New head coach Mike Petersen brings life and expectations into Lady Frogs for '96-'97.
New head coaches turning around teams have nearly become cliched in the '90s. It seems as if every year some program, somewhere, is being built into a winner. This year, don't be surprised if that program is TCU. Armed with a new attitude and an athletic department committed to winning, new head coach Mike Petersen has the Lady Frogs primed for a turnaround.
The first task Petersen completed when he arrived in March was to redesign the attitude and approach to the program.
"We can't let other people tell us how we are going to do. What happened last year doesn't matter. What does matter is what happens today," Petersen said.
He then added seven new players, including two foreigners. The next step was to implement his own game plan. A plan that relies on transition offense and high-pressure defense.
"It's a structured style of transition that's played at a high rate of speed. We run at every chance, take good shots and don't allow someone else to dictate what happens."
BACKCOURT
Junior Leah Garcia figures to play a prominent role as either the point guard or shooting guard. She averaged 13 points per game last season and has been an Ironman of sorts, starting all 53 games of her career "Garcia is a solid guard who can play the one or the two spot. Her same will be enhanced by our system," Petersen said.
Transfer Pam Hicks is also expected to see action playing the point. She averaged 10.2 points per game at Midland CC last season and led the team in assists (4.1).
Newcomer Emma Wilson, a native of Australia, arrives at TCU with a wealth of international playing experience. Unable to play for her secondary school -- it didn't have a basketball team -- she played the last two years for club teams in Australia.
"Emma is very quick and has deep three-point range. She also can play both guard spots," Petersen said.
Freshman Krista Watson will sit out the season after undergoing ACL surgery this past summer.
Shooting guard should see a mixture of Wilson, Garcia and senior Jackie Jenkins. Last season, Jenkins showed moments of offensive brilliance. She scored 29 points against Texas in the last game of the seasons and this season her offensive outbursts will be needed consistently.
Senior Kayla Courtade is the lone four-year player on the team. She will be counted on for point guard action and invaluable senior leadership.
FRONTCOURT
Senior Stacy Price has led the team in rebounding each of her first two seasons and has proved to be a valuable scorer around the basket. "Price can hit the medium-range jumper," Petersen said. "She's athletic and has all the tools to be successful, especially in our defensive system."
Newcomer Buffy Ferguson played last season at Tyler JC and earned all-region and all-conference honors. She averaged 12.8 points and 5.1 rebounds. "In my eight years as a head coach, Buffy is one of the most focused player I have ever been around,"Petersen said. "She just puts herself in a position to win all of the time."
Sophomore Jennifer Hickman led the Lady Frogs in scoring last season (14.3) and showed flashes of offensive dominance. She scored 18 points in only 13 minutes against Cal-Irvine last season. "She has the complete basketball package, and she understands the game. But she needs to work on her speed and quickness for defense," Petersen said.
Sophomore Ginger Usher and junior Rachel Holamon also expect to see time in the frontcourt.
CENTER
Senior forward Shawanda Mitchell-Harps returns after finishing third on the team in rebounding (5.3), primarily off the bench. "She is the type of player who will be playing her best basketball in the middle and the end of the season," said Petersen. "She just needs more time in our system to get adjusted."
Transfer Kristina Hayworth was a defensive stalwart last season at McLennan JC. She led the team in rebounding (8.6) and blocks (2.3) and her role this year will center around defense.
Anita Lelas, a native of Croatia, played last year at Oregon City High, the USA Today national champions. She averaged 11.3 points and 6.0 rebounds game despite playing only 17 minutes a game.
"Lelas is a little more offense-minded than Hayworth and they should complement each other well," Petersen said.
THE WAC
The coaching change isn't the only alteration from last season, TCU is now a member of the newly formed Western Athletic Conference. "The WAC is a strong women's basketball conference," Petersen said. "It has everything that you want in conference affiliation; competition, good media exposure and it has good sites for kids to travel to and see."
Despite changes and added expectations that go along with a coach who has won everywhere he has coached before, Petersen remains consistent in his approach at his third coaching stop.
"My approach is no one will be better prepared, no one will play harder than we are, and no one will be in better shape than we are. If we do those things, everything will take care of itself."