Returnees and Freshmen

BabHorn

BabHorn

10,000+ Posts
Returning Starters:Kat Nash—6-2 Sr. G/F
Ashley Gayle—6-4 Jr. P
Ashleigh Fontenette—5-8 PG

Bench:
Yvonne Anderson—5-7 Jr. Combo G
Cokie Reed—6-4 Soph. P
Lauren Flores—5-7 Soph. PG (ACL in very early March)

Incoming Freshmen:
Tiffany Moore—5-10 G
Chelsea Bass—5-10 G
Chassidy Fussell—5-10 G
Anne Marie Hartung—6-3 F
Kenisha Harris—5-11 G/F (walkon)

I don’t expect any of the three returning starters to lose their spot. The big question is whether Cokie or Anne Marie will step up at the other post position or will Kat need to start there? If so, two of the incoming freshmen guards have a chance to start. If Kat is at the wing (SF), only one of the freshmen guards is likely to start. I’m not sure that Lauren will be able to come back and play this coming season, getting injured so late in the season. It’s possible but a lot depends on how her rehab goes.

We could also see a backcourt of Yvonne and Ashleigh. Regardless, like last season, everyone will need to contribute with only 11 players. Kristen not coming back really opens up playing time for Anne Marie. I would love to see Ashley and Cokie starting with Anne Marie in relief. I think that would give a lot of teams fits if those two can stay out of foul trouble. Those three can rebound, block shots, and score inside. Okay, so Ashley was a little weak in the scoring departemnt but I'm sure she is working on that.
 
Reed would start in place of Gayle if it were my call. She is much more offensive minded and is a pretty good defender. She will make strides in the off-season and unless Gayle develops into more of an offensive threat she may be looking at being on the bench when the games begin.
 
I hope to talk to Lauren during summer camp if she is there. I really think she could challenge for the starting PG position if healthy.

While I agree that Cokie was better offensively than Ashley this past season, she had trouble at the defensive end, reacting to things rather than anticipating based on knowledge and experience. My hope is that both are able to start and stay out of foul trouble since the team is very thin inside. That fact could result in the same type of rotation we saw last season. Cokie would be a much better option at PF given her offensive strenghts. I would expect that both Ashley and Cokie are working on their shortcomings this summer.
 
I hope she works on her mid-range jumper. I didn't see any jumpers where the backboard wasn't used. That is always a fear for the players with good size and athleticism who can get to the basket so they never work on their shooting touch.
 
Using the backboard is not a bad thing when you are that close. She showed she knew how finish inside, something we lacked at times last season. In addition to that long shot, she had nice form on her FTs. Remember, she was the main post player for her HS. She was not going to take a lot of outside shots. Looked like an excellent rebounder and she will create problems defensively for others on the wing or the occasion undersized PF. Certainly, one has to consider her ability to post up players a benefit.
 
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