St. John's University Athletics
2008-09 St. John's Women's Basketball Outlook
11/10/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 10, 2008
QUEENS, N.Y. - The future is bright for the St. John's women's basketball program, and the 2008-09 edition is primed to make an impact in the BIG EAST Conference. The team is coming off a highly successful 2007-08 campaign, where it made its fifth-straight appearance in the BIG EAST Tournament and advanced to the quarterfinals of the Postseason WNIT. Last year's squad was a young team comprised of eight underclassmen, however, the experience gained from competing in one of the nation's top conferences and making a run in postseason play can only lead to bigger and better things this season.
"I thought we finished the year on a very positive note with the run at the end of the season, quality wins over Notre Dame and Boston College, and a tough loss on the road against NC State," said head coach Kim Barnes Arico. "I was really impressed with the way we came together at the end of the season and I am hoping that we can build off of that this year."
Barnes Arico continues to lead the Red Storm to new success as she enters her seventh year at the helm of the program. She has assembled another talented group, as eight letterwinners and three starters return, along with three highly-talented newcomers. The six upperclassmen do an effective job of executing the Barnes Arico system, and the three sophomores should continue to make big contributions to the team. This year's three-person freshmen class is athletic and talented, and has a core group of seasoned players to learn from.
"We have a great nucleus coming back," Barnes Arico said. "They were here this summer working out, conditioning and getting a jump-start on their academics. We have a lot of bright, young players in the program. The returning players have experience, but they have to raise the bar."
The biggest challenge for the Red Storm will be filling the void of four-year starter and four-time All-BIG EAST selection Kia Wright and key contributor Tiina Sten, as both graduated last spring. The team's floor general, Wright capped off her career as the school's fourth all-time leading scorer and was the go-to-player in big games. Senior Monique McLean will be relied upon to take the lead and step into this role, which should be an easy transition as she was St. John's leading scorer last season. Sophomore Centhya "Coco" Hart should transition well into the other starting role, building off her experience of starting the last two games in 2007-08.
"There is going to be a big hole to fill with the loss of Kia, who is one of the best players to come through the program, and Tiina, who was a major contributor for four years," Barnes Arico said. "We will miss their floor presence as well as their leadership. Monique is aware she is the most experienced player returning. The expectations are high for her this year from a leadership and a production standpoint. We are looking for her to be the scorer, defender and leader of our team."
A roster that has added depth and increased athleticism will give Barnes Arico various options on the hardwood. The team is quick, likes to run the floor and can knock down an open 3. While the team may not be the biggest in size, Barnes Arico compensates by running a fast-tempo, high-scoring offense with strong transition play.
"The way we finished last year with pressing, and running suits our personnel really well," said Barnes Arico. "We are a little undersized, but we are quick, athletic and tough inside. Coming into the season being undersized has no effect on our strength or skills in transition and our get-it-and-go style of play."
Backcourt
Although the backcourt suffered a loss with the graduation of Wright last year, it returns a core group of players and welcomes two newcom¬ers. The group is experienced and athletic, and each player brings a different dynamic to the court.
McLean is poised to have another stellar campaign for the Red Storm. She has led the team in scoring in each of the past two seasons, including averaging 14.7 points in 2007-08. She turned in 26 double-digit scoring efforts and posted nine 20-point scoring efforts last year, garnering All-Met (MBWA) second team honors. The senior also scored her 1,000th career point and enters 2008-09 ranked 12th on the all-time scoring list with 1,105. An all-round scoring threat, McLean is one of the team's top defenders and is strong on the glass, finishing the season ranked second with a 5.4 rebounding average.
"I think Monique is one of the best returning guards in the confer¬ence," Barnes Arico said. "She has been a solid player for us and is trying to take her game to the next level by being more consistent. Monique is a tremendous athlete, shoots the ball extremely well and can take you off the dribble. Monique is a big guard who can rebound, which is an added benefit."
Sky Lindsay is the only rookie from last year's team to start and play in all 33 games. She gained a tremendous amount of experience during her freshman campaign, and that should translate into more consistency this season. Lindsay was the team's third-leading scorer last year averaging 8.5 points per game, and she recorded 13 double-figure scoring contests. She averaged 7.9 points in conference games, earning All-BIG EAST freshman team honors.
"Sky's freshman year was a little bit of a transition for her, but she did some great things for us," Barnes Arico said. "Now that she has that experience, she is going to be ready to go. Sky is one of the best athletes that we have in this program. We are going to need her to score more than she did last year, become a better defender and become a better all-round player. Considering she is only a sophomore, she has a great career ahead of her."
Kristin Moore, who is entering her senior campaign, is expected to challenge for time at the point guard position. A junior college transfer, she has a year of experience in the system and running the offense, and should see more playing time. Moore played in 26 contests in 2007-08, but was sidelined in the middle of the season after having surgery to repair a torn meniscus. She is fully recovered and expected to improve her average of 2.6 points per game and 9.9 minutes of action.
"Kristin had a tough and inconsistent year at times because of her knee injury," said Barnes Arico. "I think she will be ready to go and have a little more confidence. She is a strong, tough, physical-type guard who can post you up, but also take you off the dribble. She has a great pull-up from inside the paint. She sees the floor really well and is very smart on the defensive end."
After sitting out a year due to NCAA transfer rules, Kelly McMan¬mon came into her own last season and made a name for herself as a highly-effective perimeter shooter. She was the team's fourth-leading scorer with 7.6 points per game, but led the team with 59 3-pointers and a 37.1 average from long distance. Her 59 long-distance baskets ranks second all-time in the St. John's single-season record books and her 159 3-point attempts were the third highest all-time. McManmon played in all 33 games and tallied nine double-figure scoring contests.
"Last year was really Kelly's first year of college basketball," Barnes Arico said. "She went to Indiana, but didn't play much her freshman year and then had to sit out when she got here. Last year was her first opportunity to get her feet wet at this level and she did a tremendous job. She is one of the best shooters in the country and that extends defenses and opens up a lot of things for us inside."
True freshman Britney Murphy is coming off a highly-decorated career at Arthur Hill High in Saginaw, Mich., and is expected to continue those efforts on the court this season for the Red Storm. She was the team's starting point guard for three seasons and will challenge for playing time at that spot for the Red Storm. During her senior year, she averaged 16.0 points, 5.0 assists and 3.6 steals per game. Murphy helped lead her team to three final four appearances from 2005-06 to 2007-08, and she won the 2007 state championship with her club team, the Michigan Crossover.
"Britney had an outstanding high school career," Barnes Arico said. "She is a scoring point guard who possesses a 3-point shot and a pull-up jumper, but can also get to the rim. She is a great passer, has great court vision, and is a strong, tough kid who works extremely hard. Obviously it is going to be an adjustment coming to the next level, but I think she has the tools to be successful."
Elon Sidney enters her rookie campaign with the Red Storm having to slowly integrate herself into the system after coming off ACL surgery in May of 2007. She saw limited time during her senior campaign due to the injury, but was captain of her team at St. Michael Academy. The Queens native averaged 7.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game for her career. Sidney is a solid, all-around player who can score from the perimeter, transition well and is a strong defender.
"Elon is overcoming an ACL injury, so this year will be an adjust¬ment for her," said Barnes Arico. "She's a great kid, a local kid, who we are excited to have join our program. She has to continue to do her rehabilitation to get herself back to where she was before her injury. She is a strong, physical guard who has a great feel for the game and is a good passer."
Frontcourt
The frontcourt has size, athleticism, a strong inside presence and plays well in transition. This area was strong for the Red Storm last sea¬son and it is expected to continue that success into 2008-09. Although the team has to fill the void of Sten, its returning players saw significant playing time last season and freshman Da'Shena Stevens will chal¬lenge right away for playing time.
Joy McCorvey enters her junior season as one of the most solid all-around players for the Red Storm. She is the team's top defender and rebounder thanks to her physical style of play. Starting in all 33 contests in 2007-08, she averaged 5.4 points and a team-high 5.5 rebounds per game. The Brewton, Ala., native also finished third on the squad with 32 steals. McCorvey will be looked upon to be a more effective scorer this season to complement her defensive game.
"Joy is a special player," Barnes Arico said. "She does so many intangibles that not many people see, especially if you don't know the game of basketball. She does so many things that make us so good as a program. She is a great player and brings intensity and leadership to this team. It is her junior year and I am expecting her to improve statis¬tically every season. Even though she is undersized for her position, she is very strong and physical."
After battling through a shoulder injury her freshman campaign, Aricia Mitchell had a breakout year in 2007-08 that can be attributed to her increased level of fitness. Mitchell is a strong post-presence who can score, block shots and rebound, but can also get up and down the floor in transition. She saw action in 31 games and averaged 4.6 points and 3.8 rebounds. Her rebounding average tied for the fourth highest on the team and her 45.2 shooting percentage ranked fourth.
"Aricia had an outstanding season for us last year," said Barnes Arico. "She can run the floor very well for a player her size. She is our best post-presence. She really demands the ball inside and can score inside. With her athleticism, she has the opportunity to block shots and is a strong defender. We are expecting her to improve from last year and have a great season for us. I am hoping she will get even better this year."
After starting the season contributing solid minutes off the bench, Hart developed into a strong defender and rebounder who started the last two games of the season. She fights for the ball and is physical inside. Hart finished her rookie campaign tied for fourth on the team with a 3.8 rebounding average. She had two double-digit rebounding games, including an 18-rebound performance against USF on Jan. 8 to tie for sixth in the Red Storm single-game record books. She will be expected to develop her shooting ability this year after averaging only 3.5 points per contest in 2007-08.
"Coco finished the season strong last year," Barnes Arico said. "She was a little inconsistent at times, but that happens to most freshmen when they get to the college level. She is capable of being a great rebounder and scorer for us this season. We need her to be more consistent to try to get that double-figure rebound game night in and night out."
Stevens is expected to make an immediate impact. She was rated the 17th-best small forward in the nation at the end of her senior year, according to Collegiate Girls Basketball Report, and was the No. 1 overall prospect out of the state of Connecticut. In her senior year at Trinity Catholic, she averaged 24.0 points, 17.3 rebounds and 4.7 as¬sists per game. Stevens finished her career with 2,182 points and 1,534 rebounds.
"I believe Da'Shena is one of the best recruits to come to our program," Barnes Arico said. "She is such a good player because she is so versatile. She can face the basket and she can post you up. She can shoot a three or she can drop step and make a post move. She can do a little bit of everything and she is a great rebounder. Da'Shena is very smart and knows the game. She does a lot of things and she is going to be a tough person to guard because she can play multiple positions."
Sophomore Sheree Ledbetter battled back from a stress fracture in her foot at the beginning of the 2007-08 campaign to play in 22 contests and average 6.1 minutes. She is quick and athletic, and is a strong rebounder that can run the floor well. She posted 13 multi-re¬bound efforts last year.
"Sheree is an undersized forward for us. We moved her from the guard position last year because of how strong and physical her pres¬ence was inside," Barnes Arico said. "She runs the floor well, rebounds well and can face the basket and take you off the dribble. She battled through some injuries that set her back, but she has been committed to the program, has worked out here all summer and I am hoping she has a tremendous sophomore campaign."
Victoria Hodges enters her junior season with the Red Storm, but has yet to see any game action. She has been plagued by a foot injury thus far in her career at St. John's, but is expected to come back this season.
"We're looking forward to seeing how Victoria plays," Barnes Arico said. "Because of injuries she hasn't played a minute of college basketball yet and she is in her junior year. She is a big, strong and a physical presence for us inside."
Schedule
Perennial powerhouse Baylor, home games with Connecticut, Rutgers and Syracuse, a record-tying two games played at Madison Square Garden, and five televised games highlight the upcoming schedule for the Red Storm.
The Red Storm opens the season at newly renovated Carnesecca Arena on Nov. 14 when it welcomes Northeastern. The game will be televised on SportsNet New York (SNY). The two teams have not faced each other since Dec. 28, 1996, when St. John's won its sixth-straight game and improved its series record to 12-2 over the Huskies. The Red Storm will hit the road for two contests, traveling to Dartmouth on Nov. 18 and Manhattan on Nov. 22. St. John's won last year's meeting, 74-31, over the Big Green, who later clinched a WNIT berth. The meeting with the Jaspers is the first since 1998, with STJ holding a perfect 10-0 record all-time.
In late November, St. John's returns to the friendly confines of Carnesecca Arena for four-straight games. The Red Storm opens the homestand hosting in-state rivals Army (Nov. 25) and Stony Brook (Nov. 28), then welcomes Vermont on Nov. 30 and Monmouth on Dec. 3. STJ won last year's meetings with Army, 72-58, and Monmouth, 71-48, but lost to Vermont, 66-48, in the championship game of the TD Banknorth Classic.
The Red Storm leaves the Northeast when it travels to Waco, Texas, to face Baylor on Dec. 6. The Lady Bears made an appearance in the 2008 NCAA Tournament and finished the season with a 25-7 record and a No. 12/17 final ranking. STJ will return to New York City on Dec. 13 and travel to Brooklyn to face local foe LIU.
Howard makes its first trip to Carnesecca Arena since 1989 when it faces the Red Storm on Dec. 16. St. John's holds the series lead, 4-1, and won the last meeting, 89-57, on Nov. 28, 2003, at the Rhode Is¬land Tournament. The Red Storm welcomes Houston, Buffalo and 2008 WNIT opponent Boston College for the St. John's-Chartwells Holiday Classic from Dec. 20-21, and STJ will open play facing Buffalo. The team will conclude non-conference action on the road at Boston University on Dec. 30.
The Red Storm opens BIG EAST play at "The World's Most Famous Arena" when it hosts Providence on Jan. 3 in a doubleheader with the men's team. St. John's will take its first league road trip when it travels to face the University of South Florida on Jan. 10. The team returns home to Carnesecca Arena to face Georgetown on Jan. 13 in a nation¬ally televised game broadcast on CBS College Sports. The Red Storm will then play three-straight 2008 NCAA Tournament opponents. After St. John's travels to face Notre Dame on Jan. 17, it will make the trip to face West Virginia in the BIG EAST Game of the Week, which will be televised on SNY. STJ will then return to Queens to welcome DePaul for a Tuesday meeting on Jan. 27.
Two-consecutive road contests ensue for St. John's before it hosts a three-game homestand, its longest of the season for conference play. The team plays Seton Hall in South Orange, N.J., on Feb. 1 in an ESPNU broadcast with tip-off slated for noon, and then the team travels to face Villanova on Feb. 4. The Red Storm will host its final game at Madison Square Garden when it welcomes Cincinnati on Feb. 8. The team will return to Carnesecca Arena to host 2008 Final Four participant Con¬necticut on Feb. 11 and NCAA Tournament team Syracuse on Feb. 14.
St. John's leaves the state of New York for two road games, when it travels to face Louisville on Feb. 17 and Marquette on Feb. 21. The Red Storm-Golden Eagle contest will be televised locally on SNY with tip-off slated for 4 p.m. The team will return to Carnesecca Arena to host Seton Hall on Feb. 25 and will close out its home schedule hosting Rutgers on Feb. 28. The Red Storm will conclude the regular season on the road when it faces its second-straight 2008 NCAA tournament team in Pittsburgh on March 2.
The BIG EAST Championship will feature all 16 teams this season in a five-day event that will take place March 6-10 at the XL Center in Hartford, Conn.
