Wildcat Women's Basketball Gears Up For Another Record-Setting Season: 2007-08 Preview
11/2/2007 4:18:26 PM | Women's Basketball
Gavin McFarlin - Assistant SID
Puzzles come in all shapes and sizes, but each piece must fit properly together to discover what the puzzle has to reveal.
For head coach Annette Watts and the 2006-07 Davidson women's basketball team, those puzzle pieces seemed to fit together so perfectly from the beginning that it formed one of the best seasons, if the not best ever, in the program's 27 year history. Davidson concluded the season with a school-best mark of 23-9. Included among the numerous accomplishments and records set by the team was the Wildcats' first-ever postseason appearance in school history when Davidson was selected to play in the Women's National Invitational Tournament.
“Last year was a record setter for us,” exclaimed Watts. “I felt good about how we played, but you always want a little bit more. Every team starts the season with a clean slate, and I definitely see last season's accomplishments as a great stepping stone to even bigger and better things to come this year.”
Gone due to graduation are three pieces of the last year's puzzle — starters Brynn Kelly, Jessica Mitchell and Tia Washington, who each left their marks in the Wildcat record books. There still though remains a very good core group of pieces that include the all important corner pieces to keep the puzzle in tack with the senior duo of Katie Hamilton and Danielle Hemerka along with the junior duo of Mercedes Robinson and Kelly Gassie.
The middle pieces of the puzzle, which help tie the corner pieces together, include senior Honna Housley, junior Mandy Halbersleben and sophomores Alex Thompson, Julia Paquette and Monica Laune. Add in the final pieces with the addition of four freshmen and this year's puzzle has the pattern of another successful design of a great season.
“This team has worked very hard this summer and showed they are motivated, primed and ready,“ said Watts. “They want to continue on the trail that was built last season. They're not driven to just do well; they are driven to excel.”
One main goal year-in and year-out for the 'Cats is to improve in all facets of the game, offensively and defensively.
Last year was no exception as Davidson ranked yet again in the top-five on both offense and defense categories.
One of coach Watts' trademarks since arriving at Davidson has been playing solid, shut-down defense, and the Wildcats did just that last season. Davidson finished in the top-five in the SoCon in defensive points allowed at 61.4, while for the second straight year, setting a new single-season school record in steals with 382, which ranked first in the league.
Offensively, the Wildcats will look to again push the tempo and use its quickness. Last season saw Davidson finish with an average of 70.6 points a contest, good for second overall in the SoCon. The Wildcats also ranked first or second in three other offensive categories.
“We won last year because we were a very efficient basketball team,” said Watts. ”We scored within our system and didn't turn the ball over. We shot free-throws well and caused our opponents to turn the ball over, which led to fast break opportunities and easy baskets.”
Two of the puzzle pieces returning to the starting lineup will be All-SoCon performer Hamilton and Hemerka. The versatile Hemerka will play at both the wing and forward positions and is expected to be one of the Wildcats' main threats on offense as the senior recorded almost 10 points a game and was tops on the team with 171 rebounds (5.5 rpg).
“I love versatile players, and Danielle is one of the best I've ever coached,” said Watts.
Hemerka was fourth in the conference in field goal percentage, nailing 48.7 percent of her shots and has been a staple in the Wildcats' lineup during her career, having started 79 of her 89 games played.
“We believe she will turn up her point production this year and as always, her leadership will be a consistent attribute,” stated Watts.
Hamilton, one of the main corner pieces for Davidson during her three-year playing career, returns for her final tour of duty in a Wildcat uniform and will be looking to put an exclamation point on a career that already has seen her become one of the greatest players in program history. For the third time in her career, the fifth-year senior garnered All-SoCon honors with first-team honors on the coaches team and a second-team nod on the media team. Hamilton became the 10th player in program history to eclipse the 1,000-point mark for a career and sits in sixth place all-time. She led the Wildcats with a 10.7 points per game average, the third time she has led the team in scoring in her career, and had the best three-point accuracy in the conference at 38.9 percent.
“Katie brings tons of confidence and a great deal of leadership to our team,” said Watts. “She is a player who wants the ball when the game is on the line, and she can deliver.”
Add in the seven other key letterwinners that all experienced the run to the semifinals of the SoCon Tournament and the program's first-ever postseason trip, and the picture to this year's puzzle is starting to show the same design of success that the Wildcats have experienced since Watts arrived on the Davidson College campus six years ago.
The Backcourt
After being one of the bigger strengths a year ago, the Wildcats enter the 2007-08 season with a few questions marks in their backcourt.
“We need to figure out who's going to do a bulk of the time at the point,” explained Watts. ”Kelly (Gassie) and Alex (Thompson) both saw more playing time at the other guard positions last year, but each have the ball-handling skills and knowledge of running our offense, that we are hoping one of them will step into the spot.”
To lessen that concern, though, is the solid versatility of this team. Honna (Housley), Gassie, Thompson and even (Ashley) Lax can play any guard position, so we will have to use the preseason to determine who best fits where in the system.”
Junior Kelly Gassie and sophomore Alex Thompson were two puzzle pieces in last year's run to the WNIT. Gassie was usually the first off the bench and played in all 32 games. She averaged 5.8 points per game, but Watts expects her to add to the offensive threat she was a year ago.
“A quick athlete who brings athleticism and spunk to our team,” said Watts about Gassie. “Consistency on both ends of the floor is a must this year for Kelly.”
Thompson showed a sharp eye from behind the arc, hitting 36 percent of her three-balls in 30 games as a freshman. She showed great composure in games last year, including a 10-point, three-assist contest against UNC Greensboro to open league play.
“Thompson focused her summer work on the point guard position and has come back quicker and more explosive,” said Watts. “She could be the main piece of the puzzle that we are missing at the point guard position.”
Freshman Chloe Woodington, who left Parkway High in Bossier, La. as the all-time leading scorer and an all-state second-team member her senior prep year would have also factored into the point position, but a preseason injury will force her to miss the season.
Adding valuable depth to the backcourt will be senior Honna Housley, sophomore Moncia Laune, and freshmen Kelly Gardner and Ashley Lax.
Housley was a vital part in last year's success, playing either guard spots.
“Honna did a nice job in filling in when we need her,” said Watts. “She again will be relied on to give us some defensive quickness on the court and to use her excellent post feeding abilities to get our forwards involved in the scoring.”
The senior had a career year, getting career highs in points (113), rebounds (56), three-pointers made (22) and games (30).
Laune saw action in 28 of the 32 games last year and will be asked to fill a number of roles while on the court.
“The team needs Monica to crash the boards and defend, and her scoring will come as she accomplishes those two things,” said Watts. “She has a great work ethic, and her attitude is super.”
Rounding out the backcourt will be freshmen Gardner and Lax.
A native of Indianapolis, Ind., Gardner average a double-double during her prep career — 20 points and 10 rebounds. She also was an honorable mention Street & Smith All-American and earned all-state honors her junior year.
“Kelly was recruited because she loves to rebound,” said Watts. “Add to the rebounding skills a nice touch from the field and a smart defender, and you have the ingredients for what I hope to be a major contributor for us this year and beyond.”
Lax was named the Female Athlete of the Year for 2006-07 season at Pulaski Academy and was rated the top small forward for Arkansas class of 2007 by Southern Starzz. She can also play either guard positions and will give the Wildcats a sharp-shooter from behind the arc.
“A highly recruited guard who can shoot, handle the ball and defend,” said Watts of Lax. “She is always thinking a step ahead on the court and extremely coachable and skilled.”
The Frontcourt
Anchoring the inside play with Hemerka for the Wildcats will be the junior combo of Mercedes Robinson and Mandy Halbersleben.
Robinson will slide right into Brynn Kelly's starting role and provide the Wildcats with a scoring and rebounding presence down on the blocks. The junior had two of Davidson's four double-doubles last season, while pouring in a career-high 7.3 points per game and hauling in nearly five boards a contest off the bench. She also was very efficient from the field, nailing 50 percent of her shots.
“I'm really looking for Mercedes to be a rebounding and point-scoring force for us on the blocks,” said Watts. “Her athleticism and strength are attributes we count on, and she has also taken on a leadership role this year, which she is excelling at during preseason work.”
Robinson has starting experience, having started nine games last year.
Improving in all facets of the game last year, Halbersleben will provide plenty of spark and hustle.
“She is one of the hardest workers on the team,” stated Watts. “This summer she really concentrated on free-throws and finishing inside, and she will give us great depth down in the post.”
The junior set nine single-game highs while playing in 31 of Davidson's 32 contests a season ago.
In addition to Robinson and Halbersleben, Davidson will also have the services of 6-2 sophomore Julia Paquette and freshman Kelsey Cary.
At times Paquette showed her immense potential last year. In just her third collegiate game at nationally-ranked Georgia, Paquette recorded 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting with four rebounds. Then against Wofford on Jan. 20, she dropped in a career-best 19 points in the Wildcats largest SoCon win ever.
“We are looking for Julia to have a huge impact for us this season,” said Watts. “She worked very hard over the summer to improve her post moves and to finish shots around the basket. Her size is a factor that opponents must contend with and gives us a nice advantage down low.”
Cary is coming off a successful prep career. She hails from San Anselmo, Calif., where she averaged 15 points for Marin Catholic. She also garnered All-State and First Team All-MCAL during her senior year.
“Kelsey is working hard to understand the speed of the college game,” said Watts. “Once she masters that change she will be a force to be reckoned with as she can finish both inside and outside.”
The Schedule
Of the Wildcats' 29 games this year, they will face 11 teams who garnered postseason bids, including four who qualified for the NCAA Tournament. In addition, the 'Cats will play two in-season tournaments and have their usual 18-game Southern Conference slate.
“What a schedule!” exclaimed Watts, who is 99-77 at Davidson. “It's definitely a challenging one, but you look back to last year's schedule, which was just as tough, and had the 'Cats not played this type of schedule, we would not have received the NIT at-large bid.”
Looking to build on last year's unprecedented success, Davidson faces an early test when it opens up at Georgia Tech on Nov. 9. Davidson will be facing the Yellow Jackets, who sported a school-record 21 wins and reached the second-round of the NCAA tournament a year ago, for the first time since the 2003-04 campaign.
Davidson then visits UNC Asheville in the opening game of the Carolina First Classic on Nov. 16th. Also attending the Classic will be Georgia State and Gardner-Webb.
On Nov. 24, the Wildcats face their cross-county rival Charlotte, who advanced to the second round of the WNIT last year.
The Wildcats will begin their quest for a SoCon title with a contest against Georgia Southern on Nov. 29.
After a home contest against Winthrop, Davidson begins a string of five straight games against postseason participants that include visits to Georgia and Virginia on Dec. 9 and 20. The Lady Bulldogs return three starters from last year's team, which finished 27-7 and advanced to the "Sweet 16" round of the NCAAs. The Cavaliers concluded the 2006-07 season with a trip to the third round of the WNIT.
Davidson finishes out its non-conference schedule and the month of December with a trip to Philadelphia, Pa., to play in its second in-season tournament at the St. Joe's Hawk Classic. The Wildcats will open the Classic against first-time opponent and WNIT participant, Auburn, on Dec. 28, before facing either St. Joseph's or New Jersey Institute of Technology on the 29th. St. Joseph's was also a participant in the WNIT and finished 19-14 a year ago.
Once the new year arrives, the Wildcats will be in the thick of SoCon play, starting and ending with games against College of Charleston.
Chattanooga has topped the SoCon in the regular season each of the past seven years, making the game against Chattanooga on Jan. 7 an early test.
Should the regular-season crown come down to the final games, Davidson will have to fight its way through three road games in the last four contests. The Wildcats wrapped up last year with a school-best 11-5 road mark.
The SoCon Tournament, Mar. 6-10, will again be held at the Charleston Coliseum in Charleston, S.C.
For head coach Annette Watts and the 2006-07 Davidson women's basketball team, those puzzle pieces seemed to fit together so perfectly from the beginning that it formed one of the best seasons, if the not best ever, in the program's 27 year history. Davidson concluded the season with a school-best mark of 23-9. Included among the numerous accomplishments and records set by the team was the Wildcats' first-ever postseason appearance in school history when Davidson was selected to play in the Women's National Invitational Tournament.
“Last year was a record setter for us,” exclaimed Watts. “I felt good about how we played, but you always want a little bit more. Every team starts the season with a clean slate, and I definitely see last season's accomplishments as a great stepping stone to even bigger and better things to come this year.”
Gone due to graduation are three pieces of the last year's puzzle — starters Brynn Kelly, Jessica Mitchell and Tia Washington, who each left their marks in the Wildcat record books. There still though remains a very good core group of pieces that include the all important corner pieces to keep the puzzle in tack with the senior duo of Katie Hamilton and Danielle Hemerka along with the junior duo of Mercedes Robinson and Kelly Gassie.
The middle pieces of the puzzle, which help tie the corner pieces together, include senior Honna Housley, junior Mandy Halbersleben and sophomores Alex Thompson, Julia Paquette and Monica Laune. Add in the final pieces with the addition of four freshmen and this year's puzzle has the pattern of another successful design of a great season.
“This team has worked very hard this summer and showed they are motivated, primed and ready,“ said Watts. “They want to continue on the trail that was built last season. They're not driven to just do well; they are driven to excel.”
One main goal year-in and year-out for the 'Cats is to improve in all facets of the game, offensively and defensively.
Last year was no exception as Davidson ranked yet again in the top-five on both offense and defense categories.
One of coach Watts' trademarks since arriving at Davidson has been playing solid, shut-down defense, and the Wildcats did just that last season. Davidson finished in the top-five in the SoCon in defensive points allowed at 61.4, while for the second straight year, setting a new single-season school record in steals with 382, which ranked first in the league.
Offensively, the Wildcats will look to again push the tempo and use its quickness. Last season saw Davidson finish with an average of 70.6 points a contest, good for second overall in the SoCon. The Wildcats also ranked first or second in three other offensive categories.
“We won last year because we were a very efficient basketball team,” said Watts. ”We scored within our system and didn't turn the ball over. We shot free-throws well and caused our opponents to turn the ball over, which led to fast break opportunities and easy baskets.”
Two of the puzzle pieces returning to the starting lineup will be All-SoCon performer Hamilton and Hemerka. The versatile Hemerka will play at both the wing and forward positions and is expected to be one of the Wildcats' main threats on offense as the senior recorded almost 10 points a game and was tops on the team with 171 rebounds (5.5 rpg).
“I love versatile players, and Danielle is one of the best I've ever coached,” said Watts.
Hemerka was fourth in the conference in field goal percentage, nailing 48.7 percent of her shots and has been a staple in the Wildcats' lineup during her career, having started 79 of her 89 games played.
“We believe she will turn up her point production this year and as always, her leadership will be a consistent attribute,” stated Watts.
Hamilton, one of the main corner pieces for Davidson during her three-year playing career, returns for her final tour of duty in a Wildcat uniform and will be looking to put an exclamation point on a career that already has seen her become one of the greatest players in program history. For the third time in her career, the fifth-year senior garnered All-SoCon honors with first-team honors on the coaches team and a second-team nod on the media team. Hamilton became the 10th player in program history to eclipse the 1,000-point mark for a career and sits in sixth place all-time. She led the Wildcats with a 10.7 points per game average, the third time she has led the team in scoring in her career, and had the best three-point accuracy in the conference at 38.9 percent.
“Katie brings tons of confidence and a great deal of leadership to our team,” said Watts. “She is a player who wants the ball when the game is on the line, and she can deliver.”
Add in the seven other key letterwinners that all experienced the run to the semifinals of the SoCon Tournament and the program's first-ever postseason trip, and the picture to this year's puzzle is starting to show the same design of success that the Wildcats have experienced since Watts arrived on the Davidson College campus six years ago.
The Backcourt
After being one of the bigger strengths a year ago, the Wildcats enter the 2007-08 season with a few questions marks in their backcourt.
“We need to figure out who's going to do a bulk of the time at the point,” explained Watts. ”Kelly (Gassie) and Alex (Thompson) both saw more playing time at the other guard positions last year, but each have the ball-handling skills and knowledge of running our offense, that we are hoping one of them will step into the spot.”
To lessen that concern, though, is the solid versatility of this team. Honna (Housley), Gassie, Thompson and even (Ashley) Lax can play any guard position, so we will have to use the preseason to determine who best fits where in the system.”
Junior Kelly Gassie and sophomore Alex Thompson were two puzzle pieces in last year's run to the WNIT. Gassie was usually the first off the bench and played in all 32 games. She averaged 5.8 points per game, but Watts expects her to add to the offensive threat she was a year ago.
“A quick athlete who brings athleticism and spunk to our team,” said Watts about Gassie. “Consistency on both ends of the floor is a must this year for Kelly.”
Thompson showed a sharp eye from behind the arc, hitting 36 percent of her three-balls in 30 games as a freshman. She showed great composure in games last year, including a 10-point, three-assist contest against UNC Greensboro to open league play.
“Thompson focused her summer work on the point guard position and has come back quicker and more explosive,” said Watts. “She could be the main piece of the puzzle that we are missing at the point guard position.”
Freshman Chloe Woodington, who left Parkway High in Bossier, La. as the all-time leading scorer and an all-state second-team member her senior prep year would have also factored into the point position, but a preseason injury will force her to miss the season.
Adding valuable depth to the backcourt will be senior Honna Housley, sophomore Moncia Laune, and freshmen Kelly Gardner and Ashley Lax.
Housley was a vital part in last year's success, playing either guard spots.
“Honna did a nice job in filling in when we need her,” said Watts. “She again will be relied on to give us some defensive quickness on the court and to use her excellent post feeding abilities to get our forwards involved in the scoring.”
The senior had a career year, getting career highs in points (113), rebounds (56), three-pointers made (22) and games (30).
Laune saw action in 28 of the 32 games last year and will be asked to fill a number of roles while on the court.
“The team needs Monica to crash the boards and defend, and her scoring will come as she accomplishes those two things,” said Watts. “She has a great work ethic, and her attitude is super.”
Rounding out the backcourt will be freshmen Gardner and Lax.
A native of Indianapolis, Ind., Gardner average a double-double during her prep career — 20 points and 10 rebounds. She also was an honorable mention Street & Smith All-American and earned all-state honors her junior year.
“Kelly was recruited because she loves to rebound,” said Watts. “Add to the rebounding skills a nice touch from the field and a smart defender, and you have the ingredients for what I hope to be a major contributor for us this year and beyond.”
Lax was named the Female Athlete of the Year for 2006-07 season at Pulaski Academy and was rated the top small forward for Arkansas class of 2007 by Southern Starzz. She can also play either guard positions and will give the Wildcats a sharp-shooter from behind the arc.
“A highly recruited guard who can shoot, handle the ball and defend,” said Watts of Lax. “She is always thinking a step ahead on the court and extremely coachable and skilled.”
The Frontcourt
Anchoring the inside play with Hemerka for the Wildcats will be the junior combo of Mercedes Robinson and Mandy Halbersleben.
Robinson will slide right into Brynn Kelly's starting role and provide the Wildcats with a scoring and rebounding presence down on the blocks. The junior had two of Davidson's four double-doubles last season, while pouring in a career-high 7.3 points per game and hauling in nearly five boards a contest off the bench. She also was very efficient from the field, nailing 50 percent of her shots.
“I'm really looking for Mercedes to be a rebounding and point-scoring force for us on the blocks,” said Watts. “Her athleticism and strength are attributes we count on, and she has also taken on a leadership role this year, which she is excelling at during preseason work.”
Robinson has starting experience, having started nine games last year.
Improving in all facets of the game last year, Halbersleben will provide plenty of spark and hustle.
“She is one of the hardest workers on the team,” stated Watts. “This summer she really concentrated on free-throws and finishing inside, and she will give us great depth down in the post.”
The junior set nine single-game highs while playing in 31 of Davidson's 32 contests a season ago.
In addition to Robinson and Halbersleben, Davidson will also have the services of 6-2 sophomore Julia Paquette and freshman Kelsey Cary.
At times Paquette showed her immense potential last year. In just her third collegiate game at nationally-ranked Georgia, Paquette recorded 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting with four rebounds. Then against Wofford on Jan. 20, she dropped in a career-best 19 points in the Wildcats largest SoCon win ever.
“We are looking for Julia to have a huge impact for us this season,” said Watts. “She worked very hard over the summer to improve her post moves and to finish shots around the basket. Her size is a factor that opponents must contend with and gives us a nice advantage down low.”
Cary is coming off a successful prep career. She hails from San Anselmo, Calif., where she averaged 15 points for Marin Catholic. She also garnered All-State and First Team All-MCAL during her senior year.
“Kelsey is working hard to understand the speed of the college game,” said Watts. “Once she masters that change she will be a force to be reckoned with as she can finish both inside and outside.”
The Schedule
Of the Wildcats' 29 games this year, they will face 11 teams who garnered postseason bids, including four who qualified for the NCAA Tournament. In addition, the 'Cats will play two in-season tournaments and have their usual 18-game Southern Conference slate.
“What a schedule!” exclaimed Watts, who is 99-77 at Davidson. “It's definitely a challenging one, but you look back to last year's schedule, which was just as tough, and had the 'Cats not played this type of schedule, we would not have received the NIT at-large bid.”
Looking to build on last year's unprecedented success, Davidson faces an early test when it opens up at Georgia Tech on Nov. 9. Davidson will be facing the Yellow Jackets, who sported a school-record 21 wins and reached the second-round of the NCAA tournament a year ago, for the first time since the 2003-04 campaign.
Davidson then visits UNC Asheville in the opening game of the Carolina First Classic on Nov. 16th. Also attending the Classic will be Georgia State and Gardner-Webb.
On Nov. 24, the Wildcats face their cross-county rival Charlotte, who advanced to the second round of the WNIT last year.
The Wildcats will begin their quest for a SoCon title with a contest against Georgia Southern on Nov. 29.
After a home contest against Winthrop, Davidson begins a string of five straight games against postseason participants that include visits to Georgia and Virginia on Dec. 9 and 20. The Lady Bulldogs return three starters from last year's team, which finished 27-7 and advanced to the "Sweet 16" round of the NCAAs. The Cavaliers concluded the 2006-07 season with a trip to the third round of the WNIT.
Davidson finishes out its non-conference schedule and the month of December with a trip to Philadelphia, Pa., to play in its second in-season tournament at the St. Joe's Hawk Classic. The Wildcats will open the Classic against first-time opponent and WNIT participant, Auburn, on Dec. 28, before facing either St. Joseph's or New Jersey Institute of Technology on the 29th. St. Joseph's was also a participant in the WNIT and finished 19-14 a year ago.
Once the new year arrives, the Wildcats will be in the thick of SoCon play, starting and ending with games against College of Charleston.
Chattanooga has topped the SoCon in the regular season each of the past seven years, making the game against Chattanooga on Jan. 7 an early test.
Should the regular-season crown come down to the final games, Davidson will have to fight its way through three road games in the last four contests. The Wildcats wrapped up last year with a school-best 11-5 road mark.
The SoCon Tournament, Mar. 6-10, will again be held at the Charleston Coliseum in Charleston, S.C.
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