With five new faces and a talented core of returners set to rejuvenate the program, third-year head coach Carolyn Jenkins is confident the team will make significant gains on last season.
Sacramento State (0-27, 0-14 in the Big Sky Conference), which has combined for 24 wins over the last six years, will go with a 40-minute transition style of play this season. Jenkins said that this year’s team is already better conditioned than it was at any time last season. That, combined with a new attitude and new level of
commitment, has the Hornets primed to turn things around this year.
“The biggest difference is the level of preparation the team has committed to each other,” Jenkins said. “The change of attitude with our returning players combined with the new players and their level of energy and work ethic is exciting to see. Everyone has definitely put in the time during the offseason.”
Also different from last year is the optimistic atmosphere of the returners. Jenkins said the group of returners are approaching the challenge of the season much differently than in years past. As a group, the team will focus more on the details
and working together as a cohesive unit.
“We need to be ready to compete and do the little things that will help us win and work together as a team,” Jenkins said. “The team is working well together; it’s not just 10 or 11 individuals.
“I think they understand the level of sacrifice and accountability that is required for a team to be successful.”
The 2002-03 roster will feature four players who appeared in uniform last season including one guard (junior Sydney Gatson), one forward (senior Crystal Conley), one power forward/center (junior Danielle Iceman), and one center (sophomore Kristine Knowlton). Forward Alyson Thurman, who started 21 games last season while
averaging 8.4 points and a team-leading 6.5 rebounds per game, will redshirt this year due to three herniated discs in her lower back.
“It’s unfortunate losing Alyson, but at the same time, with the depth of this year’s team, we hope it’s not a big blow,” Jenkins said. “I think this year,
more than at any time in the past couple of years, we’ll be better prepared to take on the loss of someone of Alyson’s caliber.”
Junior point guard Dolores Olivarez returns this season after redshirting last year with a knee injury she suffered in a preseason scrimmage. Also returning to the mix is junior forward/center Nichole Hardaway who was forced to sit out the past season and a half. Hardaway, who won’t be eligible this season until fall grades are
released in early January, averaged 5.7 points and 6.3 rebounds per game over two seasons with the Hornets (1999-00 and 2000-01).
However, it is the newcomers that Jenkins will rely heavily upon to provide a spark to this season’s team. The group consists of three freshmen (guard/forward Sarah Craig, guard Megan Moon and forward/center Katelyn Ciampi) and one junior college transfer (guard Diane Peterson). Each of the newcomers fills a role the coaching staff felt the team desperately needed coming off last season.
“The group (newcomers) brings the whole package - they are very talented, they fill positions we need, they possess great attitudes and they have experience coming from winning programs,” Jenkins said. “Diane and Sarah on the perimeter are both excellent shooters which we sorely need.
“Megan is not only a good shooter, but she is a very good ball handler and will help us cut down on the turnovers. Katelyn brings a rebounding resume and her mobility up and down the floor is excellent.”
One major key to the success of the upcoming season is the team’s health. The Hornets have been ravaged by injuries over the past two years (Sacramento
State players missed a combined 66 games due to injury or otherwise in 2000-01 and
71 games in 2001-02) and need to avoid the injury bug this season. With the loss of Thurman already this year, the team can ill-afford to suffer any more injuries.
The Guards
A total of six guards dot the Sacramento State roster, including two players who can also slide over to forward. Conley and Craig, who can each play forward if called upon, join Gatson, Moon, Peterson and Olivarez to fill out the position.
Gatson, who started 25 games at the point last season while averaging 8.5 points, 4.3 re-bounds and 2.5 assists per game, will be used more at shooting guard this season, according to Jenkins. Gatson has battled a lower back injury during her entire career, and this season will be no different. The Concord, Calif., native has not been able to practice with the team during the preseason because of the injury, but is still expecting to play this year. The same injury forced Gatson to redshirt during the 2000-01 season.
“Sydney’s status is up in the air because of her injury, but if she’s healthy, the plan is to let her be more in the scoring role as an off-guard,” Jenkins said. “It remains to be seen what will happen, but a healthy Sydney can defend any perimeter
player on the floor.”
The battle for the starting point guard position is between Olivarez and Moon. Olivarez rehabbed her injury during the offseason and is ready to go. The Sacramento, Calif., native played two years at Sacramento City College (1999-00
and 2000-01) and was an all-Bay Valley Conference selection.
“Dolores can help us push the ball up the floor, and in terms of physical strength, she is our strongest player,” Jenkins said. “She’ll be a physical, defensive point guard and is providing good competition between her and Megan (Moon) as to
who will start at the point.”
Moon, who is one of two incoming freshmen from Canada, led Kamloops Secondary High School of British Columbia to a third-place finish at the AA Provincial Championships last season. She was named the West Zone Championship MVP after averaging 15.3 points and 5.0 assists per game as a senior.
“Mentally, Megan has a great understanding of the game and takes a lot of pride in her defense,” Jenkins said. “With her size and quickness, she’ll be able to guard anyone on the perimeter.”
Peterson comes to Sacramento State from the College of Marin with the reputation as a deadly three-point shooter, something the Hornets greatly need (the team shot 20.4 percent from beyond the arc last season). The 5-8 native of San Rafael, Calif., led the Mariners to the junior college state championships and was a first team all-Bay Valley Conference selection after averaging four three-pointers per game and ranking second in the state with a 45.0 percent three-point shooting accuracy. Peterson broke the school record and tied the state record with nine three-pointers
in a game while knocking down eight treys on two other occasions last season.
“Diane will not only provide sorely needed outside shooting, but she also brings leadership to the team,” Jenkins said. “She’s one of our best conditioned athletes and is not afraid to get out there and lead by example.”
Craig, who will primarily play at shooting guard and small forward this season, is the best athlete and fastest player on the team according to coaches. The 5-11 native of Calgary, Alberta, was the conference player of the year last season
after leading Scarlett High School (Calgary) to a 27-3 record and a 4A provincial championship. Craig was also an 800-meter provincial champion and two-time provincial high jump champion in track.
“Sarah is extremely quick, very competitive and will work hard to raise her level of play as the season goes on,” Jenkins said. “She’ll set the tone for us, especially in fast break situations, with her ability to get up and down the floor.”
A 5-10 native of Santa Monica, Calif., Conley returns for her second season with the Hornets after appearing in 18 games in 2001-02. The only senior on this year’s team, Conley was a Big Sky All-Academic selection last season and can also play at the small forward position.
“This is Crystal’s senior year and she’ll add depth for our team on the perimeter,” Jenkins said. “She worked hard over the summer, and with improvements in her decision making, she could see a good amount of minutes on the floor.”
Walk-on freshmen Tess Thompson (Woodcreek High School in Sacramento)
and Kate Conarroe (Amador High School in Sutter Creek, Calif.) will also
add depth to the guard position.
The Forwards
Other than the aforementioned Conley and Craig, who can each play both the guard and
small forward positions, three other players can play both power forward and center (Ciampi, Hardaway and Iceman).
Ciampi comes to Sacramento State from Alhambra High School in Martinez, Calif., where she helped the Bulldogs to a 2001 North Coast Section basketball championship and a No. 2 ranking in Northern California. She was a two-time all-league selection while tallying 14 double-doubles and 53 blocked shots as a senior. Ciampi,
who is the probable starter for the Hornets at power forward, could also see time at center.
“I’m very excited about Katelyn because of her tremendous upside,” Jenkins said. “She is our best running post player, she has a great high post jumper, and is getting stronger every day.”
Hardaway returns to the Hornets after missing the past year and a half. The Berkeley, Calif., native played all 26 games (including 18 starts) as a freshman and 10 games (seven starts) as a sophomore.
“I couldn’t have asked for anything more out of Nichole, her attitude has been great and she’s working hard,” Jenkins said. “She is someone who can help us on the boards, and with her size and quickness, she’ll be able to help us on the inside.”
The Centers
Iceman is the probable starter at the center position. The Redding, Calif., native led the Hornets and was tied for 14th in the Big Sky Conference with 10.6 points per game. One of three Sacramento State players to appear in all 27 games (including 24 starts), Iceman also led the team in field goal percentage (.451), free throws (91) and free throws attempted (131).
“Danielle is extremely focused and has increased her conditioning and physical strength during the offseason,” Jenkins said. “She had a nice season last year and I think she’ll be even better in 2002-03, especially because our perimeter players will open up more looks for her on the inside.”
Knowlton returns for her sophomore season after starting 21 games at center last season. The Cornelius, Ore., native, who appeared in all 27 games during her freshman campaign, averaged 3.6 points, 6.1 rebounds and a Big Sky Conference-
best 2.1 blocked shots per game. In fact, Knowlton’s 57 blocked shots ranks third in the Sacramento State Div. I single-season record book and was the 25th-best mark in the nation. Knowlton was slowed during the offseason with mononucleosis and is still working her way back into playing shape.
“It’s unfortunate that Kristine was sick over the summer, but she has to understand the challenge of working her way back into the rotation,” Jenkins said. “She will help us with her defensive ability, her jump shot from the high post, and she’ll
get better as the season progresses.”
The Schedule
The 2002-03 schedule features eight non-conference home games for the Hornets. The team will play just five away from home, including the season-opener at the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort Classic on Nov. 24. At the tournament, Sacramento State will face UCLA and host Hawai’i.
The Hornets then open up their home schedule against Cal Poly on Dec. 2. The game against the Mustangs marks the first of a three-game homestand that also features San Diego and Nevada. Sacramento State then plays three of its next four games on the road including dates at Pacific, UC Riverside and Air Force.
On Jan. 2, the team opens up its longest homestand (six games) since the 1994-95 season. The Hornets play Saint Mary’s, Southern Utah, San Jose Christian, San Diego State, Portland State (the Big Sky Conference opener) and Eastern Washington in Hornet Gym from Jan. 2-18.
“The six-game homestand will allow us to get our chemistry going while getting ready for conference play,” Jenkins said. “The goal is to start well, pick up momentum through the preseason, and be ready to go once the conference season begins.”
In the Big Sky, Weber State enters the year as the defending regular season and conference tournament champions. Montana has finished at least third in the conference 19 of the last 20 years, and Montana State returns after tying
Weber State for the regular season conference crown. Northern Arizona, Eastern Washington, Idaho State and Portland State round out the conference.
“You can always count on Montana having a good team and we’ll see how Weber State does after the great season they had last year,” Jenkins said. “One of our goals is to make the Big Sky Tournament (the top six teams in the conference advance) and if we’re playing strong coming down the stretch, I think we’ll have a good shot
at making the tournament.”
**Information from the Sacramento State Media Guide.