Women’s basketball enters season ranked 8th nationally
Matt Schaeffer
Entering her fifth season as the head coach of the lady Thunderbirds, Kori Stephenson took the time after practice to answer a few questions about her current team.Last season the team went 21-11 and were DII RegionI runner-ups
Question: What style of offense are you running?
Stephenson: “We always look to run transition, up and down, up tempo. And then we’re working on a motion, but yet quick hitters.”
Question: What is the difference from
last year’s offense?
Stephenson: “In the X’s and O’s we have more post players, more people playing in their natural positions, also their collective work ethic and their enthusiasm (are better). They’re just a good bunch of kids.”
Question: Who are your key players?
Stephenson: “They’re all going to play a major role and I think it’s because we’re really balanced.”
Question: How deep is this team?
Stephenson: “They can all give minutes and if they’re not getting minutes on Wednesdays and Saturdays then they’re pushing our starters.”
Question: What are the team’s weaknesses?
Stephenson: “I would say discipline, on the court discipline. Just making sure everyone is doing what they are supposed to be doing.”
Question: With only one or two years with the players how do you quickly build chemistry?
Stephenson: “We talk about the program. Not just the team but the whole history of the program. As soon as we get the kids in the summer we start building a rapport with them during the off season conditioning. And we tell them that it’s pretty important to come in and not waste time trying to feel people out.”
Question: What are your expectations for this season?
Stephenson: “To win. To compete for a regional championship.”
Stephenson’s teams have enjoyed winning seasons in three of her four seasons going 77-32 in that time, including a Region I Division II Championship and two runner-ups.
