Showing posts with label women's basketball. Show all posts
Showing posts with label women's basketball. Show all posts
Monday, November 13, 2023
Sunday, October 1, 2023
UCSB Women's Basketball Practice Notes, 9-27-23
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/YH3NdToRk6E
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/S8bQQyjzq04
Overall, the losses of Ila and Alexis Tucker to Cal and FSU, respectively, will hurt the post positions. We will definitely be more perimeter-oriented, driving and dishing to the open 3 either strong side or weak side. Just from observing, Alexis Whitfield, has a ton of upside, as she's the fastest player among the bigs by far, and she's got a mean crossover. Just overall, super athletic and explosive, yet her numbers so far haven't indicated that potential. She's a senior this year, and with the other two post players gone, this could be her breakout season, as long as she remains focused and consistent.
Jessica Grant is firing on all cylinders again with the 3 point shot, and her team won 90% of the shooting competitions. Kanani Coon also has a sweet jumper, but I'm not sure if she is in the rotation. Marin, Burke, Grant could be the starters on the perimeter, which means we will be small. Anya Choice just seems too athletic to not start, so I'm not sure what the starting backcourt will look like. The frontcourt is not fixed either, altho the experienced players will probably have a leg up with the system.
The perimeter game will be much more emphasized, but the Gaucho ladies still need to finish inside and defend the paint. Coach Bonnie Hendrickson will earn her stripes this season.
Saturday, September 30, 2023
Friday, March 10, 2023
Saturday, March 4, 2023
Wednesday, February 22, 2023
Sunday, February 19, 2023
Friday, February 10, 2023
Thursday, February 9, 2023
Tuesday, November 1, 2022
Interview with UCSB Women's basketball coach Bonnie Hendrickson on October 27, 2022
Interview with UCSB Women's basketball coach Bonnie Hendrickson on October 27, 2022
Gaucho Hoops (GH): Let's start with the players first. We can cover strategies, identify what you're working on, how the exhibitions went, and whatever message you want to communicate to fans later.
Bonnie Hendrickson (BH): OK, let's start with seniors first. With Ila, we're obviously excited for her. It's her last year. She's an all-conference player every day in practice. That's why she's so special. She just doesn't take days off. She's explosive around the rim, and she's working on getting to the rim more.
That'll help us because we've got a group of bigger guards. The factor is how well they can play together with ball handling, can they penetrate and kick, and can they keep people in front of them? So if they can't do that, it will impact their minutes. How big can we play on the perimeter--how big can our 2's and 3's be? Can they play together, because if they are all alike, and they have the same weaknesses in a sense, then you can't play them all together. We caught a little bit of that last year because we played Megan and Taylor and Taty together, as they're not primary ball handlers. To play all 3 of them at the same time is hard. Now we can tweak a few things. with not as much driving and kicking, or passing and cutting, but we'll see...
So Ila is a 3 level scorer, getting on the glass and rebounding, using her length
With Alexis Tucker, she's really improved from last year. She's worked hard in the spring and summer. She's worked hard to be confident facing the rim, ball handler, playmaker, getting down hill, getting the ball in the paint, kick it out, getting the right read. She's really improved from a year ago. She was used to playing with her back to the rim. Fans will see that right away, She didn't always play with her back to the glass last year, but she just wasn't aggressive pushing the ball forward. We want her to reverse the ball if there's rotation, she needs to be able to kick it out Can she make a quality pass, can she create a shot for somebody else by putting the ball on the floor?
Anya Choice is a 3 level scorer working on being confident in the mid range She's explosive to the rim. She's improved as a stationary 3 point shooter where the ball comes to her and she steps into it. She made that transition mid-season last year. More movement, not watching the ball and anticipating the ball, getting her feet ready. She's much more improved where she can pull up in rhythm, find that little gap and that space before she gets too deep, was her point of emphasis. Defensively, we had Danae last year, and we need someone who can guard the other teams' best player She's the most capable in terms of being physical and quickness. She's gotta turn the corner there and be more consistent with her effort and energy on that end of the floor. It would be incredibly impactful for us on the perimeter defensively.
Alyssa Marin is the starting point guard for now, can play the 1 and 2. Anya is our third point guard right now. Danae is gone and Alyssa has embraced leadership. Its her turn to step up and lead and get the ball ahead in transition, pass the ball and get us up the court quicker. She played a lot of catch football with her brothers growing up. She can throw the ball from the baseline for a touchdown, but sometimes that's the right thing to do, sometimes it's not. She working on that...like every point guard with decision-making: what's the right play to make? She's a capable scorer and comes back into the rotation . She can knock it down in the midrange. She's a good driver and drop passer. In transition, she passes it across half court. In the half court offense, she gets down hill, and makes good passing decisions. She's got great pace and great energy. I never have to ask her to speed up She's incredibly self-disciplined and very mature in that way.
GH: With Danae graduating, is there a point guard by committee?
BH: Alyssa and Callie Cooper split the duties last night. They're trying to find their niche and voice on both ends of the floor. This group has more scoring options, they just have to defend. How do I get us organized--how do I stay ahead of the play mentally? You can't take a play off, you have to focus. She played point guard last year, but it wasn't the minutes Danae played though. Having those minutes with Alyssa and Callie this year--it'll just feel different. Callie is explosive, she can get downhill, she can get in your face on defense, she's pesky like that She's small in stature but that's a good thing cuz she can get you into pressing who's she defending. That's a good thing, to get their head down without fouling. She can get into the paint and loop around. She's strong if she gets into contact and distributes. She will be a big impact with her ability to pressure the ball defensively. She just has to be consistent.
Alexis Whitfield transferred here from the University of Washington. She's a California kid, a Valley kid. She played well last night. She's big and long--big at the rim, good job on the glass, can get down hill, and score off two feet using her size and strength. She needs to get consistent as a 3 point shooter. Decent in the midrange when she is able to get to the rim because of her size. She's almost 6'2", has to tighten up her handle when she tries to drive it, because she's gonna get pinched more. Defensively, she has to be smart because she's strong and athletic and long. She's just gotta get out there and guard. She needs to not rotate defending the 3. She's gotta get up there and forced them to drive. Force a 2 or 3,and get help from the forwards. She'll get better as this is a different style from where she played. We require more responsibility to be a ball handler , to make decisions, improve quality of decisions: do I shoot, do I pass? That gets us thru the juniors and seniors.
Callie is a sophomore. Analillia tore her acl so she's out for the year. She had surgery last week. Laurel is injured--she's a backup 5. We're asking her to work on her face up game--away from the paint to create more room, especially in practice against Ila. Forcing Ila outside replicates what opponents are doing with her. Laurel is a good screener, able screener. Want her to help out the person with the ball. Step away from the rim on a penetration and kick out for a 10 footer. She can shoot the little 6 foot, 8 foot jumper. That'll impact us positively and creates space for teammates, and also gives her an opportunity to knock down the jumper. Good voice, good leader at the 5 on the defensive end. We need a good communicator on the back end of the defense.
Kennedy Johnson is a great athlete, explosive, can create alot from her defense. She gets to the rim, is shooting at a better rate from the 3. She needs to be consistent from midrange and finishing from 2 feet. She's sometimes so quick, too quick sometimes and doesn't have her head up to see where she is on the floor. She's explosive and has to finish higher. She has to get up off of two feet instead of one. She can get there fast but has to slow down and finish. She can get up and defend the ball. She can be impactful, can create havoc and cause opponents to make poor decisions. We just need more consistency, so she can create an impact for us on defense.
Freshmen--we have two. Skylar from Couer d'Alene from Idaho. Gets more loose balls than anybody on the team. Can get offensive rebounds; her numbers are as good as Ila's and post players. Just tremendous energy. She's on the floor, she's at the rim. She's going to be scrappy. She's tough defensively, learning as a freshman with the pace and speed, and talent level in Div. 1 and in our league. She's got a good mid range game and needs to find her rhythm from the 3 She's a little rushed, little sped up She's got good range, but like Anya, she gets caught watching the ball and when the ball comes to her, her feet aren't ready. She should shoot it, but she shouldn't because she's not ready. Love her energy and enthusiasm and makes things happen just because she's flying around, and that's contagious.
GH: So she leads the team in floor burns.
GH: She sure does. She's the first person down on the floor, and that's contagious. She's the first one on the glass consistently, coming from the 3 point line. That's how we play: 4 out, 1 in, and nobody boxes out so she was getting offensive rebounds.
Jessica Grant has the least stature in our group, but might be the most explosive as far as her ability to score. She hit four 3's last night, just didn't get her feet set or she would have knocked down more. She led the country in 3's last year, made over 500 3's in her high school career. She hit 10 in one game last year. She's like a silent assassin. She's not going to blow you away when you first look at her until she knocks down her 2nd, 3rd, 4th three point shot. She's just starting to understand where her teammates can find her. She's learning how to move without the ball, finding a window where she can't see the ball, and the ball can't see her, so she's starting to move and create opportunities for herself, because her teammates are looking for her. They can kick it out to her on the 3. Pretty soon tho, opponents will take that away, so she has to get down hill. She can make back to back 3's like she did last night. That's why she's here. But she can do more than that because when opponents run her off the 3 point line, and they will do that, so we had to spend time with her to be confident with putting the ball on the floor, and make a good play on the dribble and make a good decision. She'll throw it off the on ball screen to Ila, or penetrate and kick and get it out. She's going to get run off the line, so she doesn't have to make plays. As a freshman, that's really important to understand what she is right now. In games, don't try to be somebody else.
GH: So she's not a one dimensional catch and shooter?
BH: No, no, no, I'm talking all about the 3's, but she's a lot more than that, for sure.
Back to Tatyana, she's a spacer, 6'3", good 3 point shooter who stretches the defense. She'll be the hybrid 5 until Laurel gets back She has played a back up 5 and she's a good screener She has good feet and a 3 point shot. She just has to get on the glass and make some shots and she'll get minutes. Taylor Mole is a senior from Australia. was all-conference her first year, then came off the bench last year. It was good for her. She gets really antsy early--during the exhibitions, taking pull up jumpers and those aren't high percentage shots. She just needs to calm down and let the game come to her a bit. She's a 3 level scorer, 3 point shooter, midrange, finishes at the rim. Need from her defensively on the perimeter. She played at the 4 and is now playing the 3, so she has to guard out there aggressively and competitively.
GH: So with Coach Pasternack his words were urgency, urgency, urgency, referring to defense and rebounding. A lot of fans watch the ball, the shooter, but in his words, we have to defend, and we have to rebound. He's not so keen on their defensive prowess as individual defenders. Josh is one of our premiere defenders, but everything else is based on positioning. Meaning help defense, because if you're not super quick laterally, you better have position to help and communicate to teammates. What are your keys to this team? You were selected 2nd in preseason Big West polls. How do you fulfill those lofty expectations?
BH: We have to guard. After last night we gave up 60. We can't give up 60 points. We have to defend and be able to get into ball handlers. If we don't keep them in front of us, at least we can send them where we want them to go. Help is supposed to be about being in position. It doesn't take talent to be in the correct position. At this point, we only have a handful of defenders who can keep people in front of them against each other in practice. We have to get better there. Two things: improve defensively and our passing decisions.
We can get the ball there, but we don't throw what we call "money" balls. We got to get shooters in rhythm in the "pocket". Last night, that was disappointing. We sped up and rushed and so we got the ball there but they weren't really quality passes. Being as long as we are, use that on the defensive end and on the glass. We got decent numbers on the offensive boards. We have more players on the perimeter than we have had in the past. We have to improve on the decision-making so we make sure we take care of the ball. It's a game of possessions, so some of these guys have to box out on rebounding. With rebounding, you don't want to just go for the ball, you have to hit somebody first and make some contact. So you can't just stand there, pivot and hope. Hit your player, create what we call a push, and more than likely it comes right back at you. Rebounding on both ends of the floor, but on defense is why you win, and offense will tell you how much you win by. We want to put ourselves in a position based on seeding in the Big West tournament We gotta defend and get out in transition. Catch Ila before the defense can set up.
GH: So that's like a secondary fastbreak off transition.
GH: Yeah, it's like offense after a defensive rebound. Outlet up the floor, pass it up the floor, don't be dribbling in transition. Which means we have to rebound and we gotta get out and run.
GH: And that includes Ila running down the court?
BH: She runs, we're not waiting on her. She works really hard to be good in transition.
GH: I do have a question: "in the pocket", does that mean get the pass to the wheelhouse of the shooter?
BH: Yeah, right where they're calling for it, not above their heads, not below their knees. Hit them in rhythm, right into their hands, right where they're calling for it. We didn't do a good job of it last night. We were chasing above our heads, sideways...
GH: That's your first exhibition game.
BH: Yeah, that's why we're playing them. That's why we're here. It's gotta get better.
GH: Thanks, Coach--see you at the next game!
Saturday, October 23, 2021
Wednesday, January 13, 2021
Wednesday, August 29, 2018
Tuesday, October 25, 2016
Gaucho Hoops All-Access - UCSB Women's Basketball Practice
November 22, 2016
UCSB Women's basketball practice at the Thunderdome
Coach Bonnie Henrickson and her staff put the team through some shooting drills, before running the St. Joe's drill. It's a transition offense drill, and forces the players to play through fatigue.
The drill starts with a 2-on-1 fast break, and then moves in the opposite direction with a 3-on-2, and then reverses again with a 4-on-3, incrementally adding one player in the opposite direction, until it ends up being a 5-on-5 drill. The goal is to pass and move, and not stand around.
It looks like the Gauchos run the motion offense. It requires a high basketball IQ, and the ability to recognize how defenses are playing. The goal is to take what the defense gives you, and if they cheat in one area, then take advantage and go the other direction. It requires constant motion and recognition.
The point guard is key to this offense. Coach Henrickson was urging her point guards "To be a point guard," and to not give up their dribble prematurely.
Other points of emphasis were the player with the ball to wait for the screen, and not just run at it (presumably to avoid a moving pick foul). The person with the ball can be late, but not early in waiting for the screen.
The Lady Gauchos will run more this year, and try to push it and get "numbers" (having the offense beat the opponent's defense down the court) if it's there. If the numbers advantage isn't there, then it's up to the point guard to pull it back and start the halfcourt offense. But the point guard shouldn't call the offense until she crosses the halfcourt line.
Coach Henrickson also emphasized the point guards to lead with a calm voice, and to sometimes slow down so her teammates can catch up to her. In other words, the point guard can get upcourt fast, but that doesn't help if her teammates haven't caught up to run the offense.
Tal Sahar really stood out as an overall player: she's athletic, aggressive, and a good perimeter shooter with range. She will redshirt this year after transferring in from Seattle.
The frontcourt looks much taller this year also.
The point guard must also recognize who the halfbacks and fullbacks are in the offense.
It's also harder for the point guard to make the entry pass from the top of the key, as the angle isn't there. They must also recognize which teammate is hot, and feed her.
On defense, staying in front of the opponent is key and the bias is to steer them to the sideline.
They practiced the Stanford out of bounds play, where the ball goes to the corner off the double pick.
More Coach Henrickson tidbits: "Don't jog! If you're not open, cut!"
They then practiced end of quarter scenarios, where they would execute 2 possessions for 1.
She urged the players to play to their strengths. For example, if finishing with the left hand is a problem, drive and finish to the right.
Practice ended with the 3-woman weave drill. Here is video of the drill.
https://youtu.be/6MTAv4bNih0
UCSB Women's basketball practice at the Thunderdome
Coach Bonnie Henrickson and her staff put the team through some shooting drills, before running the St. Joe's drill. It's a transition offense drill, and forces the players to play through fatigue.
The drill starts with a 2-on-1 fast break, and then moves in the opposite direction with a 3-on-2, and then reverses again with a 4-on-3, incrementally adding one player in the opposite direction, until it ends up being a 5-on-5 drill. The goal is to pass and move, and not stand around.
It looks like the Gauchos run the motion offense. It requires a high basketball IQ, and the ability to recognize how defenses are playing. The goal is to take what the defense gives you, and if they cheat in one area, then take advantage and go the other direction. It requires constant motion and recognition.
The point guard is key to this offense. Coach Henrickson was urging her point guards "To be a point guard," and to not give up their dribble prematurely.
Other points of emphasis were the player with the ball to wait for the screen, and not just run at it (presumably to avoid a moving pick foul). The person with the ball can be late, but not early in waiting for the screen.
The Lady Gauchos will run more this year, and try to push it and get "numbers" (having the offense beat the opponent's defense down the court) if it's there. If the numbers advantage isn't there, then it's up to the point guard to pull it back and start the halfcourt offense. But the point guard shouldn't call the offense until she crosses the halfcourt line.
Coach Henrickson also emphasized the point guards to lead with a calm voice, and to sometimes slow down so her teammates can catch up to her. In other words, the point guard can get upcourt fast, but that doesn't help if her teammates haven't caught up to run the offense.
Tal Sahar really stood out as an overall player: she's athletic, aggressive, and a good perimeter shooter with range. She will redshirt this year after transferring in from Seattle.
The frontcourt looks much taller this year also.
The point guard must also recognize who the halfbacks and fullbacks are in the offense.
It's also harder for the point guard to make the entry pass from the top of the key, as the angle isn't there. They must also recognize which teammate is hot, and feed her.
On defense, staying in front of the opponent is key and the bias is to steer them to the sideline.
They practiced the Stanford out of bounds play, where the ball goes to the corner off the double pick.
More Coach Henrickson tidbits: "Don't jog! If you're not open, cut!"
They then practiced end of quarter scenarios, where they would execute 2 possessions for 1.
She urged the players to play to their strengths. For example, if finishing with the left hand is a problem, drive and finish to the right.
Practice ended with the 3-woman weave drill. Here is video of the drill.
https://youtu.be/6MTAv4bNih0
Monday, October 17, 2016
Interview with UCSB Women's Basketball Head Coach Bonnie Henrickson
Gaucho
Hoops ("GH"): Thanks for taking this interview, Coach Henrickson.
First off, I wanted to mention that I was in attendance for last
season's finale, the heart-breaking 71-67 loss to eventual Big West
Conference Tournament runner-up, UC-Davis. It looked like the Gauchos
were about to get blown out by the Aggies, but the Lady Gauchos battled
back and briefly took the lead before succumbing in the end. It was one
of the scrappiest efforts I've ever seen, and the team appeared so
focused, determined, and fundamentally disciplined.
Coach Bonnie Henrickson ("BH"): Thanks for that. Yes, in the beginning of the year, the team was content with close losses. We turned that complacency around and played not just to compete, but to win games. The team really thought they could win that game.
GH: With most teams, leaders emerge. Who are the leaders on this team?
BH: We have four captains which were voted in by the team: two seniors and two juniors. Mi'Chael Wright is a senior forward, Onome Jemerigbe is a senior point guard. Drew Edelman is a redshirt junior forward, who transferred in from USC, and Chaya Durr is also a junior. All four are very positive, and it's their responsibility to make sure each teammate is accountable. They make sure we all check ourselves. The captains are pretty vocal, and they also lead by example.
GH: At Kansas, your recruiting base was nationwide. How is recruiting different at UCSB?
BH: Fortunately, the west coast has a deep talent pool, especially in California. At KU, half of the time, we were recruiting in California, so our staff had previously established relationships with high school and club coaches. That was a tremendous advantage. UCSB has high academics, so we recruit smart players both on and off the court. And yes, the location is nice and an easy sell, but the players who want to come to UCSB are also very competitive student-athletes. That's why they come here.
GH: I noticed that in the several players' bio's. Several won academic honors in addition to their athletic achievements.
BH: Yes, California is a #1 recruiting priority. Even our out-of-state transfers are from California.
GH: Let's cover the roster.
BH: Onome has started at point guard for three years. She is being pushed by Drea Toler, who redshirted last season after transferring from Oregon. Onome is a real good on-ball defender, and can drive and kick it out. She is working on her shot to keep opposing defenders honest.
Drea is a capable 3-point shooter, and is very fast. Her challenge is trying to slow things down. She's a good on-ball defender, is good in transition, and incredibly unselfish.
GH: That's an interesting point. Coach Williams [men's basketball head coach] said the same thing about his incoming players. They try to do too much too quickly, resulting in turnovers. Slowing things down lets their athleticism take over.
BH: Makala Roper, was an honorable mention all-Big West performer last season. She shoots a high percentage from the the floor, and is our biggest 3-point threat. She's often a catch-and-shoot 3-point shooter. She is working on putting the ball on the floor, so she can get to the free throw line more often.
Coco Miller was consistent last year, which is remarkable for a freshman. Sometimes, it's not about making a brilliant play, but more about not making bad plays. She's smart, and plays within herself. She works hard, is a good defender, and understands positioning within our team defense.
Sarah Porter is a big guard, who shoots the 3-point shot well. We need her size on the glass. She's the best kid in the weight room, We're also working with her on putting the ball on the floor.
Aliceah Hernandez' ability to shoot the 3 point shot allows us to stretch the defense. We also ask her to put the ball on the floor. She's a smart kid. We need her to defend and handle the ball better.
Tal Sahar will redshirt this season and will become eligible in 2017 after transferring in from Seattle. She is a big guard with great length. She can shoot it from deep, also.
Chaya Durr started all last year at the 4 position. She is the most competitive player on the court, and gets the 50/50 balls. She's a great defender and takes great shots--she shot 45% from the floor. She's really athletic and finishes well.
Taylor Farris will only play the 4 this year. She is a capable 3-point shooter. She's long and lanky, and can dunk a tennis ball. She can be a good defender, and has good foot work and good bounce.
Drew Edelman is physical and finishes well. She's a great communicator, and was voted team captain in August, which shows you her leadership abilities. She runs the floor well.
Je Zhe Newton is a former juco player who keeps getting better She brings size to the position and finishes well around the rim. She's been out for a week due to injury.
Natalia Bruening is a freshman who played both club volleyball and club basketball in high school. Now that she is only focusing on basketball, she has really improved. She has a high ceiling.
Mi'Chael Wright is injured and may be out for the year.
Melissa Maragnes is coming back from an ACL and should return after the first of the year.
GH: Overall, how would you characterize this year's team?
BH: We're bigger inside this year. We're playing well in practice. Our depth has improved, so we are more competitive in practice this year.
GH: Let's cover some questions from Gaucho Soul, a fan..
Coach Bonnie Henrickson ("BH"): Thanks for that. Yes, in the beginning of the year, the team was content with close losses. We turned that complacency around and played not just to compete, but to win games. The team really thought they could win that game.
GH: With most teams, leaders emerge. Who are the leaders on this team?
BH: We have four captains which were voted in by the team: two seniors and two juniors. Mi'Chael Wright is a senior forward, Onome Jemerigbe is a senior point guard. Drew Edelman is a redshirt junior forward, who transferred in from USC, and Chaya Durr is also a junior. All four are very positive, and it's their responsibility to make sure each teammate is accountable. They make sure we all check ourselves. The captains are pretty vocal, and they also lead by example.
GH: At Kansas, your recruiting base was nationwide. How is recruiting different at UCSB?
BH: Fortunately, the west coast has a deep talent pool, especially in California. At KU, half of the time, we were recruiting in California, so our staff had previously established relationships with high school and club coaches. That was a tremendous advantage. UCSB has high academics, so we recruit smart players both on and off the court. And yes, the location is nice and an easy sell, but the players who want to come to UCSB are also very competitive student-athletes. That's why they come here.
GH: I noticed that in the several players' bio's. Several won academic honors in addition to their athletic achievements.
BH: Yes, California is a #1 recruiting priority. Even our out-of-state transfers are from California.
GH: Let's cover the roster.
BH: Onome has started at point guard for three years. She is being pushed by Drea Toler, who redshirted last season after transferring from Oregon. Onome is a real good on-ball defender, and can drive and kick it out. She is working on her shot to keep opposing defenders honest.
Drea is a capable 3-point shooter, and is very fast. Her challenge is trying to slow things down. She's a good on-ball defender, is good in transition, and incredibly unselfish.
GH: That's an interesting point. Coach Williams [men's basketball head coach] said the same thing about his incoming players. They try to do too much too quickly, resulting in turnovers. Slowing things down lets their athleticism take over.
BH: Makala Roper, was an honorable mention all-Big West performer last season. She shoots a high percentage from the the floor, and is our biggest 3-point threat. She's often a catch-and-shoot 3-point shooter. She is working on putting the ball on the floor, so she can get to the free throw line more often.
Coco Miller was consistent last year, which is remarkable for a freshman. Sometimes, it's not about making a brilliant play, but more about not making bad plays. She's smart, and plays within herself. She works hard, is a good defender, and understands positioning within our team defense.
Sarah Porter is a big guard, who shoots the 3-point shot well. We need her size on the glass. She's the best kid in the weight room, We're also working with her on putting the ball on the floor.
Aliceah Hernandez' ability to shoot the 3 point shot allows us to stretch the defense. We also ask her to put the ball on the floor. She's a smart kid. We need her to defend and handle the ball better.
Tal Sahar will redshirt this season and will become eligible in 2017 after transferring in from Seattle. She is a big guard with great length. She can shoot it from deep, also.
Chaya Durr started all last year at the 4 position. She is the most competitive player on the court, and gets the 50/50 balls. She's a great defender and takes great shots--she shot 45% from the floor. She's really athletic and finishes well.
Taylor Farris will only play the 4 this year. She is a capable 3-point shooter. She's long and lanky, and can dunk a tennis ball. She can be a good defender, and has good foot work and good bounce.
Drew Edelman is physical and finishes well. She's a great communicator, and was voted team captain in August, which shows you her leadership abilities. She runs the floor well.
Je Zhe Newton is a former juco player who keeps getting better She brings size to the position and finishes well around the rim. She's been out for a week due to injury.
Natalia Bruening is a freshman who played both club volleyball and club basketball in high school. Now that she is only focusing on basketball, she has really improved. She has a high ceiling.
Mi'Chael Wright is injured and may be out for the year.
Melissa Maragnes is coming back from an ACL and should return after the first of the year.
GH: Overall, how would you characterize this year's team?
BH: We're bigger inside this year. We're playing well in practice. Our depth has improved, so we are more competitive in practice this year.
GH: Let's cover some questions from Gaucho Soul, a fan..
1) How was the transition from a bigger women's basketball program like
Kansas to UCSB? What was the most difficult and the best part of the
move?
BH: Historically, UCSB women's basketball has been a successful program. It's a priority here. So it matters to me that they care about winning. We had to build trust in the players. As I said, while at KU, we were already recruiting California players, so that helped the transition. With the storied history, and high academics at UCSB, we've been able to attract competitors on the court and in the classroom.
GH:
BH: Historically, UCSB women's basketball has been a successful program. It's a priority here. So it matters to me that they care about winning. We had to build trust in the players. As I said, while at KU, we were already recruiting California players, so that helped the transition. With the storied history, and high academics at UCSB, we've been able to attract competitors on the court and in the classroom.
GH:
2) What is the ultimate goal for UCSB and how high can this program go nationally?
BH: Our goal is to win the Big West Conference regular season and Tournament championships. Once in the NCAA playoffs, it's about match ups. Our nonconference schedule is good preparation for league play. The league is good. Our goal is to go to the NCAA's and advance.
GH:
BH: Our goal is to win the Big West Conference regular season and Tournament championships. Once in the NCAA playoffs, it's about match ups. Our nonconference schedule is good preparation for league play. The league is good. Our goal is to go to the NCAA's and advance.
GH:
3)
UCSB's WBB program was once a dominant program under HC Mark
French but struggled after his retirement. How difficult was it to
change the mentality of the players and how did you go about changing a
program that went 2-27 before you were hired?
BH: It's about winning, not just competing. I got livid after we lost by a couple possessions earlier in the season because some players were satisfied that it was a close game even though we lost. The players' mentality was that it was an improvement over the season before. I had to instill the mentality that competing was not enough. We were able to establish a winning culture. We had to embrace playing the right way.
GH:
BH: It's about winning, not just competing. I got livid after we lost by a couple possessions earlier in the season because some players were satisfied that it was a close game even though we lost. The players' mentality was that it was an improvement over the season before. I had to instill the mentality that competing was not enough. We were able to establish a winning culture. We had to embrace playing the right way.
GH:
4) How talented is the 2016-2017 team and will they contend for the BW title and possibly more?
BH: We need to get better and stay healthy. We have to rebound better, and play better defense, and score more in transition. We need to shoot the 3-point shot better. We are hungrier this year, and the conversation is different, as expectations are higher. Practices are much more competitive.
GH:
BH: We need to get better and stay healthy. We have to rebound better, and play better defense, and score more in transition. We need to shoot the 3-point shot better. We are hungrier this year, and the conversation is different, as expectations are higher. Practices are much more competitive.
GH:
5)
More and more the WBB programs from the bigger conference are
dominating the games and during March Madness with less and less upsets.
Do you feel that SB and other smaller program can catch up and what is
the best path to accomplish that goal?
BH: The power conferences have bigger, stronger, faster athletes. The advent of the 3-point shot can neutralize size, athleticism, and speed. UCSB has a history of a Sweet 16 under Coach Mark French.
GH: Thanks for sharing your team, Coach Henrickson. Good luck this year, and see you at the games.
BH: Sure. Come on down. It should be an exciting year.
BH: The power conferences have bigger, stronger, faster athletes. The advent of the 3-point shot can neutralize size, athleticism, and speed. UCSB has a history of a Sweet 16 under Coach Mark French.
GH: Thanks for sharing your team, Coach Henrickson. Good luck this year, and see you at the games.
BH: Sure. Come on down. It should be an exciting year.
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Monday, February 25, 2013
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Men's and women's hoops season tickets on sale
http://ucsbgauchos.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/072610aaa.html
With value pricing remaining at last year's level and the new "Double Up" offer, Gaucho fans won't want to miss a minute of basketball this season. For the low price of just $200 (six bucks per game!) fans will receive both a men's and women's season ticket - that's nearly a 50% savings off the single game price!
Season tickets are $125 for the men and $100 for the women. UCSB faculty and staff will receive 50% off every season ticket purchased. Gaucho Fund donors - the donors who make The Difference - at $300 and above can sit in cushioned chairback seating behind the team benches known as the Gold Zone. Plus, UCSB faculty and staff will receive 50% off every season ticket purchased.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
UCSB Inaugural Basketball Media Preview Luncheon Nov. 6
According to the UCSB Athletics Department:
For the complete press release:
UCSB Inaugural Basketball Media Preview Luncheon Nov. 6
UC Santa Barbara will host its inaugural Basketball Media Preview Luncheon on Nov. 6, 2008 from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Cabrillo Arts Pavilion on the beach in Santa Barbara. The event will be open to the public as well as the media, and food will be available.
"We are very excited about beginning a new era in women's basketball at UCSB, but really, we are excited about both programs," said Athletics Director Mark Massari. "This will be a great opportunity for us to make the teams accessible to the public, as well as the media, giving everyone a chance to see why we are so excited."
The players and coaches will take part in a meet-and-greet with the public and media, as well as a traditional press conference.
For the complete press release:
UCSB Inaugural Basketball Media Preview Luncheon Nov. 6
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