez led the league in assists and assist/turnover ratio last season. What did you see in her play last season that she can improve on, and what has she been working on in the offseason?
Sam is our shooting guard - played some point due to being thin at that position. However, this season she is ready to get back to her comfortable position. However, to have a shooting guard that sees the floor as well as she does really puts a smile on our face. She is our primary perimeter threat and will keep team's defense honest. She has continued to work on her ball-handling skills and ability to get to the rim. She is one of two upperclassmen, so her leadership and mental toughness has been strength during our preseason. We are expecting big things from Sam!
You had two all-freshman team selections last season in Canesha Edwards and Sade Means. What do you hope to see from them this season after they have had a year of experience playing in the Southern Conference?
Canesha and Sade are two very talented sophomores. They both possess a tremendous amount of athleticism and have been working very hard fine tuning their basketball skills. With being thrown right into the fire as freshmen, they quickly learned what it takes to be a successful basketball player in the Southern Conference. They spent a lot of time in the gym and in the weight room over the past few months preparing for their sophomore year! Both are versatile players and will be seen doing a variety of things on the court.
College of Charleston Head Coach Nancy Wilson
Your team made its first championship game appearance last season and lost in triple overtime. How will that experience impact your team's goals for this season?
Making it to finals and losing a thrilling triple OT game has made us hungry to return. We feel that we have unfinished business to attend to, and it has made this group quite motivated.
You return three starters from last season. What have you been working on in practice to improve upon from last season, and what did you see last year that you liked and want to carry into this season?
We actually return four people that started quite often for us and one other that saw a lot of playing time. The success of our team will have a lot to do with how quickly our freshman class comes along and what kind of contribution they can make. We lost two 50-rebounds players in Sarah Moye and Nikki Williams. We have got to find those rebounds and plus some from other players.
You return your top two scorers from last season in junior Tonia Gerty and senior Jade Hughes. What qualities do you see in them that will make them good leaders for the team?
Toni and Jade are excellent players. With Sarah Moye's floor leadership gone it becomes very important for them to be able to lead from the point of their personalities. They have always led by the way they played. They must both put the two together and be willing to speak up and direct more often.
Davidson Head Coach Annette Watts
Alex Thompson averaged the fourth-most three-point field goals made last season. How can she improve her shot and what has she been working on in the offseason?
Alex Thompson has worked hard in the offseason scoring off the dribble and becoming stronger. She has continued to catch and shoot behind the arc but has focused on foot speed, body strength and putting the ball on the ground.
Mercedes Robinson led the league in rebounding last season and averaged the third-most points. With her graduated and from what you have seen in practice, how are you adapting your game plan to make up for her loss?
The graduation of Mercedes left a gap on both the offensive and defensive ends of the floor! While we will miss her scoring, it is her rebounding that I am most concerned about replacing. Mercedes had a knack for grabbing offensive rebounds and we are working hard to replace those. The good news is that our team recognizes the value of rebounding and they are focusing on that piece of our system.
Your team had the third-highest scoring offense in the league last season. What are you working on defensively to help the offense lead to more wins?
We pride ourselves, here at Davidson, on always playing savvy, tough and solid defense but with our injuries last season we simply did not have the numbers to play as hard and aggressive as would have liked. Our returning leaders understand the significance of defense and are communicating that fact daily to our underclassmen and freshmen. Our staff believes our defensive pride will be back this season!
Elon Head Coach Karen Barefoot
As you enter your second year of coaching, what did you observe last season that you are working on improving this season that might incorporate more of your coaching style?
The returners are much more confident coming into the season because they know what to expect. With 11 returners and six newcomers we will be able to run my up-tempo style on offense and have constant pressure defense. We will depend on the leadership from our returners and energy from our freshmen.
You return your top scorer and SoCon Freshman of the Year Tiara Gause and top rebounder Amber Wall. From what you've seen in practice, how will you incorporate the incoming freshmen into your lineup?
I like the fact that Tiara continues to improve daily, but now she has a great support cast around her to help with scoring. We now have multiple scorers in our offense, and she will not have to carry a lot of the weight. Amber Wall's game has improved tremendously, and we have four new post players that can contribute on the boards as well.
Your team struggled at times to score last season. Who are you looking to step up and provide more scoring options for your team this season?
Last year, we were missing the killer instinct to score that puts points on the board. I thought we defended and competed hard last year, but we lacked skill to score. What really sets this group of freshmen apart is that three of them are among the elite 2,000 point club and all freshmen come from winning high school programs. It's exciting to have depth and options this year.
Furman Head Coach Sam Dixon
You lost three starters from last season's team. From what you've seen in practice, how might your team's style of play change due to the new additions?
I don't know if our style will change but with the newcomers we have more depth. This will give a chance to maximize our efforts and will allow us play a more up-tempo game with our frame work.
Lee Stephens was the second-leading scorer in the league last year. What did you see in her play last season that can improve and what did she excel in last year that you hope to carry into this season?
Lee had an excellent year last season. I think the area she grew in as the season went on is running the team. We will need her to continue to grow in that area. She needs to continue to grow in her ability to put the ball on the floor and drive to the basket. She is working very hard in that area.
Melissa Liebschwager led the nation in three-point field goal percentage last year, shooting 47 percent. Since she has graduated, who do you see stepping up on the perimeter to take over three-point shooting?
I think our 3-point production will be one of committee. I have seen a group show the ability to make shots. The return of Kali Holtfreter and the newcomers, Raegan Thompson and Kaitlin Murphy, will help ease the loss of Melissa.
Georgia Southern Head Coach Rusty Cram
You lost your leading scorer Ashley Melson to graduation. Who are you looking at to step up and lead the team this season?
We have moved some people around to help fill the departure of Melson. Obviously with two senior posts we will be looking to them for more production offensively.
J'Lisia Ogburn shot nearly 50 percent last season. How do you think she can continue to improve her offensive efficiency and what has she been working on in the offseason?
I'd like her to get more aggressive with the ball in her hand, and also to open up more for her away from the basket.
You have a challenging schedule ahead of you this season including trips to Duke and Auburn as well as participating in the Coors Challenge in Boulder, Colo. How do you see these matchups preparing you for Southern Conference play?
We have 11 freshmen and sophomores. We feel by playing strong early seasons that hopefully it will help prepare them for basketball at the Division I level and get them ready for conference play. It is always a gamble.
UNC Greensboro Head Coach Lynne Agee
You face some challenging non-conference opponents this season including defending conference champion teams Liberty and Bowling Green along with nationally-ranked Ohio State. How do you see these opponents helping you prepare for Southern Conference competition?
Our non-conference schedule does present great challenges against Liberty, Bowling Green and No. 3-ranked Ohio State. Obviously, we play strong non-conference people to elevate our level of play. It gives us an opportunity to see if we can perform at a higher level, and we try hard to learn from the positive things we experience in the course of these games. We can also gain confidence through challenging teams who are ranked higher nationally, and that can only be a positive when we reach conference play.
Gini Grimsley, your leading scorer and rebounder from last season, graduated and is now playing abroad. Who are you looking at to step up and lead the team this season?
Our nucleus of returnees has faced quite a bit these past two seasons, and they are ready to be the leaders. Lakiah Hyson and Monique Floyd will lead us as captains and also should be our scoring leaders along with Amanda Leigh. These three saw significant playing time and gave strong contributions last year on the court and off the court. They should be ready to step it up another notch and produce consistently this season. Our post play will present some different faces with newcomers probably receiving some time and action. However, Kendra Smith, our junior, and Agne Girstautaite, who started last year, will be counted on heavily to produce. It is their turn to make an impact. Two freshmen should figure into the mix in the backcourt. Dayshaun Richbow and Brey Dorsett should see some time from the beginning.
You return Lakiah Hyson who averaged the second most steals per game in the league last season. How do you see her improving defensively and what has she been working on in the offseason?
Hyson has been working on her offensive skills and becoming more effective as a jump shooter. Her 3-point shot has improved, and we obviously count on her steals and solid defensive ability to lead us on that end of the floor. Her challenge is to lead us on the offensive end of the floor as well, and she is capable of doing just that. We expect her to score more and to contribute to our running game. We will look to push the ball and score quickly in transition, and we will count on her passing ability as well as her scoring ability. She also plays with good composure and confidence, and those are qualities we must see from her. As a senior, her experience will be invaluable to us.
Samford Head Coach Mike Morris
As you enter your second year in the conference, what have you learned about the style of play in the Southern Conference that will impact your team's play this season?
The overall style of play in the SoCon is physical with a good combination of athletic and skilled players. The coaching and style of play for each team is very solid
Your team led the league in turnover margin and assist/turnover ratio in 2008-09. Do you think taking care of the ball will be one your team's greatest strengths this season and how can you continue to improve that?
Taking care of the ball is crucial for us to have a chance to win games. We do not create many turnovers, so we must limit our turnovers.
Your non-conference schedule includes a visit to Maryland and Mississippi State. How does facing teams from conferences like the ACC and SEC prepare you for Southern Conference competition?
Playing teams like Maryland, Virginia and Mississippi State should give us a good feel of the physical play of the SoCon.
Chattanooga Head Coach Wes Moore
You enter the season with a chance to claim your 11th regular-season title. What are your goals beyond that for this season?
First of all, I hope we can stay healthy, which will keep practice competitive and help us continue to improve. That's our goal every year - to keep getting better and be playing our best basketball in March.
Your team led the league in many categories last season, including scoring offense, scoring margin, field goal percentage and rebounding defense. What did you see on last year's team that you hope to carry to this year's team, and what did you see that you want to improve upon?
Although we still put up decent offensive numbers, we need to shoot the "3" well on a consistent basis, in order to maintain a balanced attack. Turnover ratio is also an area of concern. We must make good decisions and take care of the ball on offense, while creating more opportunities for ourselves by forcing turnovers on the defensive end. Finally, we could also create more opportunities by crashing the offensive boards harder.
Shanara Hollinquest led the league in scoring last season, averaging 16.5 points. How are you looking to provide someone on the perimeter to draw the defense away from her and take some of the pressure off?
Hopefully, we've added some good options on the perimeter. It starts with getting Bailey Dewart and Kori Penland back healthy. They were shooting 42 and 39 percent respectively from the 3-point line before we lost them for the season last January. I'm also very confident in the two freshmen guars we added, Kayla Christopher and Kylie Lambert, and their ability to knock down shots. If that doesn't work, maybe we'll move Shanara to point guard and see if that opens up the paint for another post.
Western Carolina Head Coach Karen Middleton
As you enter into your first year as a head coach, how will your experiences as an assistant coach impact your coaching style?
I am extremely fortunate to have had the opportunity to learn from many great people and tremendous influences. Coach Wilson, now at the College of Charleston, really opened my eyes to the way a first class program should be run. As my head coach at the University of South Carolina, Coach Wilson provided an incredible example for me in regards to how to treat each of our players, how to do things the right way on and off the court and how to show class in all you do. During my four years at USC, we competed and won championships and had fun along the way. Working at Stanford, with Tara VanDerveer, was an amazing experience and great learning opportunity. Tara is one of the best coaches in the country, if not the best basketball mind in the business. The most important lesson I learned from Tara during my 10 years at Stanford was to keep the game simple. If the Olympic team worked on fundamentals every single day, our team will do the same. At Western Carolina, our team will be challenged to "do the little things" and play with a "great attitude and great effort." Our players hear those words every single day. I've been extremely lucky to have played for and coached with some very special people that have influenced me in very positive ways.
Three starters from the Lady Catamounts' 2009 SoCon Tournament Championship team have graduated. How are you going to incorporate the four newcomers into the team's style of play?
Last year's senior class has left our returners with some big shoes to fill. With the transition of a new staff and learning a new system, we really are going to rely on each of the Cats to step up and take on a larger role. Our staff talks about everyone "bringing what they can bring and doing their part." Each practice and game is part of a process to improve even more until we reach our highest potential. I can't tell you how happy I am with the attitude and effort of each player. They will be prepared for the challenge of the Southern Conference schedule and are anxious to compete at a very high level.
The Catamounts led the league in both offensive and defensive rebounding last season, but lost top rebounder Brooke Johnson to graduation. How do plan on filling that gap and continuing to be one of the top rebounding teams in the league?
We have a team that works extremely hard and is very focused. They know what it feels like to hold the championship trophy and are hungry to do it again. Defense and rebounding takes a lot of HEART and EFFORT. This season, I expect us to compete. We will work hard and not beat ourselves. We know we have to come to play every night and do the little things that will help us win.
Wofford Head Coach Edgar Farmer, Jr.
After losing Liz Miller to graduation, who will you look to on this year's team to take a leadership role?
This year we will have a team leadership philosophy and not rely on one or two individuals. We have such great enthusiasm and energy with this basketball team. This team has done a great job of taking ownership and I have an infinite belief in this team.
Mahagony Williams shot nearly 50 percent last season. What do you see in her play that she can improve on and what has she worked on in the offseason?
Mahagony Williams came back in the best shape of her college career and that has been a springboard for her. She has been more vocal and worked on other aspects of her game which will only improve our basketball team. Her willingness to learn and be a sponge has truly rubbed off on the rest of our basketball team. I believe she will have a very successful junior season.
Your team led the league in both blocked shots and steals last season. What do you see that your team can continue to improve upon defensively?
We would like to be more consistent on the defensive glass and hold opponents to a much lower field goal percentage. I do not believe past success or failure dictates future. I expect our basketball team to improve in all areas on defense and take the next step in the tough Southern Conference.