Nov. 4, 2008
Arlington, Texas - UTA opens up the 2008-09 campaign with their first of two exhibition games of the season against the Houston Jaguars tonight at Texas Hall at 6 p.m.
Below is a preview of the 2008-09 UT Arlington women's basketball team.
Forty full minutes of consistent basketball is what second year head coach Samantha Morrow expects from her squad this season. A squad that finished the 2007-08 campaign with a 19-10 overall record and a 13-3 mark in league play.
The Mavericks enter the new season ranked fourth in the West Division, behind No.1 UTSA, according to the Southland Conference Preseason Polls. The Roadrunners knocked out UTA last season in the second round of the SLC Tournament, 77-67.
One of the biggest keys to a successful season will be to fill the void of senior duo Maryann Abanobi and Tiffeny Riles. Abanobi, who was the Mavericks leading scorer, finished with 1,048 career points and was an All-Southland Conference Second Team selection. Riles was one of the top defensive players, averaging 7.6 rebounds per game, and collected All-Southland Conference Second Team honors.
"This season every player must pitch in more and not just one player but, all of them," said Morrow." We need to create more offensive opportunities with our defense and be more consistent."
The Mavericks will rely heavily on seniors Candice Champion and Erin Dixon's leadership to guide this year's team back to the SLC Tournament and a trip to the NCAA Tournament.
The Seniors
Two seniors will be the leaders of the UTA pack and the determining factor in the team's success this season. Champion returns as a full-forced threat on both sides of court, after appearing in 29 contests and averaging 10.5 points and 6.2 rebounds per game last year.
Champion led the Mavericks in field goal percentage (.534), and free throw attempts (99). She recorded a career-high 26 points on 10-of-12 shooting, including 6-of-8 from the charity stripe, to go along with six rebounds, five assists at home against Sam Houston State (Jan. 31).
Dixon will be a big part of the Mavericks' defense, as she will look to fill the absence of Riles in the low post. Dixon appeared in 28 contests while earning a spot in the starting rotation on 23 occasions. The 5-11 forward finished second on the team in rebounds with 6.5 per game and recorded her first double-double of her career with a 10-point, 11 rebound performance against Montana State (Nov. 17).
"Their leadership may be the most important factor," said Morrow. "I've seen them step up in practice, and they will have to continue that all year."
The Juniors
The main duo are joined by guards Kiarra Shofner, LaTosha Duffey, Meghan Nelson and center Kristina Grace which make-up the junior class.
Nelson returns after appearing in all 29 contests while Shofner saw action in 28 games and dished out the second most assists on the squad with 71.
Shofner will split time with sophomore Simmons at the point while Nelson will be thrown into the mix along with the other guards including Duffey. The guards are expected to maintain the tempo on the court as the Mavericks will rely heavily on their speed, due to the lack of height in the post.
Grace, a 6-3 center is one of four Mavericks over six feet and will be one player that will be depended on to be a defensive force for UTA. Grace saw action in 20 contests this past season and finished second on the squad in blocks with 13.
The Sophomores
Two standout performers from last season return on a mission to outdo their rookie campaign and guide their team to a conference title. Tamara Simmons and Shalyn Martin quickly found themselves in the starting rotation and combined for 511 points, 155 assists and 227 rebounds in their first season.
Simmons, an Arlington, Texas, native led the Mavericks in assists (102), and ranked second in steals (29), and three-point shooting percentage (.357). Simmons recorded a career-high 23 points on 8-of-11 shooting against Elon Phoenix (Dec. 20) and finished the season averaging 8.5 points per game.
"I expect Tamara and Shalyn to be even better this season. To attack, play better defense and make no mistakes," said Morrow.
Like Simmons, Martin stepped onto the court with ease finishing the season averaging 9.1 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game and ranked first on the squad in steals (31) and free throws made (66). The 5-11 forward recorded her first career double-double on the road against Texas State (Mar. 8) with a 19-point, 10 rebound performance.
The Newcomers
The Mavericks welcome three new faces into the lineup in local products Ryan Green, Nicole Terral and Duncanville, Texas native Veronica Mergerson.
Green comes to UTA from Crowley High School where she was a four-time First Team All-District selection, a member of the TAMC All-State Team and cited as a McDonald's nominee.
Joining the trio from Mansfield Timberview High School is Terral, who was a TABC (Texas Association of Basketball Coaches) All-Star Team selection, a four-time all-district recipient and was part of a program that advanced to the quarterfinals twice.
Mergerson completes the rookie trio and will add depth to the forwards. The 6-0 newcomer earned All-Region honors, a First Team All-District recipient and a TGCA All-Star Team selection.
"They all come from winning programs, so they expect to win! Nicole is a great floor leader and dishes the ball well. Ryan can score and defend down low and Veronica is an excellent passer who makes others around her better," added Morrow.
The Schedule
One of the most important parts in any coach's season is their schedule and for the Mavericks their schedule will be one of the most challenging they will have to prepare for.
UTA opens the 2008-09 campaign with two exhibition games at home, 13 non-conference games, two tournaments including the 2008 Bahamas Sunsplash Shootout in Nassau, Bahamas and 10 home games at Texas Hall.
The Mavs open the regular season with three straight games on the road against Conference-USA-foe SMU along with TCU, and Big 12-opponent Texas Tech. TCU is coming off a 23-12 overall record and a WNIT quarterfinal appearance. UTA will take a short break from the road as they host Midwestern State in their home opener Nov. 26.
Following their home opener, UTA will head back to the road for four matches against Morehead State, Marshall, Rice and Kansas State. The Mavericks will play in their first of two tournaments, flying to Nassau, Bahamas for the Sunsplash Shootout where they will match-up against Memphis in game one and Winthrop or Georgia Tech in the final day of the tournament.
After a short Christmas break, the Mavericks will travel to Tulsa, Okla., for the Holiday Inn Select Holiday Classic where they will face-off against host Tulsa and Texas Southern.
UTA closes out non-conference play with a first-time meeting at home with Houston Baptist on Jan. 3.
The Mavs open conference action at home versus Texas State on Jan. 10 and end the regular season on the road at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Mar. 7.
