University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Women's Basketball 2015-16 Season Preview
11.06.2015 | Women's Basketball
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – The UNC Asheville women's basketball team opens its 40th season of play when the 2015-16 season get underway Nov. 13 on the road at East Tennessee State. Head coach Brenda Mock Kirkpatrick enters her fourth season at the helm of the Bulldogs and returns nine players from a team that finished 9-22 (7-13 Big South) a season ago.
The Bulldogs will look to break through this season as they were right on the cusp of doing so during the 2014-15 season. Ten of Asheville's losses came by a single-digit margin including six coming by just three points or less last season.
“We are really enjoying working with this team. They are not only talented basketball players but remarkable people and they inspire, motivate and entertain me every day,” Mock said. “Rebuilding this program has been a process and I think at times as the head coach, I have failed to focus on that process and have put too much emphasis on success in terms of wins and losses. We are much more focused this season on the day-to-day, having a growth mindset and evaluating how we are as a team and individuals versus how we were the day before.”
In addition to nine players returning, Asheville also brings back the majority of its production as .608 percent of its scoring, .591 percent of its rebounding, .518 percent of its assists and .561 percent of its minutes played from a season ago are on the 2015-16 roster. Junior Tianna Knuckles returns as the team's leading point producer after averaging 8.6 points per game last year.
“We have a group of nine returners from a team that was playing very good basketball at the end of last season,” Mock said. “We hope to learn from and apply lessons from losing nine games under five points in the 2014-15 campaign and be able to thrive in close game situations. Our style of play has not changed from the last two years. We want to attack the basket, create rotation and score easy buckets. We shot the ball well last year from the 3 point line because we had great shot selection and the right people taking those shots. That will not change. Our players have great awareness of what their role is and playing to their strengths offensively, we just need to convert our easy opportunities in addition to converting our second chance opportunities. We established ourselves as a very good rebounding team last season but we did not take advantage of some of the opportunities especially on the offensive glass.”
Asheville displayed a tendency to dominate the backboards a season ago, ranking second in offensive rebounds per game (15.75), third in rebounding margin (+2.9) and defensive rebounding percentage (.671), and fourth in offensive rebounding percentage (.387) in conference games. The Bulldogs will also look to improve upon its defense, ranking fifth in scoring defense (60.3) and seventh in opponents' field goal percentage (.392) in conference games.
“We are more focused this year than we have ever been on the defensive side of the ball in both the half and in the full court,” Mock said. “I am pleased with the presence and intensity that the team has committed to bring to practice every day. Playing great defense will take some of the pressure off of our outside shooting.”
Five freshmen enter the fold for Coach Mock this season and each one of them has the opportunity to compete for significant minutes.
“Our freshmen are improving every day in the system and are going to add quality depth,” Mock said. “Having five freshmen also presents a great opportunity for our returners to be great teammates and helpers in their process. I love watching teammates take care of teammates. That's what life is all about and what better place to learn that than within a college basketball team.”
BACKCOURT
The Bulldogs will be led in the backcourt by three-time letter winner and senior guard Paige Love. Despite battling two broken bones (pinky, nose) last season, the North Wilkesboro, N.C., native, fought through adversity to start 22 games and contribute 4.7 points and 3.5 rebounds per contest. A positive ambassador for the women's basketball program and the university as a whole, Love is known for her ability to attack the basket but has also worked to improve her outside range.
“Paige is the epitome of hard work leading to success,” Mock said. “She's totally bought into our system and truly shares the vision of winning a championship in the Big South. Paige was in and out of the lineup last season due to various injuries ranging from broken hand to a broken nose. She learned a tremendous amount about herself and the role of adversity and setback in individual growth. Paige has worked hard to become an even more physical player and threat from the perimeter in the offseason. I am very excited to coach her this season and watch her enjoy this last go round as a Bulldog.”
Junior Tianna Knuckles begins this season as the Bulldogs' top returning scorer after averaging 8.6 points per game a season ago and will be relied upon to contribute on both the offensive and defensive ends of the floor. Knuckles proved her guard versatility, knocking down 36 triples while also snagging 3.2 boards per game and converting .754 percent of her free throws last season. It's her improvement on the intangibles of the game, however, that has Coach Mock excited.
“I couldn't be prouder of Tianna and how hard she has worked on the mental and emotional approach to her game,” Mock said. “There's no question that she is a unique talent with her ability to shoot, rebound, defend and attack the basket at a very high success rate. Tianna's game has lacked toughness and consistency in the past and this year she is determined that both of those attributes will fall in the positive category for her individual game. She is playing great basketball for us in the preseason and is a much more reliable contributor and teammate for us.”
Coach Mock has been pleased with the strides junior Ja'Da Brayboy has made this offseason, noting she “could quite possibly be our most improved player this season.” Brayboy appeared in all 31 games last season and will be looked to this year as the Bulldogs' primary ballhandler and point guard. The junior already owns a great basketball IQ and has improved her defense and outside shooting heading into the 2015-16 season.
“Ja'Da and I are on the same page regarding what the team and the coaching staff need from her as a floor general on and off the court,” Mock said. “Ja'Da has also worked on converting in transition, being a consistent outside threat and defending for us in both the full and half court. We are counting on her to be our go-to point guard this season and lead us with composure and presence on the court.”
Junior Chatori Major improved her scoring output by nearly four points from her freshman to sophomore seasons and will be expected to continue that development now as an upperclassman in the backcourt. The fastest player on the team, Major can create opportunities in transition as well as in the half court. Major reached double-digit scoring in eight games last season while averaging 5.5 points per game.
“Chatori could be one of our most capable all-around players on offense and defense,” Mock said. “She is learning out to put herself in uncomfortable positions and really toughen up on the court so she can produce under any circumstances. I am especially pleased with her growth as an outside shooter. There is more freedom and fluidity to her game now and she is understanding and owning her role as a legitimate threat on both ends. She is the fastest player on the team and we are looking for her to utilize her speed and athleticism to our advantage.”
Sophomore Khaila Webb provided a spark off the bench for the Bulldogs last season, despite having to miss all of the preseason and the first six games due to injury. A strong, hardworking player, Webb has invested herself into the program and is ready to make an impact on the floor.
“Khaila is an explosive dynamic guard who really came into her own at the end of last season,” Mock said. “She endured a few setbacks due to injuries in her freshman campaign missing the first six games as well as the entire pre-season. In the second half of our season she became a key player off the bench and found a way to impact the game on both ends of the court. She is a fierce competitor and has matured mentally and physically.”
One of three freshmen expected to compete in the backcourt is Ali Trani. Trani comes to Asheville by way of Cosby HS (Moseley, Va.), where she was the point guard on a top 10 nationally ranked team. She brings a winning background with her as she helped lead her high school squad to back-to-back Virginia 6A State Championships in 2014 and 2015.
“Ali is the epitome of a find-a-way blue collar type of player,” Mock said. “She won two state championships at Cosby High School in Virginia and is a proven floor leader. Ali's intangibles are what enables her to compete at this level and we are counting on her to develop her outside shooting and consistently challenge our upperclassmen on both ends of the floor to contribute this season.”
Freshman Sonora Dengokl will bring a little bit of everything to the perimeter for the Bulldogs. In addition to her guard play, Dengokl's strength and ability to rebound the basketball will add quality depth to the four position. Dengokl attended Lakewood HS (Sumter, S.C.) where she was an All-State team selection in 2014 and helped lead her team to a 3A State Runner-up finish her senior season.
“Sonora is a do-it-all perimeter player and quite frankly one of the strongest freshmen I have ever coached,” Mock said. “She attacks the rim powerfully, finishing through contact and should also be a monster on the glass for us if she does her job. Sonora's high school was the AAA state runner-up team in South Carolina in her senior season so she is also accustomed to finding a way to win. She will add depth to our guard core in addition to playing the 4 for us as well.”
Freshman Jessica Wall will bring an immediate contribution of passing ability paired with outstanding knowledge of the game. Wall has also shown the capability of knocking down shots from behind the arc. From Chapel Hill HS (Chapel Hill, N.C.), Wall helped her team to three straight appearances in the state championship finals, including winning the North Carolina 3A State Championship in 2014.
“We recruited Jessica because she is one of the best passing guards that we had on our depth chart in the 2015 recruiting class and in addition to that, she brings an extremely high basketball IQ to the team,” Mock said. “We were last in the league in assists last year; part of that is making more shots but the other component is delivering the ball on time and on target. We were also looking to replace some outside shooting and Jessica will be relied upon as a consistent outside threat. Jess helped her team win a state championship at Chapel Hill High School and brings the type of winning mentality to our program that we are seeking.”
FRONTCOURT
Tyler Smith returns as the lone senior on the front line. Her role off the court may be her most important attribute due to her positivity, unselfishness and the amount of investment she takes toward the team and the program. On the court, Smith moves extremely well down low and possesses a unique offensive arsenal that will look to be employed throughout the season.
“Tyler has remained one of our most authentic and positive role players on the team during her three years here,” Mock said. “Because of that, her value to this team is immeasurable. If her conditioning continues to improve we will be able to utilize her unique offensive skill set and experienced perspective on the court. She is a legitimate outside threat and can maneuver in the paint very well for her size. Tyler has battled through some ups and downs during her three years here. She leads with passion and heart. I never doubt that Tyler has my back and I will always have hers.”
Junior KJ Weaver will look to provide an anchor in the paint, as she has done for each of her first two seasons as a Bulldog. Her freshman campaign saw her led the team in blocked shots (44) while posting the third highest block total in school history for a freshman. During Weaver's sophomore season she led the team in rebounding in 16 games while grabbing a team-high 6.3 boards per game.
“KJ is a special talent at the center position for us,” Mock said. “She is one of our most invested players and you can feel her passion for the game every day on the court. She has worked hard to become one of our most reliable go-to players on the block and of course will be counted on to defend effectively without fouling and alter shots in the paint on defense.”
Junior Tiffany Wilson will provide a presence down low for the Bulldogs. One of the stronger players on the team, Wilson is fundamentally sound and can create chances to score in the paint. She averaged 3.9 points and 3.8 rebounds per game last season and is an option to play either post position effectively.
“Tiffany had a solid debut last season and has put in work over the summer to become a more effective soft spot shooter to add to her power game in the post,” Mock said. “She also worked on securing possession of the ball and finishing because with her speed and power at the post position she will give us a lot of opportunities for scoring around the basket. Due to her versatility, we will be counting on Tiffany to play both post positions for us this season.”
Bronaza (Bree) Fitzgerald returns to the front court as a sophomore after making an immediate contribution as a freshman. Fitzgerald led the team in field goal percentage (.593) while averaging 5.7 points and 4.1 rebounds per game before an injury cut her season short. Fitzgerald possesses great leaping ability, which translates well when she crashes the boards.
“Bree is one of the most gifted athletes and rebounders that I have ever coached,” Mock said. “Her tremendous athletic ability coupled with determination and an awareness of her role on the court paid dividends in the rebounding column for us last season. She also garnered the highest field goal percentage on the team and was having a productive freshmen season prior to her knee injury. She has worked hard in the off season to rehab and prepare for another solid year at the post position for us.”
Kelli Fisher is one of two freshmen in the front court for Asheville. Attending East Rowan HS (Salisbury, N.C.), Fisher's prep highlights include being named a four-time South Piedmont All-Conference selection and participating in the North Carolina East-West All-Star game.
“Kelli Fisher is the type of center that we have been trying to recruit since we inherited the program three years ago,” Mock said. “She has excellent hands and feet and will take up space in the paint for us. She is a tremendous rebounder and screener already and will continue to add to her offensive and defensive arsenal as she gets in better shape and develops her game.”
Freshman Alexis Toney will bring her incredible amount of athleticism to the Bulldogs as she competes for time playing the four position. From Beddingfield HS (Wilson, N.C.), Toney was a two-time CPIC All-Conference Team selection and a two-time Eastern Plains All-Conference Team selection.
“Alexis Toney is a diamond in the rough and we recruited her because we saw an unbelievable athletic ability and untapped talent in her game. She will play the 4 for us this year and we are counting on her to bring rebounding and added depth at the post position. As she continues to get comfortable on the court and learn our system I have no doubt she will become one of the more exciting players to watch on the roster.”
