After three-consecutive disappointing seasons, the Sacramento State women's basketball program will enter the new millennium with a new focus and a new head coach. Carolyn Jenkins has stepped in and taken over the reigns after assistant coaching stints at both Stanford and
Michigan State. The first-year head coach inherits a roster that features nine returners from last season's 6-21 squad, including three newcomers. And although the team finished eighth in the conference in 1999-2000, hopes are high that the Hornets can turn it around this year. "The team is pretty determined to do well this year," Jenkins said. "They feel they have something to prove and realize they are a better team last season's record. "There are two things we've really been concentrating on. First, we want to be in top physical condition where everyone on the team will be prepared to play 40 minutes. Secondly, we need to pay great attention to detail. We're a team that needs to do things extremely well to be
successful."
However, if the Hornets want to make a run at the Big
Sky, they are going to have stay healthy. Health has already been an issue, however, as three key players have been hobbled by injuries during the offseason. Juniors Tracey Keynon (shoulder) and Sephora Scoubes (knee) and sophomore Sydney Gatson (back) have each had
bouts with the injury bug. If the team is blessed with good health, Jenkins plans to use an up-tempo, inside-outside game while also placing a great emphasis on rebounding. Last season, the Hornets were outrebounded by an average of 9.5 rebounds per game. "We'd like to play an up-tempo game that can offset our size differential with other teams (only three Hornets stand above six feet tall)," Jenkins said. "As long as the team boxes out, they can control the boards regardless of how tall they are. We'll also play an inside-outside game. If we have an opportunity to get a shot off inside the paint, whether it be in transition or a post shot, that will be our first
outlet. If someone is covered well inside, we'll kick it out for the three."
The Guards
On paper, the Hornets have great depth at guard, but due to injuries, the position could be thin. Half of the roster is made up of guards as four returners (sophomores Rexanne Rodriguez and Sydney Gatson, junior Tracey Kenyon and senior Michelle St. Clair) and two newcomers Junior college transfers Rhayanna Berkowitz and Abbi Millwee) fill out the position. Leading the way, if healthy, will be Gatson. The 5-9 native of Concord, Calif., is extremely versatile in that she can play the point and on the perimeter while also posting up other players and rebounding. Last season, Gatson was one of five players to play in all 27 games while finishing second on the squad in assists and sixth in scoring. "We're still not sure if Sydney will be able to go this year," Jenkins said. "It would hurt us tremendously if we didn't have her, but everyone else will have to step up that much more. She's very strong physically and has the ability to create off the dribble, which is a skill not many players are blessed with."
The only player on last year's team to start all 27 games, Rodriguez will again get a good chunk of minutes this season at point guard. One of the squad's best defenders, she averaged a team-leading 30.4 minutes per game while pacing the Hornets with a .377 three-point percentage (23-61) and 86 assists. "Rexanne will have to set the tone
for us defensively which I know she can do," Jenkins said. "Your point guard is the extension of the coach and she's definitely going
to have to fill that role this year for us to be successful."
Kenyon, who has been battling a right shoulder injury, brings a great deal of energy to the floor and will get a good share of minutes according to Jenkins. The Citrus Heights, Calif., native started the final 18 games last season while finishing fourth on the team in rebounds. "If Tracey takes her time and puts up a shot when she's
open, she can be a very good shooter for us," Jenkins said. "She can also crash the boards and is someone I will rely upon to grab four-to-six rebounds a game."
The only fourth-year senior this season, St. Clair will again be counted on to knock down the three-pointer. The Grass Valley, Calif., native finished sixth in the Big Sky in both three-pointers made per game (1.8) and three-point percentage (.354) last season. "We will use Michelle to extend the defense," Jenkins said. "She's our best perimeter shooter and she will hover around the three-point line while looking for her shot."
Millwee and Berkowitz, who are both juniors, will provide depth at the position. Millwee comes from Reedley College where she was named co-MVP of the Central Valley Conference after leading her team to a 24-9 record and a conference championship. Berkowitz, who is the team's only walk-on, played two years at Sierra College. She was an all-conference selection both seasons while leading the Wolverines to a 34-1 record and the state championship in 1998-99.
The Forwards
This year's forwards combine to make up one of the more formidable groups in the Big Sky. At the forefront is junior Sephora Scoubes who was a first team all-Big Sky selection last season after posting averages of 14.8 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.8 steals and 1.2 blocks per game. Scoubes had offseason knee surgery but should be fully recovered by the beginning of the regular season. Scoubes, who led or was tied for the team lead in scoring in 18 of 27 games last season, can play either small or power forward and will again be looked to as a go-to player offensively, according to Jenkins. "Sephora is obviously someone who is a big-time player for us," Jenkins said. "Sometimes you wonder how she scores so much, but the bottom line is she always finds a way to put the ball in the basket."
One of two seniors, Torilynn Boyd enters her second year with the Hornets after taking a redshirt last season. Boyd, who can play either center or power forward, led the team and finished third in the conference during the 1998-99 season with 8.0 rebounds per game. She also led the team in five other categories including field goals
made, blocked shots and steals. "A key returner for us is Torilynn Boyd," Jenkins said. "She had an excellent summer in terms of preparing well for the season and will log plenty of minutes this year."
Sophomore Nichole Hardaway returns for her second season with the program after leading the team and finishing eighth in the Big Sky with 6.7 rebounds per game as a freshman. One of the quickest players on the squad, Hardaway also made her presence felt defensively last
season, finishing sixth in the conference in blocked shots. "Nichole can do whatever she wants if she puts her mind to it," Jenkins said. "She's a great athlete who is extremely versatile in that she runs the floor well, gets up high for rebounds, can face up and put the ball on the floor and post up."
The lone freshman on this year's squad, Tola Tallman begins her first year with the Hornets after four standout seasons al Mira Loma High School in Sacramento. The six-foot Sacramento native was a three-time all-Capital Valley Conference selection and was named conference MVP as a junior after averaging 16 points and nine rebounds a game. "Tola has played on the inside throughout her high school career and now we'll ask her to play on the outside," Jenkins said. "She's extremely athletic and is another player whom I expect to get underneath and grab some rebounds."
The Centers
Two centers dot the Sacramento State roster as junior April Ranney and sophomore Kelly Hodges round out the list. Hodges, who took a medical redshirt last season after undergoing knee surgery, averaged 3.2 points and 3.6 rebounds per game as a freshman during the 1998-99
season. During that same season, the Elk Grove, Calif., native finished second on the Hornets in offensive rebounds and third in total rebounds. "Kelly has good moves and can rebound well," Jenkins
said. "She can be a lot more aggressive offensively which I think will come with confidence."
Ranney enters her third year with the squad and will again provide depth at center this season. One of two Hornets from last year's team named to the Big Sky all-academic squad, Ranney averaged 6.1 minutes and 1.9 rebounds per game during the 1999-2000 campaign.
The Big Sky Conference
After being crowned Big Sky Conference champions and advancing to the NCAA Tournament last season, Montana is again the front-runner to take the title. The Grizzlies were a unanimous pick to finish first in the Big Sky coaches' poll. Idaho State was selected to finish second, followed by Cal State Northridge, Weber State, Northern Arizona, Portland State, Eastern Washington, Montana State and Sacramento State. The Hornets were selected to finish ninth in both the coaches and media poll.
The top six teams in the Big Sky advance to the conference tournament scheduled to take place March 8-10. Sacramento State will look to make the tournament for the first time since the 1996-97 team wrapped up the sixth and final seed in the program's inaugural year in the Big Sky. "There are a lot of new players in the conference this year, so it's hard to say how the conference will shape up," Jenkins said. "Right now, I'm just worried about us and not worried about our opponents. Our goals will not change as our opponent changes. If we're healthy, we'll be in contention for the Big Sky title."
***Information taken from the Sacramento State media guide.