North Carolina State University Athletics
Women's Basketball Takes to the Hardwood
10/17/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Oct. 17, 2003
RALEIGH, N.C. -
One Heart ~ One Mind
Sixteen players will suit up this season for 29th year head coach Kay Yow. The good news is that she returns four senior starters and eight letterwinners; on the other hand she also welcomes seven newcomers and two players who redshirted last season. The experience and knowledge of the returners will provide a threshold for the newcomers and the two groups will blend together.
The four seniors, all leaders in the their own right, will be led by captain Nanna Rivers. Rivers was elected captain before the summer session began for the specific purpose of guiding six incoming players immediately in the right direction. This has worked out in the favor of Yow and her coaching staff because nearly every player was in Raleigh for the second session of summer school. The summer time together has allowed the team to develop an early unity, which usually comes throughout preseason.
"I could see right away how this group of players had come together," said Yow. "Their intensity in practice is as if they have played more than just the summer session."
This team unity is what led Coach Yow to coin the phrase "One Heart ~ One Mind." All 16 players have formed the special bond that will guide them through both the challenging moments and moments of glory. The players have a plentitude of basketball experience behind them, but also the willingness to learn so much more. And that, is what this team will take with them every day when they when they walk onto the court and everywhere on campus. Separately they are special, but together they have "One Heart ~ One Mind."
"Everyone is working towards the same goal and having fun while doing it," said Yow. "There is a high level of expectation, but we want them to come in loose, do their best and to just play."
Those who have been around the team know who the leaders were a year ago and the same is true this year. Seniors Kaayla Chones, Terah James and Nanna Rivers, tri-captains last season, along with senior Alvine Mendeng will once again be looked upon to lead the team this season.
"The four seniors will carry a load of leadership responsibilities," said Yow. "They are a terrific group of players who have already steered the other 12 players in the right direction."
Chones, the team's All-America candidate, brings with her three years of playing time. She has already cemented a place in the NC State record books after eclipsing the 1,000-career-point mark last season. She has over 600 rebounds as well heading into her final year, which also will likely place her in the books.
"Kaayla is going to be the anchor inside for this team," said Yow. "She has worked really hard in the offseason, and coming into this season she is more prepared than ever to take on the challenging schedule ahead."
If she follows the same path she has beaten her previous three years, the center will once again be the team's leading scorer and rebounder. Terah James has had an entire year of on-court experience to build her confidence and build back the strength in both of her knees after having undergone back-to-back ACL surgeries two years prior. Last season she came on strong towards the end, posting seven double-figure scoring games in the last 12 outings, which included a season-high 15 points in the final game against Virginia in the ACC Tournament. The point guard also sees the floor well and posted a career- high 11 assists against Maryland in the opening game of the ACC docket last season.
"Terah went home over the summer to work with a speed and agility program and has returned to us very fit and very confident," said Yow. "She has worked very hard to come back from her injuries and surpass her fitness level before they happened. Her ball handling and ability to advance the ball up the floor are going to help us with our tempo this season."
At the other guard position is Nanna Rivers, the team's captain. A leader through example, her drive towards success is irreplaceable. Rivers came into her own towards the end of last season, taking advantage of her speed and ability to pull up off the dribble. She tallied three double-figure games in the last four contests, including a season-high 13 points against Wake Forest. She is one of the team's top free throw shooters after averaging 72.5 percent from the line last year and was right behind James in assists.
"Nanna sets a tremendous example through her work effort and commitment," said Yow. "She has worked hard on her 15-to-17-foot range shot and has become a much stronger penetrater and slasher. She has gained more confidence and will look to be more of a threat offensively this season. Nanna is a good, all-around solid player."
Alvine Mendeng made her debut midway through last season and immediately made an impact in the ACC. She quickly established herself as a force inside. The power forward is very strong and athletic, and uses both to hit the boards hard and pull up for a jumper. She finished second on the team in rebounds, averaging 6.3 per contest in just 20 games. Mendeng also returns third on the team in points per game behind Chones and James in scoring at 7.5 points per game.
"Alvine is a force on the boards," said Yow. "Her strength and athleticism are in a different category, which enables her to excel and rise up to rebound with anyone. She is ready to step her game up and has the ability to do so."
The remaining five returners, as well as the seven newcomers, all have strong personalities that will be helpful to keep the team glued together and focused on the same goals. The junior class has played many games, which have been against some of the nation's best teams. Their roles have been very specific in the past and have helped lead the Wolfpack to success with some big games. Kendra Bell, a true point guard, has seen her game improve with every dribble. Bell is solid in several categories including free throws and rebounds. She gets to the line because of her ability to bring the ball up the floor and penetrate defenses. She can hit the open shot when she needs to, but has the skill to do accumulate some stats in her minutes. She ripped down 2.5 rebounds in her 13 minutes per game and made her way to the line nearly every check-in.
"Kendra has played well in our big games and she can build on that," said Yow. "She pushes the ball up the floor very well, plays hard and does a great job as a point guard for us."
Liz Bailey, a hometown favorite, has also stepped up for the Pack in sticky situations. The shooting guard is recognized around the league as a three-point threat. She tallied 36 points from behind the arc last season while averaging seven minutes per game. Shooting is not her only strength however, as she is looked upon for her hustle and never-die attitude on defense.
"Liz is an excellent shooter and is continuing to work on her mid-range game, as well as her three-pointers," said Yow. "She draws the opposing defenses out every time. She is a hard worker with a lot of spunk and tenacity to get after it."
Darline Jasmin is a junior college transfer from Miami-Dade Community College. Her 6-2 frame will be an asset for the Pack down low. She has a knack for finding the ball on rebounds. Her natural strength will power up the frontcourt for the Wolfpack. She posted 10.9 ppg, 10.0 rpg and 3.0 bpg as a JUCO.
"Darline is a particularly good offensive rebounder and has the ability to track the ball very well," said Yow. "She is a naturally strong player and a banger inside."
Redshirt-sophomore Rachel Stockdale played just two games for the Pack last season before opting to sit out and rehabilitate her right knee. The All-ACC freshman team member will likely be remembered for her passing and shooting threats. As a freshman shooting guard she averaged 7.2 ppg, which included 40 three-pointers in her 29 appearances. Against No. 25 UC Santa Barbara and No. 6 Connecticut last season she went 3-for-4 from the arc and averaged 6.5 points.
"Rachel will have to play through her knee pain this season," said Yow. "She is a mentally strong player who contributes size, scoring ability, ball handling and passing to the lineup. She is an asset we are looking forward to returning."
Monica Pope and Billie McDowell are the other sophomores in bunch. Pope spent all of last season on the scout team as she sat out to fulfill transfer requirements. She comes to NC State from Furman with a tremendous amount of drive and competitive spirit. At Furman she averaged 11.4 ppg, 2.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists as she became the Southern Conference Rookie of the Year. But here at NC State, the guard is known for her on-the- ball defense and ability to penetrate.
"Monica has no fear," said Yow. "She is one of the most competitive players out there. She takes it to people, doesn't back down. We are looking forward to her penetration ability to draw fouls and to push the ball up the court."
McDowell had a lot to learn as the only freshman last season. This year she returns with a solid year of experience and a wealth of basketball knowledge, and will be looked upon to help make our defense more aggressive an to be more of an offensive threat. The guard had her right knee scoped in the summer, but has fully recovered. Her speed and quickness have not been weakened as a result either. She will pose a threat to opponents from the three-point line and as a penetrator.
"Billie has such great quickness, speed and athleticism," said Yow. "She took it all in last year as a freshman and we will see her become more of a threat this season. Billie can do whatever she puts her mind to."
The lone redshirt-freshman title is given to Jennifer Filipowski. The forward sat out last season to rehabilitate her right knee. Her persistence to fully recover from surgery has built up her confidence to get back on the court. As an unknown to the opposition, Filipowski will fill the small forward position, allowing NC State to bring height out to three-point range.
"Jen has excellent shooting capabilities and is a very skilled and smart player," said Yow. "She has worked very hard to be physically ready and able to contribute to the success of our team."
The freshman class is a team within itself. At the guard spot is Ashley Key, with Kamela Gissendanner, Keisha Brown and Marquetta Dickens filling the forward positions and Sasha Reaves standing tall at center. Key comes to NC State as the 27th-ranked shooting guard by All Star Girls Report. As a high school player she was named a Honorable Mention Street & Smith's All-American after averaging 22 ppg, 11.0 rpg and 7.0 apg as a senior. She also helped advance Landmark Christian in Charlotte to the state semifinal in 2003, a game in which she finished with 44 points and 19 rebounds.
"Ashley is a very polished player," said Yow. "She has good ball handling skills which can get her to the hole and help create shots for herself or for others. Additionally, she has a consistent shot with range."
Gissendanner was a three-year captain at Clairton High School in Pennsylvania, and started all but one of her 110 games. After setting the scoring record there with more than 2,000 points, she was ranked 10th in the nation by All Star Girls Report. In addition, she was the AP Small School Player of the Year, was all-state first team as a senior and she played on the USA team following her junior year. Perhaps one of her biggest achievements was being named a USAToday Junior All-American.
"Kamala can play either as a guard or small forward," said Yow. "She has good ball handling skills for her size and can rebound well with her long arms. Kam plays off emotion and rises to the occasion when things get heated."
Brown averaged 13.5 ppg and 4.5 assists at Charlotte Christian and helped them to back-to-back state titles in 2002 and 2003. The guard/forward was ranked 12th nationally by All Star Girls Report after being named all-state twice. She was also a finalist for the McDonald's All-America team.
"Keisha has tremendous leaping ability and has smooth style to her game," said Yow. "She can finish at the basket or take the three, and is very athletic."
For those who remember Tynesha Lewis, a former star at NC State and now with the WNBA's Charlotte Sting, Marquetta Dickens may bring back memories. The two play with great similarity. The forward was ranked 13th nationally by the All Star Girls Report after leading her Tarboro High School team to four straight conference and tournament titles. She played in both the North Carolina vs. South Carolina and the North Carolina East vs. West all-star games last year, where she was named Most Valuable Player. Dickens was also named North Carolina 2-A Miss Basketball.
"Marquetta plays like Tynesha did when she was a freshman, but Dickens may be better," said Yow. "Tynesha, being from the same area as Q, is a mentor for her. Marquetta has good shooting range and has the excellent ability to get to the hole and finish."
The 2003-04 schedule for the Wolfpack will once again pose challenging days ahead. With NC State taking on three of last season's Final Four participants, the Pack will need to get things off to a good start.
"Once again we have a very tough schedule and we will have to be ready early," said Yow. "The returners will have to mentor the younger players to get them prepared for the challenges that lie ahead. But we are in a good situation. There is no pressure on the young players to step right in and perform. We will bring them along and give them time to work themselves into a new system."
The squad will host Texas in the Second Annual Women's Jimmy V Classic on Nov. 23, at the RBC Center in Raleigh after hosting Loyola Marymount on Nov. 21, in the same location. The team then travels west to the Oregon Classic to face Sacramento State and Oregon over the Thanksgiving holiday. The Pack returns home to host East Carolina, Dec. 3, before visiting Georgia on Dec. 6. And before playing in the San Juan Shootout Dec. 20-22, NC State will host Indiana on Dec. 14, and Florida A&M on Dec. 17. While in Puerto Rico, the Wolfpack will face Eastern Michigan, 2003 WNIT runner-up Baylor and UP-Mayaguez. Before tipping off its first ACC contest on Jan. 2, NC State travels to Connecticut after the winter break and then hosts Appalachian State on Dec. 31.
The team must set out to continue the tradition of excellence that has been the backbone of the women's basketball program since Yow set foot on campus. This year's 30th anniversary team will be much like those that have played before them. The same ideals, passions, hard work and commitment that directed the 29 teams that graced the floor of Reynolds Coliseum beginning in 1974, will do the same for this year's team. The 16 players will be One Heart ~ One Mind and together, they will hurdle the challenges that lie ahead.
"I am looking forward to seeing this team have fun," said coach Yow. "I want them to go out there and play their best, give it all they've got. With out up tempo style of play this year, the team can do what they do best."
