Often times as interns in the business world or as an inexperienced team in the athletics arena, student-athletes are often told that one of the best ways to develop a skill-set and learn quickly is to take on an overwhelming task and jump right in. The thought being, out of necessity the individual or team would learn the required skills or tactics to succeed at a rate much faster than normal.
This past summer's trip to Taiwan to compete in the William Jones Cup International Basketball Tournament against national and professional teams ranging from India to Taiwan, served that purpose for the returners on this year's Chapman University women's basketball team.
"What we were trying to do on that trip is that we knew we were going to play teams that were way better than us," said head coach Carol Jue. "What I was looking for was us to make plays against women that had a lot more experience than us."
The trip proved to be an important time for the young squad to develop and grow against a higher level of competition, particularly because of the youth with just three upperclassmen – all starters – back this season.
"Because you only get so much time together, I think it helped them learn and get experience under their belt, especially since we had a lot of freshmen on the team last season," said Jue.
With its first season in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) and the rigors of conference play on the horizon, Jue believes that this year's team should benefit from the Taiwan trip having faced such talent. To improve on last year's 13-12 campaign and get back to NCAA postseason play, Jue believes there are two major areas that need to be addressed: turnovers and an inside prescence.
Chapman led the SCIAC last season in turnover margin and forced opponents into 26 turnovers per game. At the same time, because of its fast-paced, full-court pressure style of play, Chapman committed nearly 21 per turnovers game.
"My biggest thing is we are definitely going to take care of the basketball," said Jue. "If we get a steal, we aren't just going to throw the ball up the court, we need to take care of it."
With all three backcourt starters back, the experienced upperclassmen trio of junior G Kimi Takaoka, senior G Anne Yoshimura and senior G Emily McCoy should provide some stability at the position and cut down on turnover issues. Takaoka is once again expected to shoulder much of the scoring load after leading the team as a sophomore in scoring average (15.9), field goals made (118), three-pointers made (32) and free throws made (113). She also finished second in the SCIAC in scoring average.
Setting the table as an offensive and defensive leader is Yoshimura who averaged nearly eight points in 25 starts and finished second in the SCIAC in steals (53) and assists (90). Sophomore G Andrea Villanueva will play an integral role on the team as well since she will be called upon to play every position on the floor. The senior McCoy is expected to build on a junior year in which she was third on the team in scoring average (10.2), steals (38) and three-pointers made (14).
"Emily (McCoy) just plays so hard, at one speed all the time," said Jue. "She's really coming into her own where we always knew she was the quickest and we knew she could be the best defensive player but I think she finally thinks that she can be that player too."
Although this season's newcomers didn't have the opportunity to travel to Taiwan per NCAA rules, the new faces still figure to play a prominent role. In addition to the three upperclassmen and Villanueva at the guard positions, freshman Lauren Sato (El Segundo HS) should step in and see some minutes as well.
"She was a scorer for her school but we are trying to make her a package deal," said Jue. "I think she can play defense and really help us by creating her own shot and get other people involved because she is a great passer."
With the departure of C Brandi Hood and F Liz Hartnett to graduation and the 19 points and 13 rebounds per game that go with them, several new frontcourt players are expected see significant playing time. Three freshmen in F Sandra Gao (Mark Keppel HS), F Laura Johnson (Dana Hill HS) and C Britt Lindberg (Tamalpais HS) provide an inside presence, although Gao is the only player with experience at the center position.
"We need them and their size to muscle inside and use their quickness at the same time," said Jue.
Even with some new frontcourt players added to the mix, Chapman, similar to years past still is a perimeter oriented, guard-driven team. Because of the team's style, endurance once again will be important as well.
"We really have to be in great shape as always," said Jue. "Endurance is going to be a factor and doing the little things and making the other teams make the mistakes."
With added experience from the Taiwan trip, an infusion of new talent and the additional motivation of competing for a SCIAC championship, this year's team has its eyes set on a top-four finish in the conference.
"I really hope to be in the top four, I really think with our style, teams are going to have contend with that," said Jue. "I hope to be in that top four so we can be playing for and vying for the chance to get back in the NCAA tournament."
by Chris Watts
Sports Information Assistant