By Carlos Alvarez
Sports Editor
With sudden change comes a period of transition, but for the Cal State Dominguez Hills women’s basketball team that transition was short-lived.
In a span of two months CSUDH Athletic Director Jeff Falkner introduced two new head coaches to lead the women’s basketball team.
The Toros will be guided by newly hired interim Head coach John Bonner after the departure of Janell Jones, who was recently hired as the Associate Head Coach for the women’s basketball team at the University of San Francisco.
“It’s been a smooth transition,” Bonner said. “[The players] were open and honest about wanting myself and Coach [Jaleesa] Ross to be here and lead them.”
According to senior guard Imari Brown, the change from Jones to Bonner was emotional in the beginning, but got easier with time.
“We just got on the same page and worried about playing basketball,” Brown said.
Bonner will be relying on Brown to lead the Toros, who lost six seniors and a total of 14 players from the program last year.
Last season, Brown was named California Collegiate Athletic Association newcomer of the year and first team all-conference.
Brown averaged 13.4 points per game, while shooting 53 percent from the field.
“Imari [Brown] has done a fantastic job in leading the team,” Bonner said. “Imari is the one returner who played significant minutes last season. I look for her to have another great season.”
With many new faces, the Toros will rely heavily on their team-first mentality, hustle and energy.
“We want to run an up tempo offense,” Bonner said. “We have to defend and hit the boards, we want to be physical.”
CSUDH will also be led by senior guard Delaura Castanada, who brings physicality and experience to a young team.
“[Castanada is] a winner,” Bonner said. “Castanada brings an energy that holds our players accountable, but at the same time is supportive.
Bonner added that it’s important to play for one another and to continue the championship culture that has been built.
Transfer junior forward Jocelyn Diaz is excited for the opportunity to play at a higher collegiate level.
Diaz was a two-time, first-team All South Coast Conference, during her ELAC tenure.
“Coming from East Los Angeles College, it’s exciting,” Diaz said. “It’s great to play against competitors, whom are more athletic. It’s a different level.”
Diaz is one of three transfer student-athletes and three freshmen joining the women’s basketball program.
Bonner added that he expects freshman guard Kayla Gillett to play a pivotal role in the offense and the team’s success.
While team success will be measured by wins and losses, Bonner’s goal at the end of the season is to develop well-rounded players.
“We want our student-athletes to succeed on and off the floor and in the classroom.” Bonner said. “It’s important that everyone who comes and plays for us get their degree.”
CSUDH tips-off its season against Azusa Pacific University on Nov. 11 at 5 p.m. in San Diego.
“We are young, but If we play as a team and everybody plays their roles we are going to be okay,” Diaz said. “We have to stick together.”
