By Nathaniel Lowery
Staff Writer
Heading into his third year as head coach of the CSUDH women’s basketball team, John Bonner sees no reason why the team can’t pick up where it left off last year and surpass all expectations.
“I like to set attainable goals for the team to exceed,” Bonner said. Last year, the team finished 13-15 and made the first round of the conference playoffs, losing to Cal Poly Pomona.
With five returning seniors, Bonner believes the experience will be one of the team’s strong points. Senior guard Nautica Morrow, who led the team in scoring with 18 points per game, along with leading in steals and assists, is expected to have another big year after making first-team all-CCAA.
Also shouldering some of the offensive load are returning seniors Heaven Holmes and Zhane Carter, both of whom averaged double digits in scoring last season.
Defense could be a problem though, as the team finished 11th in the conference in defensive rebounding and lost a key player.
“Losing Taylor Ferris is going to be difficult she was a matchup nightmare last year,” said Bonner. Ferris is the single-season holder for most single-season blocks in school history with 63. However, Bonner believes the additions of two big-time forward transfers Alzena Henry (Long Beach State) and Jasmine Phoolka (Fresno City College) will fill that considerable void.
“They are the type of players to do the little things and go get it. Having those type of players is going to help,” said Bonner.
He also believes that three incoming transfers and one freshman will surprise with both their confidence and ability to play at this level. They include: Phoolka, a first team all-conference selection last season at Fresno State College; Henry, a strong defensive player with Long Beach State last season; Allissa Gomez, an all-conference selection at East Los Angeles College last season; and freshman Arianna Harper, a three-time LA City Section player of the year at Legacy High School.
The conference teams that are expected to be the most competition, Bonner said, are UC San Diego, Cal Poly Pomona and Cal State Eastbay. The team begins to play Oct. 31 at Cal State Bakersfield.
Whether this year matches the glory run of the lady Toros from 2013-14 through 2015-16, when they made the NCAA tournament three consecutive years, remains to be seen. But with the blend of senior leadership and new blood, Bonner thinks the team is heading in that direction.
Photo from gotoros.com
