10/17/2001 - Women's Basketball
Women's Basketball Update
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Head coach Joe Sanchez was pleased with how the first three days of practice went for the Navy women's basketball team. He was so pleased, in fact, he gave the team Tuesday off from practice.
"The day off will be good for us," said Sanchez Tuesday at Navy's preseason media day. "We had worked the team hard over the first few practices.
"Practice has been going well. Our emphasis the first few days has been on fundamentals. We would like to reach a point in the latter part of this week where we can start solidifying positions, with the hope of producing a depth chart sometime around Nov. 1."
Sanchez noted strong performances over the first few days from several of his returning players, as well as one newcomer.
"It's early to tell right now, but we have seen strong performances from returnees Courtney Davidson (So., New Oxford, Pa.), Adrienne Roseti (So., Williamsville, N.Y.), Maile Shimoda (So., Orange, Calif.), and especially Lisa Steinmetz (Jr., Mount Vernon, Ohio). We also are looking at Abi Campbell (Fr., Richmond, Va.) to come in and help us right away because she can play several different positions."
One of the goals for the coaches during the preseason is to improve Navy's inside game.
"We are looking for a bit more stability this year from our post players. I think inconsistent is the best way to describe our inside game last season. The good part about the play of our post players last season is they had a lot of opportunities to score. This year, we want them to convert those opportunities at a higher rate."
While Sanchez is looking to increase Navy's inside scoring, he is not forgetting about scoring from the perimeter.
"I think we are much quicker than we have been in the past. We plan on using a lot of pressure defense this year because of our quickness and our depth. With the personnel we have, the three-point shot is still a key part of our game."
Sanchez sees the competition for the Patriot League championship as being wide open, with his Midshipmen being right in the mix of things.
"I look at the league race and I think we will be in it. I am so glad people are underestimating us (Navy was picked to place sixth in the league's preseason poll). To be honest, I would have voted us the same way. We had a very young team last year, and now we need to start proving ourselves to people."
Navy will play a pair of exhibition games Nov. 4 and 11 at Alumni Hall, then will open its season with six of its first seven games on the road. Navy's home opener will be Nov. 21 against Appalachian State.
