2003-04 Women's Basketball Preview: High Expectations for This Squad

When you return Tameka Blue, the CCAA Freshman of the Year and the only freshman to be named a First-Team All-CCAA selection, surround her with leaders in senior Monique Marquez and junior Octavia Askew, a slew of incoming talent in freshman phenomenon Natasha Gray and junior gunner Lindsay Peloza, and mix in sophomore Zipporah Chase, who missed nearly all of last season from a knee injury but has all the skills to vie for the Conference Player of the Year, expectations are high, indeed.

The backbone of this year’s squad, boasts Head Coach Van Girard, will be its “very solid guards.” Led by First-Team All-CCAA and CCAA Freshman of the Year sophomore Tameka Blue and senior Monique Marquez, one of only two seniors on the squad, this pair of 5’ 7” guards will look to spark the Toros as they create opportunities for their scorers, delegate the offense’s responsibilities and agitate the opposing players on the defensive end.

“The team’s real strength is our perimeter players and their quickness,” Girard states. “We have a good mix of virtually interchangeable young and experienced players in our perimeter positions, with the ability to go inside as well as the ability to run the floor.”

THAT WAS THEN...

Although the 2002-03 squad ended its season with an overall 9-17 record and a ninth-place mark in conference, Girard knows his squad was dealt more than its fair share of misfortune. Injury, inexperience and inconsistency plagued the Toros after two of his three best post players, Zipporah Chase and Kendra Tease, were lost to injury two games into the season, and the third, Nakeisha Perkins, played the entire season with a known meniscal tear.

Those factors, along with the team’s youth, combined to bring inconsistency to a squad that more often than not fielded a starting lineup of freshmen at the point and shooting guard positions, a sophomore at power forward and a senior at center who played hurt the entire season.

The 2002-03 Toros did mature and improve, however, showing “tremendous growth,” according to Girard. After a stretch during which the players searched for their identity and a way to win without Chase and Tease, and with Perkins playing hurt, the Toros clawed back to post a respectable 5-5 record in the second half of conference play.

“It was amazing that we were in all those ball games (during the entire season).”

... THIS IS NOW

This season, the Toros defense, a staple in Girard-coached teams, again will be hawking and as tenacious as ever. CSUDH has 12 guards on its roster and the luxury to regularly employ fresh bodies on the floor to wreak havoc for the opposing point guards for 40 minutes.

“That’s kind of what we do,” Girard says with a smile. “Our guards are athletic and quick, and our ability to pressure the basketball on the defensive end is a lot greater because of the depth and quality of our guards across the board.”

On the offensive end, this Toros squad will focus on getting the ball to the hoop - to Chase, who can utilize her athleticism, and to freshman phenomenon Natasha Grey, who can excel in guard post-up situations around the basket. And when the opposition collapses to help, Girard’s outside specialists are ready, willing and very able to launch it from outside.

This season, if the squad is fortunate enough to stay healthy, Girard knows the Toros will compete and be successful. He stresses the short-term goal of improving on a daily basis to increase the team’s overall efficiency, and the fact that understanding and playing to the team’s strengths, and understanding and limiting the team’s weaknesses both will remain key to finishing the year in a position to reach the playoffs, the team’s ultimate goal.

“We have high expectations for this year’s squad. If we work hard at it daily, we can challenge for a playoff position. We’re good enough to be in the top four (in the conference). I’ll be very disappointed if we’re not in that situation.”

Here’s a closer look at the 2003-04 Toros:

GUARD

With a plethora of guards on this year’s roster, Girard notes that one of the many benefits will be the ability to go small ... and fast.

“The greatest strength of this team is its overall team quickness. I believe we can put five people on the floor who are capable of scoring.”

Led by Tameka Blue and Monique Marquez, that should be well covered in 2003-04.

Last season, Blue averaged 14.9 ppg and 4.27 assists per game in garnering both First-Team All-CCAA honors as well as the CCAA Freshman of the Year nod. This year, coach Girard knows the sky’s the limit for this sophomore sensation.

“She’s the second best deep shooter in the program, and can only get better.”

Marquez, in her fourth and final year as a Toro, averaged 6.0 ppg last season and has demonstrated leadership qualities that make her as valuable a commodity as any player donning the Cardinal Red and Gold, a quality the head coach recognizes.

“She’s the best leader we’ve had in a long time and basically, we’re going to go how ‘Mo’ goes,” Girard says of his senior co-captain. “She’s doing everything I could ever ask in terms of leading, defending, hustling, the overall great effort she brings every day ... I couldn’t be any more pleased.”

In addition to Blue and Marquez, Octavia Askew, the team’s co-captain who averaged 8.1 ppg and 4.0 rpg last season, will be key in terms of her defense, being a hustle player and someone to give the team a big lift energy wise when she sees playing time.

Aside from these three, a few new faces look to make immediate impacts to the program. Orchid Ryan is one of them.

“She’s probably the best guard in the program,” Girard says bluntly. “If she plays significant minutes, she’ll make us the best perimeter team in the conference. This kid can play.”

Coach Girard also praises the solid play of 5’7” Riverside JC transfer Javonda Moss.

“She’s smart, athletic and a good decision maker,” Girard states. “She’s not spectacular, but does a lot of good things and makes solid decisions.”

Also look for the athletic Johana Barahona, defensive specialist Lucinda Perez and junior Cortney Stewart, whose commitment and drive beckoned Girard to call her a “pleasant surprise,” to provide key minutes.

FORWARD

The forward position has a great mixture of veteran and new talent.

Led by Chase, who suffered a season-ending injury two games into last season and whom Girard refers to as the “X-Factor,” and freshman Natasha Gray, a standout prep at local powerhouse Long Beach Poly, coach Girard has high hopes for his 3 and 4 spots on the court.

“The best news is that we get Zipporah Chase back, who we think could be one of the top players in the conference,” Girard enthuses. “Without a doubt, she’s our strongest kid and probably our best finisher.”

Girard knows Chase will have to work herself back into prime playing condition, as the sophomore will see action this year for the first time since the 2000-2001 season (Chase redshirted in 2001-02, and was injured the majority of 2002-03). Potentially, however, the upside is huge.

“She could be an all-conference player,” states Girard.

Girard can’t help but gush when speaking about his new recruit Natasha Gray, who immediately is expected to make an impact on both ends of the floor.

“(Gray) really is a phenomenal basketball player who will be impactful defensively and offensively. Right off the bat, she’ll be a major contributor on the glass ... She’s just a solid basketball player.”

Additionally, junior Lindsay Peloza, whom Girard calls “one of the best shooters in the program,” along with freshman Evelyn Tupua, someone who’ll knock it down if given a look, give the Toros a pair of shooters who have the ability to provide immediate offensive firepower.

Add to the mix senior Adriana Mendez, who brings three years of experience, and Adiana Vega-Howard, one of the hardest workers on the team, and the Toro forwards look solid.

CENTER

The interior game will be played by committee, led by Keesha Aldridge, Ree Browne and Crystal Maciel.

Aldridge, a 6’ 2” junior who also plays middle blocker for the CSUDH women’s volleyball team, is a gifted athlete who gives the Toros a significant presence in the middle with not only her physical height, but also with her athletic jumping ability. Coach Girard knows an athlete like Aldridge has all the potential in the world, and isn’t afraid to say so.

“I expect major contributions from Keesha. We expect big things.”

Browne, who redshirted for the Toros last year, is the “most improved” player on the squad, according to Girard. The team’s blue-collar worker, the 6’ 0” Torrance, CA, native is expected to provide solid defense and consistent rebounding.

Maciel, more a finesse-type post player who possesses three-point range, also is expected to see time in the post, providing a non-traditional threat in the middle.

THE 2003-04 SCHEDULE

The Toros begin the season with four home contests in their first five games. After hosting Cal Baptist in the season opener on November 25, CSUDH hosts Biola before traveling up the 710 Freeway to battle crosstown-rival Cal State L.A.

After two more home nonconference games against Point Loma and Notre Dame de Namur, the Toros play at Vanguard before the start of the conference season, which begins with a home contest on December 27 versus CSULA.

In 2004, Cal State Dominguez Hills alternates between home and road weekends until mid-February, when the Toros play consecutive road series at Cal State Stanislaus / Cal State Bakersfield the weekend of February 20-21, and then at UC San Diego / Grand Canyon the weekend of February 27-27.

The Toros conclude their regular season at home, battling northern California foes Sonoma State and San Francisco State the weekend of March 5-6.