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Women's Basketball Ready for Newcomers
11/16/2000 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 16, 2000
BOCA RATON, FL -
The Boca Raton News
Written by Marcus Nelson
Sports Editor
After her first year at FAU, head coach Chacellor Dugan couldn't wait until she could recruit the kind of players that would fit her system.
So in preparation for the 2000-01 season, which begins Saturday, she not only went out and got those kind of players, she got a lot of them.
The Owls have 10 newcomers this season to meld with their three returning players. But the new players (eight freshmen, a sophomore and a senior who transferred from a junior college) have the potential to make the team a competitive one when it begins Trans America Athletic Conference play.
"I see the potential we have," said Dugan. "Who was 15-14 in her first year. "Down the road we are going to be a very good basketball team. But it's going to take a lot of hard work before we are that good of a basketball team. I am pleased with where we are right now, but I know we can get better."
The returning players--junior forward Kristy Halvorsen, senior guard LaTorria "LoTo" Matthews and senior forward Tamala Vaughn--will be integral parts of the team. However, for Matthews and Vaughn, more than scoring is expected.
"I'm looking for LoTo and Tammy to step up and be more vocal," Dugan said. "That's Tammy already, but LoTo has to step up and take that role a little bit more. They already have done a great job. When those two are out on the floor, those tow are so intense it brings up the level of play of everybody else. We need that experience out there."
Matthews, who averaged 11.1 points per game last year, knows that the newcomers have a great opportunity.
"I promise you. I wish I was a freshman," Matthews said. "They have a big class and have so many years together coming up. It's unbelievable. Through the years they are just going to get better and better."
The Owls will implement more of an end-to-end style this season.
"It's not an offensive philosophy change but more like getting back to a defensive philosophy that we're used to," Dugan said. "We now have the numbers to where we can press, sub in and be able to play our pressure defense to where we want to play it."
To play that style, the Owls will need a rotation that will go at least 10 deep--which means freshmen will get playing time.
"We're working hard, and the seniors are helping us out," said freshman guard Jill Banse. "We're hoping that over the years we can grow together."
Banse, a 5-foot-11 guard from Jupiter Christian, like many of the newcomers, had to meet the challenge of getting in playing shape for the Owls' style of play.
"In high school, we were a slow offense--never run-and-gun," Banse said. "I had to get in a lot better shape. The offense is so run-and-gun. We have to sprint all the time, and you're tired after three minutes."
Despite this being what Dugan calls a "rebuilding year", FAU is playing a rigorous non- conference schedule which includes games against Florida International, Miami and South Florida.
"I always want to play anybody, anywhere, but I have probably been a little ambitious on our scheduling," Dugan said. "We are going to find our weaknesses out quickly which is going help us in the TAAC."
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