April 23, 2010
The 2009-10 Navy women's basketball season was a memorable one for its players and coaches. Among the many highlights:
• Won 17 games on the season, the most since winning an identical number of games during the 1998-99 campaign;
• Won eight league games for the second year in a row;
• Earned its highest seed for the Patriot League Tournament -- #3 - in 11 years;
• Won a Patriot League Tournament game in consecutive seasons for the first time since winning at least one game in five-straight years from 1995-99;
• Swept the regular season series from Army for the first time in seven years and won for the Star Game for the first time since 2003;
• Posted its first regular season sweep of Bucknell since 1998 and its first sweep of Holy Cross in school history;
• Ranked 15th nationally with nearly eight three-point field goals made a game;
• Had the 29th-best scoring defense in the country;
• Junior Angela Myers not only garnered First-Team All-Patriot League honors, she also became the first player in league history to repeat as the defensive player of the year in the conference;
• Senior Kristin Bowen led the Patriot League and ranked 26th nationally in three-point field goal percentage (41.1%) and led the conference in three-point field goals made a game (2.00);
• Junior Cassie Consedine took sole possession of the Navy career blocked shots record (167) and became the 14th player in Navy history to tally the 1,000th point of her career.
Navy's 2010-11 squad will include four returning starters and seven of the team's 2009-10 letterwinners.
Navy head coach Stefanie Pemper recently took a look back at the team's 2009-10 campaign and gave an initial glimpse at the 2010-11 season.
Highlight of the year:
"It was another strong year with some great wins, good skill development, and hilarious times together. I think what our staff was most pleased with was the leadership growth of the women on the team. K.C. Gordon, Kristin Bowen and Angela Myers, to name just three, became more confident and really stepped up when the team needed them. Cassie Consedine became a more consistent leader through the example she set in practice. Beth Reed and Erin Edwards also had a bigger presence on the team, earning them a different level of respect on the court, and playing critical minutes in big games."
On the season:
"It was an amazing start to the year, not only open season with a 4-0 record and win the Elon Tournament on the first weekend, but to win in such dramatic fashion was fun. There was an overtime win, a win after being down 23 in the first half, a win against an Ohio team that beat us at home last year, and a win in our home opener against Loyola (Md.) in which we were 11-of-24 from three-point range.
"We did not play well in a win at Delaware State and a loss at UMBC, and in the middle of December we had a stretch of five games where we ran into some challenges that, in my experience, affect a young team more than a veteran team. We played to about 65% of our ability and went 2-3 heading into our two most challenging games of the year, on the road at Dayton and Harvard.
"In that great moment of difficulty things turned for the better. There was the big win over Bucknell to start league play, K.C. and Kristin emerged as two of the best shooters in the Patriot League, Megan Matheny, Chey Arvin, and Erin logged key minutes in the backcourt, and Angela developed critical point guard skills that would make the difference in most of our wins over the remainder of the year."
On the 2009-10 Patriot League:
"Lehigh and American had terrific seasons, and we were able emerge from the rest of the pack to be the only other team in the League with a winning record on the year. We led the League in field goal percentage, three-point field goal percentage, and we set the League record for three-point field goals made in a season (with 238). People ask why we like to shoot the 3 and I respond, `We're open and we gotta play to our strengths.'
"Being picked to finish fourth in the League at the start of the year and eventually finishing in sole possession of third place was an accomplishment. That said, we felt we left a couple games on the table and were really disappointed in our result in the Patriot League semifinals against American. Going 4-for-26 from three-point range less than 24 hours after going 15-for-33 was an anomaly."
On the rivalry with Army:
"There has not been a nicer moment in the two years I have been here then when we beat Army at home this year and walked from their end of the court--after the playing of their Alma Mater--to our end of the court. The cheers of 4,000 fans and seeing our players sing the Blue & Gold in victory was something I will never forget. I will also never forget that when we were down 15 in the first half it was Beth's second three-point field goal of her career that started the rally that would eventually win the game."
On having eight freshmen on the team:
"I will pay a fine if it happens again. Having eight freshmen on a basketball team is a tremendous challenge, especially at a service academy. Freshmen can feel as if everywhere they turn they are doing something wrong and it can be hard to maintain confidence. That said, we really needed Chey and Megan to handle their academic affairs well and play with the maturity and poise of upperclass players, and they did."
On spring workouts:
"Our staff has enjoyed our time in the gym. Since we only have three upperclass players returning, spring workouts have been a great opportunity for the freshmen to improve. It's a stress-free environment where women show how internally motivated they are, and where strong leadership shows. We are working a lot on ball handling and scoring."
On the returners:
"It was inspiring to see Angela's development this year. Her talent, confidence, and competitiveness created so much of what we did on both ends of the court, especially the offensive end. She led the League in assists and assist-turnover ratio, and amazingly she was in the Top 10 in 10 of the 13 statistical categories the League tracks. Angela has trusted our staff and she is willing to be coached. We believe in her, so we challenge her. I have seen so many times where special things happen to special people; Angela is another example and we are all lucky to have her in our lives."
On the incoming freshman:
"I like the class a lot. We recruited some talented players and some young women with good character and values. Our staff is really excited to welcome them to the program."
On the coaching staff:
"The Navy women's basketball program has never won the Patriot League and our goal is not only to win that first championship but to be in contention every season. We feel we have been the past two years but we can be so much better. And in order to make history we need to be.
"It has been so important for our staff to be on the same page in terms of approaching the challenges we face. Where there have been no championships there is not a championship culture. I know very well what that culture looks like and nearly every day our staff asks those around us to change and it's happening. I am grateful for the commitment our staff makes and thankful we have as much fun as we do along the way."
On reaching team goals:
"We're getting there. The X's and O's have come fairly quickly; it's the mentality, the selflessness, and the accountability that is still developing. It's never been just about basketball for me, as a player or a coach. It's about developing the whole person in the context of developing the team. It's about camaraderie and caring for those around you. When it's done right it's a significant life experience for everyone that is extremely special. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
"Angela will do wonders for our program in a leadership role and Erin will be an exceptional junior leader. Both women have shown, through thick and thin, that they will always give their best to the team. They have the total respect of everyone in the program."
On the Naval Academy community:
"We say goodbye this spring to our officer rep, Capt. Chris Bushnell. Chris has been a picture of commitment to the development of the women on the team and to our team values and goals. Personally he has been a great friend and will be dearly missed. We welcomed a junior officer rep this year in Navy basketball alum Lt. Adrienne Roseti `04. Adrienne is a company officer and professor and is a fantastic addition to our staff.
"We are fortunate to retain the services of Jane Good, our faculty rep for 14 years. Jane has helped many players get the courses they need, the professors they want, and in general stay on track to graduate. She is a legend amongst the alums and we are grateful for her dedication."
