Nov. 4, 2008

The Wayne State University women's basketball team will begin its 2008-09 season this Thursday with an exhibition contest at the University of Detroit Mercy.

Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m. at Calihan Hall.

2008-09 OUTLOOK

The Warriors hope to improve on a strong finish last season and an appearance in the GLIAC semifinals for the first time since 2003.

Head coach Gloria Bradley enters her ninth year at the helm of the Warrior basketball program with six returning letterwinners from last year's squad which won eight of nine contests from mid-January through mid-February then upset top-seeded Hillsdale on its home court in the first round of the GLIAC tournament.

WSU returns its top four scorers from last year along with three of its top four rebounders from 2007-08.

WSU will be led offensively by a trio of seniors in Chastidy Miller (White Lake, Mich./Waterford Kettering), Jasmine McCall (Detroit, Mich./CMA) and Joy Nash (Muskegon, Mich.).

Miller has scored 932 points in her first three years with the Green and Gold. Last year, she was second on the squad in both scoring (13.0) and rebounding (4.7).

"Chastidy is the toughest and most physical player on the team. Chaz is a multidimensional player that gladly assumed any role required last year. I am looking for Chaz to present senior leadership. When focused, she can be unstoppable."

McCall earned First Team All-GLIAC South Division accolades in her first season at WSU. She led the conference in steals (101) and finished in the top 12 in the league in both scoring (14.4) and assists (3.44) per game.

"Although Jasmine led the team in scoring, she was also a defensive spark for the team. Jazz plays with passion and pushes her teammates to up the pressure. She will also be expected to be a leader this season."

Nash has started all 67 games she has dressed and has scored in double figures 31 times. In addition to being named to the GLIAC South Division All-Defensive Team for the second consecutive season, she was among the conference leaders in assists (3.93 per game), three-point field goal percentage (34.6), minutes played (32.67 per game) and assist-turnover ratio (1.56).

"Joy is our floor general. She takes care of the ball. Although Joy looks to pass first, she is a good scorer."

The Warrior backcourt is further strengthened by junior Brooke Bowers (Delphos, Ohio/Jefferson). She finished 10th in the GLIAC in three-pointers made per game (1.59) and 15th in steals (1.78 per game). Last year she made a school-record nine three-point shots in a January 26 win over Mercyhurst finishing with a career-high 35 points on 12-of-26 shooting (9-of-19 from beyond the arc).

"Known as a shooter, Brooke upped her defense last year. Teams keyed on her shot last season. She has worked hard to develop other aspects of her game."

Sophomore Chelsea Kouri (Clarkston, Mich.) played in 24 of 27 contests as a rookie scoring 66 points.

"Chelsea is one of the hardest workers on the team. She takes her development seriously. I look for her to settle into her game this season."

Felicia Thomas will add depth to the backcourt.

Thomas is the niece of former Tartar Dawn Thomas. Felicia was voted the 2007-08 Southwest Michigan Athletic Conference Player of the Year after averaging 17 points, seven rebounds, four assists and four steals per game for Kalamazoo Central High School.

"With her size, Felicia will have an instant impact on the backcourt. She has a great sense of pace and composure seldom seen in such a young player."

Both forwards from last season (Nicole Rogers and Monique George) have graduated paving the way for a newcomer to make an impact.

Syracuse transfer Brittany Smith (Milwaukee, Wis./Riverside) was able to practice with the team after her arrival in January. She started 13 games as a true freshman for the Orange in 2005-06 before a couple of injuries limited her playing time.

"Brittany will present a physical presence in the paint. She has strong but soft hands in the post with an instinct for rebounding."

Freshman Karlisa Love (Detroit, Mich./Crockett) earned Detroit Free Press Honorable Mention All-Detroit honors as a senior after averaging 11.5 points, 8.9 rebounds, two blocks and 1.8 steals per game. She was also an MHSAA Scholar-Athlete.

"Karlisa adds quickness and rebounding to the front court. She plays well in the open court and will add depth at the guard/forward position."

Junior Lindsey West (Royal Oak, Mich./Kimball) returns at center after starting 15 times a year ago. She led WSU in field goal percentage, offensive rebounds (61) and blocked shots, while finishing fifth in the GLIAC in blocked shots per game (1.15) and 10th in offensive rebounds (2.35 per game) last season.

"Lindsey came on strong at the end of last season. She has gotten stronger and has a better feel for the league. I look for her to step up and be more aggressive in the paint."

Freshman Quintell Foster (Detroit, Mich./Community High School) helped the Hurricanes to a 25-1 record and the 2008 Class B state championship game.

"Quintell has good moves in the post. As she becomes comfortable with the college pace, she will add depth to the front court."

With the change in GLIAC scheduling from 17 to 22 games (double round-robin), the Warriors have five non-league contests starting with a November 20 game at Northern Kentucky. The Norse welcome back three starters from its NCAA Division II national championship team that compiled a 28-8 mark last season.

A trip to Madonna precedes a road game at Edinboro in November. After five league games, WSU concludes 2008 with an in-region game at Southern Indiana on December 29 before hosting Edinboro on December 31. All 17 games in 2009 will be GLIAC league contests.