Argonaut Online Sports&Rec

TUES 18 NOV 2003

Women’s basketball once again looks to freshman for help

By Brennan Gause
Argonaut Staff

Picked to finish in the middle of the Big West Conference pack (fifth in the coaches poll, seventh in the media poll), the University of Idaho women’s basketball team could surprise other conference members with a combination of veteran leadership and offensive balance.

The Vandals bring six freshmen and a highly touted transfer to the already solid core of returning players. UI has a team that may start slow but has a chance to improve with every game as the new players start to feel comfortable in the UI system.

SARAH QUINT / ARGONAUT / Senior Courtney Goetz attempts to block senior Taylor Benson at practice Nov. 11 in the Physical Education Building.

“It takes kids a year, really, to truly learn our system without having to think all the time,” coach Mike Divilbiss said. “If you stay in this program you’re going to get better every year. We’re not going to teach plays; we’re going to teach them how to play.”

However, the Vandals have their work cut out for them as they return only four players from last year’s team, three of who were starters that combined for 51 percent of last year’s total offensive output.

Junior wing Heather Thoelke (12.3 points per game, 7.1 rebounds per game), sophomore wing Autumn Fielding (12.1 ppg, 3.1 assists per game) and senior forward Taylor Benson (7.9 ppg, 18 blocks) will all be asked to improve their game and provide leadership for the younger members of the team.

Thoelke, who was Second Team All-Big West after transferring to UI last year, is moving from point guard, where she played last year, to what Divilbiss calls her natural position: wing.

“For Heather, and the team, it’s a lot better because that’s what Heather is, a three,” Divilbiss said. “She filled in very, very admirably last year in a tough situation that was out of everyone’s control, and she sucked it up and did what her team needed her to do. … It enhanced her game and it made her better, and I think you’ll see the benefits of that this year.”

“That’s the position I’ve always played growing up.” Thoelke said. “And I’m still going to play some back-up point, but it’s going to feel good to be back on the wing.”

Fielding, who will miss the first four to six weeks of the season with an injury, will come back to a team that will look for her to step right back in where she left off last year. Fielding was named to the Big West All-Freshman team and received All-Big West honorable mention honors after a stellar first year in which she was the only UI player to play in all 28 games.

“It definitely hurts us missing Autumn,” Divilbiss said. “She was having a tremendous fall, playing really, really well, just picking right up from where she left off, even on a higher level than where she was last spring, and we’re really excited about her return.”

Benson will be another key ingredient for UI success. The lone returning starter from last year’s post position, Benson will see a lot of minutes and will be expected to provide some much-needed inside presence as the Vandals lack depth in the paint.

Divilbiss said he’s not worried about the shortage of post players, due to the quality of the three that he’ll be using in his rotation. However, he said they don’t have any room for error or injury.

One of the main reasons Divilbiss is confident with UI’s inside game is the addition of sophomore transfer Emily Faurholt. After sitting last season out, Faurholt is immediately making her presence felt on the team. Divilbiss said the team will definitely be looking for Faurholt, who was the Washington 4A Player Of the Year in 2000, to lead in a number of different ways.

Senior Courtney Goetz (2.5 ppg, 3.7 rbg) will be the third member of the post rotation, and the Vandals are hoping she can improve her offense and start establishing a low-post presence.

“Obviously we’re not very deep (in the inside),” Divilbiss said. “Courtney, Emily and Taylor will be the bulk of it. And the thing that’s nice about Emily and Taylor is that they’re completely interchangeable. They’re really athletic and both can play the four or the five, so they’re really hard to match up with.”

Depth won’t be a problem for the Vandal perimeter game, although inexperience might hinder them at times. During the recruiting season Divilbiss went out and found several guards in order to strengthen his perimeter. In fact, all six of his freshmen recruits play guard or wing.

The majority of these new players will not see much playing time when the season kicks off No. 21 against Portland State, but two of them, Leilani Mitchell and Ticey Westbrooks, will most likely be starting.

Mitchell may be considered the highlight of Divilbiss’ recruits. In her first exhibition game as a Vandal, Mitchell, who averaged 17.1 points per game in high school, tallied 20 points, six rebounds and four assists while committing only one turnover. Her presence on the court will be an asset for the team, which was missing a true point guard much of last season.

“She fits our system perfectly,” Divilbiss said. “She’s a big-time point guard. She makes everyone around her better, and the thing that makes Leilani the consummate point guard is the team comes first.”

Westbrooks will be the other freshman immediately contributing to the Vandals as she fills in for Fielding. Her quickness on the court will be a significant help to the UI defense as the combination of her and Mitchell could allow the Vandals to apply a lot of pressure to opposing teams.

Divilbiss is just excited to have the types of players he wants on his team.

“It’s just really a neat environment right now because there’s quality kids and people in the program,” Divilbiss said. “And I’ve always believed you win with good people.”

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