The Women’s Basketball team is headed for a new season
The women’s basketball season is underway for the Toros as they look to make another run in the NCAA D2 Tournament. Last season, CSUDH had its best season in school history with a 31-3 overall record and made it all the way to the Elite Eight. This season the team is aiming to be even better and win their first ever D2 Basketball Championship.
The new season means there are new faces in the team. During the offseason the work ethic and team chemistry has still been at a priority, which has grown the confidence of the roster.
“We have a lot of new faces and are still working to create the identity of this year’s team,” said Head Coach John Bonner, in an email to the bulletin. “It always feels good to see what you have against other teams, but we have a ways to go, as we have yet to have our full roster due to injuries.”
The Toros have to focus on recreating a chemistry within the team.
Junior Power Forward, Kylie Gallick stated, “We have built a solid foundation. Each practice we push each other to be better versions of ourselves. We have the drive to be the best team on the court and we are very ready for the upcoming season.”
The Toros bring back two star players, Sophomore Guard, Nala Williams and Senior Forward, Asia Jordan. Williams and Jordan were top 3 on the team in points, minutes and rebounds per game.
“I’m hopeful that we will have a group that will be great people off the court, will do their best academically, and enjoy playing with one another on the court,” said Bonner.
Last season, the team also had six returners and were able to finish first in the California Collegiate Athletic Associations standings. To achieve this again, the key returners and the new players must develop team chemistry that will propel success during the new season.
One of the biggest lessons learned from last season was to enjoy the moment as it takes the entire team sacrifice and a collective goal to make team history.
“Chemistry was so important, and we had a team that really enjoyed competing together and hanging together,” said Bonner.
“We always want to keep the important things first. We want to be the best version of ourselves in the community and within the campus. We also want to excel academically and do our best in the classroom,” said Bonner. “These are our priorities. We have the privilege of representing our university at the highest level and want to make sure we do that to the best of our abilities.”
