Monday, November 09, 2009

SEASON PREVIEW - (Courtesy Belmont Media Relations)

Three years removed from the Big Dance and the Belmont women’s basketball team is ready to go shoe shopping again. Armed with a 15-deep roster, Head Coach Tony Cross is poised to make his eighth appearance at the Atlantic Sun Tournament with the goal of returning to the NCAA Tournament for the second time in program history.

Leading the Bruins is a trio of seniors, Kristin Bunch, LaWanna Holiday and Amber Rockwell, who have already been to the national stage and are eager to battle for the top spot once again.

“These three have so much leadership ability,” said Cross. “They are not just leaders because they are veterans. They have taken the responsibility upon themselves to lead the team. They have a greater level of accountability.”

The entire Belmont roster is stocked with tournament experienced players whose lone goal is advancing to the Atlantic Sun Tournament for a shot at returning to the NCAAs.

“Overall, I am pleased with the versatility, depth and talent of our roster,” Cross said. “There will be such a level of competition for the starting spots and playing time that the level of accountability will be raised. At any time, a player knows that if she doesn’t do it, there will be someone else who will in a game or in practice. It raises the level of expectation of performance for the coaches but for the players it raises a level of achieving.”

Headlining the senior class is Tuscaloosa, Ala., native Rockwell, who was a unanimous 2009 Atlantic Sun Preseason All-Conference selection. The hot handed guard led the team in scoring (14.7), three-point field goals made (73) and three-point field-goal percentage (.360) last season. The guard finished with the highest ranking among any A-Sun player in three-point field goals per game, 43rd, averaging 2.4 per outing.

Rockwell, who became just the 25th Belmont women’s basketball player to score 1,000 career points, averaged 14.7 points and 3.5 rebounds per game last season. In league statistics, the 2008 Atlantic Sun All-Conference Second Team honoree finished third in points, free-throw percentage and three-point field goals made.

“I expect this to be Rock’s best year ever. I will look for some improvement offensively but I hope to see her as more of a defensive player this year,” Cross said. “She is going to be our go-to person. (Because of our roster depth), she will not to shoulder as much of the scoring as she did last year but we will continue to depend on her scoring.”

Bunch was the fourth-leading scorer on the Belmont squad one year ago, averaging 6.4 points and 4.0 rebounds per game. A dynamic and quick guard, the Fayetteville, Ga., native was a dependable two guard for the Bruins who finished second in offensive rebounds (47) and third in points scored (198), free throws made (69) and total rebounds (125) on the team.

“KB is bringing a new level of maturity physically and in leadership this year,” Cross said. “She has a toughness to her and gives all she has every time on the floor. She is a fundamentally sound player and if she continues to do what she’s been doing for us, she will have a great year.”

Holiday was the Bruins’ leader in assists last season, recording 91 helpers and finishing her junior campaign ranked 295th among all Division I players in the category. She was also ranked 288th in steals per game. The Henderson, Tenn., native averaged 6.1 points and 3.5 boards per outing one year ago, playing in all 31 contests and starting all but one of them. Holiday finished the season ranked 10th in the Atlantic Sun in assists (91) and 11th in steals (52).

“LaWanna has had a great comeback from her health issues in the spring and summer. Her endurance levels are not where we would like them to be but she is so much further along than we all expected. It’s been a pleasant surprise,” Cross said. “She has practiced well all fall and is such a coachable player. We will count on her experience and leadership as one of our two returning starting point guards this year.”

Returning to the Bruin lineup after a one year absence is Shaunda Strayhorn. During the 2007-08 season, the Dyersburg, Tenn., native played in 29 games with 26 starts and was fourth on the team in scoring, averaging 7.9 points per game. Excelling at the charity stripe, Strayhorn knocked down 79.6 percent of her attempts as well as led the team in assists with a total of 104.

“We are glad to have her back,” said Cross. “She has come back strong stronger, both mentally and physically. She has come back with a fire and great energy. We missed her toughness and her ability to get to the foul line. There were numerous times two years ago that we made sure to get the ball into Shaunda’s hands in clutch times down the stretch.

Despite being slowed by a nagging injury, junior Tereva Moore was one of the most productive playmakers for the Bruins last season. A fierce defender and smart wing player, Moore made appearances in 24 games with 13 starts. The Memphis, Tenn., native averaged 5.2 points and 4.1 boards per outing.

“One of the most pleasant surprises of the fall has been Tereva,” said Cross. “She has practiced as if her goal was to become an All-Conference player. After pushing through not being completely healthy last year, Tereva is playing at 100 percent and is stronger, physically and mentally. She is really playing with confidence right now. As one of our most versatile players, she will most likely play the four – working as a guard outside and a post inside. Her versatility makes things easier for us in many situations.”

Adding depth to the guard corps is junior Whitney Seals. Last year she saw action in 11 games, averaging 0.5 points and 0.8 rebounds per game. A scrappy and athletic guard with quick hands, Seals, a native of Raceland, Ky., gives one hundred percent physically and should see more playing time this year.

“Whitney has better understanding of her own ability and how she contributes to the team coming into this year,” Cross said. “She is playing with more confidence and maturing as a player, playing through her mistakes.”

Franklin, Ky., native junior Rachel Swisher will immediately contend for a starting position and increased playing time in the paint for the Bruins. Last year, she played in 27 games, earning one start and averaged 3.0 points and 1.3 rebounds per game.

“Rachel is another post who can make threes and move around well in the paint,” Cross said. “She is a good role player who has turned in crucial plays for us. She is a specialty player in a way and we expect her to expand that role. As she gets stronger, she’ll be in an even better position to help us.”

All-Freshman Team selection Cacy Burtnett will be looking to build on her outstanding rookie campaign this year. After finishing as the second-best three-point shooter among her teammates, the Cleveland, Tenn., native was ranked 357th in three-point field goals per game (1.4) among all NCAA Division I players. Burtnett was one of the Bruins’ top scorers, averaging 6.9 points per game and was ranked 10th in the Atlantic Sun for three-point field goals made (37). She was also ranked 15th in the conference in blocked shots (15).

“Cacy had an outstanding freshman year for us. She exceeded our expectations,” Cross said. “Since she is so versatile, she will be able to help the team in many different ways. Cacy sets a good tempo for the team both in practice and on the floor with her hard work.”

Training one year in the shadow of one of Belmont’s most dominant post players in Jessica Bobbitt has prepared sophomore Haley Nelson to step up and improve on already budding collegiate career. Last year the Scottsboro, Ala., native made appearances in 28 contests, starting six for the Bruins. Nelson, who averaged 3.8 points and 4.6 rebounds per game, finished her rookie season ranked 165th among NCAA Division I players in blocked shots per game (1.2). She was also ranked fifth in the Atlantic Sun in blocks with a total of 33.

“Haley has one year of experience under her belt and is playing like it. She is playing with a lot of confidence. I’d say she’s definitely practicing and playing like a veteran,” Cross said. “Haley has so much uncommon athletic ability for her size. We saw flashes of what she could do last season. We anticipate Haley being a difference maker in the post offensively and defensively.”

Sophomore Tristan Daniel has rebounded from a late season injury to also begin to vie for increased playing time in the paint this year. The Waynesboro, Tenn., native made appearances in 21 contests, starting a dime. Daniel, who led the Bruins in free-throw percentage (.828), averaged 3.6 points and 2.3 rebound per game.

“Tristan is so versatile and very fundamentally sound. Her skill level and experience are very good determiners of where she can go,” Cross said. “Inside or outside, she can score in any number of ways. We are looking for her to get even stronger and as she does, we’ll have an even better team.”

Knoxville, Tenn., native Crystal Kesler returns for a second year to the guard corps for the Bruins after spending her rookie season at the point. Her year as floor general saw her come off the bench in all but one game last year. Kesler averaged 2.3 points and 1.3 rebounds per contest.

“Crystal has made tremendous improvement in the preseason. Her being healthy allows her abilities to shine even more,” Cross said. “She’s got great quickness and strength. Being a veteran will help Crystal have even better understanding of the game. It’s more natural for her to be at the two but her time as point guard last year helped her mature.”

After spending a year on the bench as a transfer, redshirted sophomore Shai Wilkins is eager to get on the hardwood. Though not on the floor during games, it was not a year off for the Harvest, Ala., native. With one year of the system under her belt already, Wilkins is expected to easily step into the Bruins’ paint lineup.

“Shai has a strong inside presence,” Cross said. “She could be and should be a tremendous rebounder for us. This is essentially her third year of collegiate ball and we expect her to produce. Shai gives us another option for a strong post player inside.”

Head Coach Tony Cross added a trio of newcomers to bring this year’s roster tally to 15. Two are from Tennessee and one hails from Georgia but each highly decorated rookie brings a wealth of championship experience to the Bruins.

Dunwoody, Ga., native Kristin Nash could vie right away for a starting position among the Bruins guards. The three-time DeKalb County Top Twenty selection was also named All-State North honoree, All-Region and a Class AAA All-State Honorable Mention by the Georgia Sports Writers Association. Nash, who was tabbed one of the top players to watch on ESPNRise.com's All Greater Atlanta team prior to her senior year, helped her Dunwoody High team earn Regional Championship titles for three consecutive years.

“Kristin is an amazingly fundamentally sound player but she probably can’t help it,” Cross said. “She was coached by her mom so she probably lived basketball 24-7 at home. Kristin is very skilled and will continue to get better with experience at the college level. We expect her to compete for playing time and a starting spot at either the one or the two.”

Local product Alyssa Visbeen adds depth to the post position after a stellar career at Brentwood Academy. After being named an On the Ball magazine Top Player of Watch heading into her final season at Brentwood Academy, the Franklin, Tenn., native went on to average 12 points and seven rebounds per game. Among her accolades are being named the 2009 Williamson County Player of the Year and a TSSAA All-Region selection.

“Alyssa has exceeded our expectations with her skill level,” Cross said. “She gives us something we were looking for in the post. Alyssa is able to score on the block and make three pointers. She only lacks experience playing at the collegiate level. We are expecting great things from her.”

Franklin, Tenn., native Julianne Downs walked on to the Bruins roster after standing out career at Harpeth Hall. The addition to the guard corps was a three-time All-Region First Team honoree as well as an All-State First Team selection. During her time at Harpeth Hall, she scored more than 1,100 career points and went on to participate in the Tennessee Coaches Association East/West All-Star Game.

“Julianne is a good shooter from an outstanding program at Harpeth Hall,” Cross said. “She has a good understanding of the game and that knowledge will have her help the team in different capacities this season. Julianne will redshirt this year but in her role as a practice player, she will see plenty of action.”

11 Days of A-Sun Basketball Schedule
Oct. 28 - Campbell 
Oct. 39 - Lipscomb
Oct. 30 - UNF 
Nov.  2 - USC Upstate
Nov.  3 - Stetson 
Nov.  4 - Kennesaw State
Nov.  5 - Mercer
Nov.  6 - Jacksonville 
Nov.  9 - Belmont 
Nov. 10 - ETSU
Nov. 11 - FGCU