Lions still dangerous
The Vanguard University women’s basketball program lost four of its top six scorers and five strong seniors from the team that went 27-3, shared the Golden State Athletic Conference regular-season title and won the conference tournament.
But while a handful of expected contributors are undergoing treatment for various maladies and the Lions are picked to finish second in the GSAC behind returning NAIA runner-up Azusa Pacific, Coach Russ Davis’ squad, ranked No. 5 in the nation, is neither an underdog, nor under the radar.
Despite the exit of Bridgette Reyes, the NAIA Co-Player of the Year, third-team All-American Rachel Copeland and All-GSAC guard Diana Neves, Davis may have some pieces to insert to keep his well-oiled victory machine humming.
Davis, who has guided the team to nine straight NAIA Tournament appearances, seven GSAC titles in the last eight seasons, and four trips to the NAIA Final Four since 2003, including a national title in 2008, began his 15th season Saturday with a 60-43 over No. 10-ranked Westminster of Utah.
And with returning senior point guard Sarah Boyd and senior post Molly Pfohl providing a foundation fortified by some talented newcomers, Vanguard should retain its status as a perennial power.
Still, Davis is not without issues, primarily debilitating injuries to senior Paige Halberg (knee), projected starter Allison Burns (dislocated kneecap), and senior transfer Danielle Arriola (bulging disks in her neck). In addition, freshman Leigha Bednar, who began the fall semester at the Air Force Academy, will not be eligible until the seventh conference game on Jan. 11.
Boyd, who has started most of the last three seasons and had a team-best 14 points in the opener, is a trusted floor general who has shown an increasing knack for driving to the basket. And Davis said the 5-foot-4 leader is a better shooter this season.
The 6-0 Pfohl, an undersized post, may have some help down low with the arrival of 6-1 Aminata Biteye, a freshman from Senegal, Africa.
And Davis is already raving about the athleticism of Angelica Sahagun, a freshman from Alemany High who scored 13 points in the opener.
“She is going to be a great player here,” Davis said of Sahagun, who, he says, reminds him of former NAIA Player of the Year Jessica Richter. “She’s so explosive, people are going to be high-fiving in the stands over some of the things she’s going to do.”
Davis said Biteye, who had six points, eight rebounds and three blocked shots in 20 minutes off the bench Saturday, is a diamond in the rough, whose long arms and agility give her game-changing capability.
“She’s a super athlete who is fast and really strong,” Davis said of Biteye.
Ariel Castillo, a 5-8 junior transfer from Foothill Community College, is a solid role player who could help add to the traditional three-point barrage Davis likes to employ.
Chelsea Alfafara, a 5-5 sophomore transfer from Orange Coast College, is another three-point threat, while freshman Taylor Spikes, who set a state record with 16 three-pointers in one game last season at Hanford High, should also stretch zone defenses, once she recovers from hamstring troubles.
Davis said Burns is expected back by December, though the return of Halberg, a starter on the 2008 championship team, is less predictable. She could play as early as January, but could also use a redshirt year, Davis said.
The schedule includes the Rotary Classic in Tennessee, which will feature games against No. 1-ranked, two-time defending national champion Union and No. 9-ranked Freed-Hardeman.
The conference opener is Nov. 30 against Concordia.