The Voice - Student Newspaper

Staging fierce comeback

Lady Gauchos basketball has a fresh game plan for their upcoming season

By Justin Shepard
Reporter, The VOICE

Forget about the disastrous 2007-2008 season that the Lady Gauchos basketball team experienced. The season that included only four wins, plagued with shooting woes and injuries, is nothing but the past for this team.

The season may be just the beginning, but optimism is certainly felt among the club's coaches and athletes as tipoff nears.

Seventh year head coach, Tom Sutherland says that talent is the biggest difference between this year's team and last year's team.

The team expects to play at a 'run and gun' pace, hoping to quickly drain the energy of the opponent. Every 60 seconds a new group of players will be substituted into the game.

Coach Sutherland says that his team must be able to "run, shoot the three, and be able to press all over the floor."

Being able to successfully accomplish these three things are important in the quick pace of the game.

Sutherland also admits that he is concerned whether or not his team will be able to rebound the ball in this style of play. Rebounding is absolutely crucial on both ends of the court.

The team will also have to keep in top physical shape if they hope to be competitive at an energetic game pace.

"With the new way we are playing, we have to be more in shape to be successful," states Brittany Lopez.

A handful of returning experienced sophomores and impressive freshman make up this year's roster of the Glendale Community College (GCC) women's basketball team, each playing a critical role in the team's performance.

Sophomore Brittany Lopez had a stellar season last year, averaging over 10 points and 10 rebounds per game. Motivated by the team's struggles of last season, Lopez hopes to continue her strong performances on the court.

"That position [forward] is so different in the 'run and gun'. I think her [Lopez] statistics might be skewed a bit down from last year," according to Coach Sutherland.

Nonetheless, Lopez will undoubtedly be a crucial part of the team this year.

Several of the freshmen have captured the eye of the head coach.

Jennifer Kelley, from Apollo High School, thoroughly showcases her desire to compete.

"She just plays every play hard," states Sutherland.

The team's newly incorporated fast paced style of play serves well for Kelley, as she is a track and field competitor also.

Freshman Janessa Adeleye, from Thunderbird High School, is noted for her offensive abilities. She has proven that she can shoot the three pointers and drive the ball in deep. Greenway graduate Melissa Capone is another freshman that the team is looking to for offensive production.

To be successful in any area, chemistry is a must. In an athletic club, players must have confidence in their teammates and enjoy each other's presence. Evidently, this team isn't lacking in that department. Sophomore Kaitlyn McCanna notices the friendship between her teammates this year. Describing a major difference between her teammates of this season compared to last, she states, "the camaraderie. Everybody seems to be getting along a lot better this year…"

The Lady Gauchos will have to take advantage of the schedule which favors them early. 11 of their first 13 games will be played with home court advantage. This may be an opportune time to get the momentum rolling for the team. That is, if they can take advantage.

"I'm looking forward to seeing people's faces when we start playing our games," says McCanna.

The upcoming season looks promising for the team and it is clearly apparent in the faces of the coach and the athletes.

"We are going to be a different team this year and I'm looking forward to how everyone is going to react," McCanna concluded.

The regular season will get underway on Oct. 31 at 7 p.m., as GCC takes on Little Big Horn College, here at GCC.