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BeTTER: Energetic ASU building winning mentality
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Published: November 6, 2009
There's no guarantee that Appalachian State's women will have their first winning season in four years, but Coach Darcie Vincent is certain that her team will be better than it has been recently.
The Mountaineers were 9-22 overall and 7-13 in the Southern Conference in a frustrating first season for Vincent, who coached California (Pa.) to a Division II title in 2004.
"Winning is a mentality, and we're getting there," Vincent said. "These kids this year are competing better in practice. We have kids five or six weeks ago wondering who will be in the starting lineup, worrying about those things, whereas last season, it didn't even seem like they cared to put their uniforms on at times."
Vincent said that competition for playing time has been keen on a team that will rely on an influx of newcomers to complement two returning starters.
Sam Ramirez, a junior guard, is the leading returning scorer. She averaged 10.6 points last season, led the SoCon with 4.4 assists a game and led the Mountaineers with 1.8 steals.
Canesha Edwards, a 5-9 sophomore guard, led the team in rebounding with 7.5 a game.
Chakeitha Welton, who played in 10 games at Kansas in 2007-08 before suffering a season-ending knee injury, will be the Mountaineers' point guard after transferring and sitting out last season.
"She's really a prime-time player," Vincent said. "She has the ability and athleticism. She needs to play more in control, but her strengths far exceed any weaknesses."
Vincent said that Catherine Williams, a 6-1 sophomore who started 10 games last season, has made significant improvement and will most likely be a starting post player.
Sade Means, a sophomore guard who came off the bench and averaged seven points, will push for playing time, along with four freshmen who could help offset the loss of Brittany Mixon, ASU's center and leading scorer.
The freshmen include Anna Freeman, a 6-0 forward who played at East Davidson and has been impressive in the preseason; Courtney Freeman, a 5-11 freshman from Georgia who could see time as a third guard and provide rebounding strength; Kelsey Sharkey, a 6-0 forward from Ohio; and Ashlen Dewart, a 6-3 forward from South Carolina.
"The energy level is great," Vincent said. "I believe this team will play hard and be intense and be physical. That's what's going to lead to us winning games."
Vincent hired a completely new staff, and she's familiar with all of them from her coaching days at California. The new assistants include Heather Kearney, Andrea Gross and Kiesha Mack.
"We're on the same page," Vincent said. "We all know each other well, and there's a mutual respect and a comfort zone. That's been great.
"We are advancing at a more rapid rate. What we still have to work on is our decision making. I'm sure there are going to be people who will look at us and think, ‘Wow, they're a good team.' And then there will be times people will look and think, ‘Wow, they're going to be a good team next year.' I do believe we will be a better team this year."
tbowman@wsjournal.com
727-7320
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