After a 15-13 season and a first round knockout in playoffs, the De Anza College women’s basketball team is looking ahead to this season.
This year’s basketball team features 12 freshmen on a 13-player active roster.
Head coach Arden Kragalott said the inexperience of the players at the collegiate level contributed to a loss against East Los Angeles in the Mission College Tournament finals held on Nov. 9, 10 and 11.
The Dons placed second in the tournament championship after losing to East L.A., 47-41
“We had a wakeup call,” Kragalott said.
She said the team needs to improve on the physical and mental aspects of the game in order to have a successful year.
As far as team chemistry goes, Kragalott said it is not a problem.
“The more you play together, the better the chemistry gets. I definitely preach team basketball,” she said.
“What we run on offense and what we do on defense, you have to have a certain role you have to play. The kids have bought into that.”
The Dons will be playing four straight away games after the home opener against San Joaquin Delta College.
Kragalott said, “Being on the road as far as how the season is scheduled is actually going to make us tougher. They really need to be locked in and focused.
On the offensive end of the game, Coach Kragalott said the team will be running a motion offense which features very few isolation plays.
“Guard play is one of our team’s strengths,” she said. “That’s why we’re doing a lot of pick and roll, dribble drives right now.”
On the defensive end of the floor, the coach said she wants the team to be solid.
“We’re lacking right now in our man-to-man skills, which we’re working hard at every day, and our help side defense is not real good yet,” she said. “So, we’re playing a lot more trapping zones right now, and trying to catch up on our man principles. We’re not a gambling defense. We want to be real solid – limit second chance opportunities, box out.”
Alex Scoffone, the sophomore center, is considered to be the most important player on the team.
Kragalott said, “I think opponents will start getting more physical with her and try to double down on her, so that should open up our guards a lot more.”
She praised Scoffone’s leadership and focus.
Looking ahead in the season, Kragalott said the team’s goal will be to make the playoffs.
“We’ve made the playoffs in the five out of the last seven years. Having a successful season is getting a chance to play in the playoffs.”
Freshman pointgaurd Shayla McPhearson said that as long as they work as a team and work hard, “we [can] go far and accomplish a lot.”
Point guard Melissa Cabrera added, ” If we work hard together as a team, we [can] win the Norcal Conference.”
The Dons’ first home game will tip off tomorrow, at De Anza at 3 p.m. against the San Joaquin Delta College.
(LA VOZ WEEKLY)
