Thursday, Nov. 22, 2007

It's still a learning process for Stanislaus

Women have potential for big year once they get to know each other

It's going to take mental toughness for the Cal State Stanislaus women's basketball team to get through this weekend.

That's what coach Sharon Turner-Dean said of the Warriors' trip to Nampa, Idaho, today for the Northwest Nazarene University Hampton Inn Classic. Stanislaus opens the tournament against the host school at 7 p.m. Friday.

But arming themselves with intellectual fortitude is nothing new for the Warriors, who haven't won more than eight games in a season since 2002-03, Turner-Dean's first at Stanislaus.

Early injuries and conflicting class schedules haven't exactly made for a smooth start this season. Going into last week's Eva Schicke Memorial Classic in Turlock, the Warriors had yet to practice together, and it showed.

"They still don't know how to play with each other," Turner-Dean said. "When Kati (Busi) zigs, they don't know when to zag. They're starting to see how little distractions are affecting us."

Among the injuries slowing things are two concussions and a strained foot. The Warriors committed 37 turnovers in their season-opening 79-63 loss to Northwest Nazarene on Nov. 16 but bounced back with a sharper performance against Tampa the next night.

Stanislaus lost 75-62 but displayed a physical presence that often has been missing from the lineup the last few seasons, especially when senior Gwen Page missed the last eight games last season because of a broken left tibia.

The Warriors have more height and strength, particularly with Busi, a 6-foot forward from Calaveras High. One of eight freshmen, Busi led the team in rebounds both nights and was the leading scorer against Tampa with 15 points.

"Kati is going to be good," Turner-Dean said. "She has to learn like everybody else, but she listens and tries to do what you tell her to do. She works hard every second she's on the floor."

Sierra College transfer Rebecca Arent provides more muscle at 6-6, and a winning pedigree. Sierra finished second in the state playoffs last season.

Six veterans anchor the Warriors, including Page, who led Stanislaus in rebounds (159) and earned her second California Collegiate Athletic Association all-first team honor despite missing almost half the season.

Tiare Dvorak, Amanda Everett, Shristy Kumar, Aleta Stamps and Lysandra Williams started at various times last season. Kumar was an All-CCAA second-team selection, leading the team with 61 assists.

"I can't remember the last time I was this excited about a team," Turner-Dean said. "They're just a great group of kids, and they're so much fun. We're bigger, we're quicker, and we're more athletic. We've just got to toughen up a little bit."

In an effort to jump-start the Warriors, Turner-Dean invited to the Schicke Classic teams that would challenge Stanislaus. Weaker opponents may have enabled the Warriors to pick up a couple victories, but it wouldn't have prepared them for the competition to come.

"It would be false for us to begin with two teams we could have beaten," Turner-Dean said. "We'll get more out of this. The biggest thing our kids see is they need to be more aggressive."

The first step is a rematch with Northwest Nazarene, a Far West region opponent which Stanislaus started slow against last week. Defense has been a focus of the Warriors, who allowed 76.8 points per game last season.

Bee staff writer Kelly Jones can be reached at kjones@modbee.com or 578-2300.