Senior guard
Heidi Coleman remains
Wake's top three-point threat.
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Well-Traveled Women's Basketball Returns Home to Face Lady Paladins
Then they head west to face the Oakland Tribune Classic.
December 17, 1998
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.- Fresh off their first ACC win in nearly two years, the Wake Forest women's basketball team returns home for a game before hitting the road again, traveling all the way to Berkeley, CA. The Furman game marks just the second home contest for the Demon Deacons in their first nine games, and it has been exactly a month since their home opener, an 82-75 loss to Davidson. The Cal-Berkeley tournament marks the longest trip for the Deacs since the 1989-90 campaign, when Wake played in the Alaska Northern Lights Invitational. Now at 4-4 overall, Wake is looking to pick up some steam with a few nonconference victories before heading into the all-ACC slate after the New Year. REMINDER: The Furman game has been moved from Joel Coliseum to Reynolds Gym on campus.
Scouting Wake Forest (4-4, 1-1 ACC)
Sophomore forward Olivia Dardy scored 17 points and grabbed a career-high 15 rebounds to lift Wake Forest to its first ACC win in nearly two years, a 65-47 thumping of Maryland in College Park last Sunday. The win snapped a 17-game ACC regular-season losing streak for the Deacs, who hadn't defeated a conference opponent since Feb. 23, 1997. Dardy came off the bench to hit 65 percent of her shots (7-11) and account for nearly one-third of the team's rebounds in the win. The Deacs outrebounded the Terps 48-37 and held UM to just 27 percent shooting from the floor for the game (despite missing 17 free throws themselves). Wake led by nine at halftime, then weathered an early 7-0 run by Maryland at the start of the second half. The Deacs then outdistanced the Terps with a 15-5 run of their own. Also in double figures for WFU was junior guard Alisha Mosley, who added 12 points. Sophomore guard Janae Whiteside dished a career-high tying five assists (with no turnovers), all in the first half.
Dardy currently leads the Deacs in both scoring (12.3 ppg) and rebounding (8.8 rpg) on the year, while Mosley (11.3 ppg, 3.1 apg) and senior forward Emon McMillian (10.0 ppg, 5.3 rpg) are also averaging double figures on the year. Senior guard Heidi Coleman (9.1 ppg 41.7 3FG%) remains the team's top three-point threat, averaging just under two treys per game (1.9).
Dardy Earns ACC Weekly Honors
Olivia Dardy's 17-point, 15-rebound performance vs. the Terps earned the sophomore forward ACC Co-Player of the Week honors for the week ending Dec. 13th. It is the first such honor of Dardy's young career and the first time a Deacon has been so chosen by the conference since the 1996-97 campaign.
Scouting Furman (3-4)
The Lady Paladins have had a nine-day break since their last game, a 61-58 squeaker over UNC Charlotte on Dec. 8th. After an 0-4 start against some tough opponents, Furman has won its last three straight (also topping College of Charleston and East Tennessee State). The Paladins are led by junior guard/forward Jackie Smith - a former high school teammate of Wake's Kristen Shaffer - who leads the team in scoring (20.0 ppg), rebounding (8.0 rpg), assists (3.7 apg), and blocks (1.7 bpg). Also averaging in double figures for Furman is senior forward Heidi White (11.7 ppg). The Paladins have averaged 65.4 points per game while surrendering 72.4 to opponents, and they have been outrebounded by a 5.5 margin in their first seven games.
Series History
Wake Forest holds a 5-1 advantage in the all-time series with Furman. In fact, the Deacs have won the past five straight meetings, since the Paladins' 37-31 win in 1971-72. The two squads have not met on the hardwood since the 1990-91 season, though, when Wake won 93-86 in Winston-Salem.
Scouting the Tourney Opponents
The California-Oakland Tribune Classic brings a host of unfamiliar foes, none of whom have ever faced the Deacs before.
Colorado State (10-0), Wake's first-round opponent, is ranked No. 9 in the polls and was undefeated heading into Friday's game at Santa Clara. The Rams have outscored opponents by a 17.3 margin and average 81.3 points per game. CSU is led by senior All-America guard Becky Hammon (18.0 ppg, 4.9 apg), who is already the Rams' all-time leading scorer and three-point shooter. Also in double figures is senior forward Kate Cronin (16.7 ppg), who leads the team in rebounding (6.3 rpg).
Pittsburgh (5-2) got off to a 4-0 start on the year before dropping two of their last three games (to Ohio State and Duquesne). The Panthers average 62.1 points per game while holding opponents to just 57.6 per outing. Pitt is led by senior forward Alecia Balich (13.9 ppg) and junior center Nickeia Morris (12.1 ppg, 9.9 rpg). California (2-2), the tourney host, had played just four games heading into Thursday's contest with Northwestern. The Golden Bears recently topped San Francisco after losing to Virginia and Ohio State. Cal is led by junior forward Paige Bowie (10.8 ppg) and senior center Jennie Leander (10.8 ppg, 8.8 rpg). The Bears average 56.8 points per game.
Looking for Leaders to Emerge
In the hopes that the leadership of the Demon Deacon team will emerge naturally, head coach Charlene Curtis has elected not to appoint team captains for the 1998-99 season. However, game captains will be selected for each contest by the coaching staff.
Fountain of Youth
The Demon Deacons feature an extremely youthful squad this season, with 10 of 14 players on the roster in only their freshman or sophomore years of eligibility. This young squad is anchored by four seasoned veterans, however, including two fifth-year players (Heidi Coleman and Emon McMillian), one true senior (Jenn Miklic), and one junior (Alisha Mosley).
Deacs Increase Offensive Production
Last season, despite a strong defensive game, the Deacons consistently struggled to put points on the board. No player finished the season averaging in double figures, and the team as a whole averaged just 57.4 points per game. This year, however, the Deacons have already shown improvement in the scoring department, averaging 69 points per game in their first eight outings - an increase of over 20 percent. Three players are averaging in double figures thus far - sophomore forward Olivia Dardy (12.3 ppg), junior guard Alisha Mosley (11.3 ppg), and senior forward Emon McMillian (10.0 ppg) - and seven different players have recorded at least one double-digit scoring outing thus far (the above three plus senior guard Heidi Coleman, sophomore forward Brenda Mock Kirkpatrick, and freshman centers LaChina Robinson and Elizabeth Biedrycki).
Interior Improvements
The Deacs have also demonstrated a much-improved inside game this season with the return of some key players and the addition of some new faces. Three returning forwards - senior Emon McMillian and sophomores Olivia Dardy and Brenda Mock Kirkpatrick - have demonstrated much-improved inside games this year, ranking as the team's top three rebounders and three of the top five scorers. All three have led the team in scoring or rebounding at least once. In addition, freshman centers LaChina Robinson and Elizabeth Biedrycki have provided the size and defensive presence in the paint that Wake lacked last year. The duo has combined for 6.4 points and 6.1 rebounds in just over 22 minutes per game.
Preseason Prognostications
The Deacons were picked to finish ninth in the Atlantic Coast Conference in the 1998-99 ACC Media Preseason Poll, released on October 26th. Duke was the favorite to finish first, collecting 207 points in the voting and 17 of 24 first-place votes. Virginia placed second in the voting, followed by 1998 champion North Carolina, NC State, Clemson, Florida State, Maryland, Georgia Tech, and Wake.
Coleman Closing in On Three-Point Shooting Records Senior point guard Heidi Coleman already ranks as one of the top three-point shooters in school history, and she is closing in on the Wake Forest records for threes made and attempted in a career. In her career as a Deacon, Coleman owns a 35.7 three-point shooting percentage and ranks second all-time in three-pointers made (158) and attempted (442). Both career marks are held by Nicole Levesque '94, who went on to play with the WNBA's Charlotte Sting.
Coleman currently holds the school single-season records in both categories, hitting 61-of-179 treys as a sophomore in 1996-97. Last year she nearly matched those record-setting marks, posting the second-highest single-season numbers for threes made (57) and attempted (166). Coleman also ranks as the school's ninth all-time assist leader with 251 assists in her career. The all-time record of 488 is also held by Levesque.
Raining Threes
Wake Forest has utilized an arsenal of three-point shooters this season to rank as one of the top long-distance shooting teams in the ACC. WFU currently leads the ACC in threes per game at 6.3, and the Deacs rank second in the conference in three-point field goal percentage at 36.2. Senior guard Heidi Coleman remains Wake's top three-point threat (see above), ranking second in the league in three-point percentage (15-36, 41.7) and fourth in threes per game (1.9). Junior guard Alisha Mosley has hit 33.3 percent of her attempts (12-36), while reserve guards Janae Whiteside (4-20), Adell Harris (3-9), and Val Klopfer (2-7) have also contributed clutch threes. In addition to backcourt players, however, two of the Deacs' post players can step out and hit a big three when needed. Sophomore forward Olivia Dardy (11-23, .487) has been deadly from three-point range, while Brenda Mock Kirkpatrick (3-5, .600) has demonstrated the ability to hit a few herself when left open.
Guards Boast Strong Assist-to-Turnover Ratio
Another area of dramatic improvement this year is in the Deacon guards' assist-to-turnover ratio. Last season, only one Deacon registered a positive A/TO ratio for the season (senior point guard Heidi Coleman was 57-to-55) and the backcourt as a whole stood at -1.13. This year, however, Wake has three backcourt players with strong assist-to-turnover ratios. Coleman boasts an impressive 2.55 ratio (23-to-9), while junior shooting guard Alisha Mosley owns a 2.08 ratio (25-to-12), and sophomore reserve guard Janae Whiteside has a 2.38 (19-to-8). The three boast a combined 2.31 ratio on the season, while the backcourt as a whole checks in at 1.71.
Kirkpatrick Emerging as Force in the Frontcourt
Sophomore forward Brenda Mock Kirkpatrick has been particularly impressive in Wake's last few games, emerging as yet another inside weapon for the Deacs. A true leader on the court with a tremendous work ethic, Kirkpatrick posted four straight double-figure outings in an eight-day span (FDU-Virginia), averaging 13.3 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. She netted a career-high 15 points in the win over Fairleigh Dickinson, then repeated the feat the next day with 15 points vs. East Carolina. At West Virginia, "Mocky" collected 13 points and a career-high 13 rebounds, and at Virginia, she scored 10 points - including two three-pointers - and pulled down six caroms. For the year, Kirkpatrick is averaging 9.1 points (tied for fourth on the team) and 5.4 rebounds (second). She is shooting a team-best 50 percent from the floor (28-56) and has also shown to be a threat from behind the three-point arc (3-5, 60.0%).
Dardy Continues to Lead Deacs In Scoring, Rebounding
Sophomore forward Olivia Dardy continues to lead the Deacons in both scoring (12.3 ppg) and rebounding (8.8 rpg) through the first eight games in 25.5 minutes of action per outing. At the Fairfield-Warner's Classic earlier this year, the Connecticut native impressed her hometown crowd by racking up 31 points and 21 rebounds in two games, earning All-Tournament honors and helping Wake to a runner-up finish. Last week, she earned ACC Co-Player of the Week honors for her 17-point, 15-rebound outing in Wake's victory over Maryland. On the season, Dardy has notched three double-doubles (five double-digit scoring games and three double-figure rebound games overall). A versatile player who can play either the three, four, or five position, Dardy has the ability to score both in the paint and from three-point range. Last season, she lead the team in scoring and rebounding in ACC games (8.8 ppg, 6.7 rpg) and was named to ACC Athlete magazine's All-Freshman Team.
Mosley Dishes It Off
Sophomore guard Alisha Mosley has been one of the Deacs' top offensive weapons in the first eight games, averaging 11.3 points and a team-high 3.1 assists per outing. Mosley has scored in double figures five times this year, netting a career-high 23 points in the season opener vs. Virginia Commonwealth, adding 14 points vs. both Davidson and East Carolina, scoring 13 vs. Virginia, and tallying 12 vs. Maryland. More impressively, Mosley has led the team in assists in four of the first eight games, and she set a new career best with six set-ups vs. Fairleigh Dickinson. She also boasts an impressive 2.08 assist-to-turnover ratio on the year (25-to-12). An ACC All-Freshman Team selection in 1996-97, Mosley averaged 7.6 points and 2.1 assists per game last year.
Freshman Centers Come up Big vs. Providence
Two of the Deacs' three 6'4" freshman centers - LaChina Robinson and Elizabeth Biedrycki - have seen significant action in the team's first eight games, and both turned in huge performances in the win over Providence. Robinson, a solid defensive player and shot-blocker, has started every game at center, averaging 3.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 0.9 blocks per game. She exploded for 17 points in the win over the Friars, hitting 6-of-9 from the floor and 5-of-9 from the line, and she also grabbed six rebounds. Biedrycki, a skilled rebounder who can also score down low, has shared time with Robinson in all eight games, averaging 2.8 points and 2.5 rebounds per outing. She tallied season highs in both points and rebounds vs. Providence with 12 and eight, respectively, all in just 15 minutes of court time.
Rookies Bring Backcourt Depth Too
Three other rookies have bolstered the Deacon perimeter game as well. Val Klopfer is a skilled ballhandler and a talented playmaker who has ably relieved Heidi Coleman of some playing time. at the point guard position She has played in six games, averaging 1.3 points in just over seven minutes of court time. Adell Harris is a versatile and athletic guard with pinpoint passing skills. She has played an average of 10 minutes per game, contributing 2.8 points and 1.3 assists. Harris contributed a season-high seven points vs. East Carolina. Swing player Liz Rogers, a tenacious competitor, has appeared in five games and averaged just under three minutes a contest. She recorded six points and five rebounds in just eight minutes vs. FDU.
Individual League Leaders
Senior point guard Heidi Coleman continues to rank among the ACC's top three-point shooters this season. Her 41.7 three-point percentage (15-of-36) is second-best in the ACC, and she ranks fourth in threes per game at 1.9 - a category in which she has led the league for the past two seasons. Coleman's 82.4 free throw percentage and 2.55 assist-to-turnover ratio also place her among the league's best. Sophomore forward Olivia Dardy ranks as the league's third-best rebounder (8.8 rpg), while Alisha Mosley ranks seventh in three-point percentage (12-36, .333).
Team Rankings
Through games of Dec. 15th, Wake Forest leads the ACC in three-pointers per game (6.3) and ranks second in three-point percentage (36.2). Other league rankings: 8th in scoring (69.0 ppg), 4th in scoring defense (66.0 ppg), 7th in scoring margin (+3.0), 9th in field goal percentage (.389), 4th in field goal percentage defense (.361), 8th in free throw percentage (.629), 9th in blocks (2.8 bpg), 9th in steals (6.9 spg), 7th in turnover margin (-1.1), and 4th in rebound margin (+4.4).
Honors and Awards
Olivia Dardy (So, F) - Fairfield-Warner's Classic All-Tournament Team, 11/28; ACC Co-Player of the Week, 12/14
Tip-Ins
The Deacs held Maryland to a 27.4 field goal percentage - the lowest by an opponent this year - while shooting a season-high 48.1 percent themselves...Wake Forest has outrebounded six of its first eight opponents and owns a +4.4 rebounding margin on the year...the Deacs hit 11 threes in the win over FDU, just two treys short of the school record, and drained 10 threes vs. Virginia...the 10 turnovers Wake committed vs. Davidson were the lowest total by the Deacons in over a year, while the 22 assists vs. FDU were the most in over a year...the season-opening win over VCU snapped a 16-game losing streak for the Demon Deacons, the longest in school history...Wake hit an impressive 83.3 percent of its foul shots (20-24) in the win over VCU - the best team mark in the ACC this year...Wake struggled from the free throw line vs. Maryland, hitting just 9 of 26 attempts. On the year, the Deacs have hit just 63 percent of their foul shots. Top charity-stripers on the team include Elizabeth Biedrycki (10-11, .909), Heidi Coleman (14-17, .824), and Janae Whiteside (8-10, .800).
PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP
Pos.No. Name Ht. Yr. GP/GS PPG RPG Other
F 5 Emon McMillian 6-1 Sr. 8/8 10.0 5.3 1.1 spg
F 12 Jenn Miklic 6-0 Sr. 7/6 1.0 1.7 0.9 apg
C 34 LaChina Robinson 6-4 Fr. 8/8 3.6 3.6 0.9 bpg
G 11 Alisha Mosley 5-6 Jr. 8/7 11.3 2.6 3.1 apg
G 22 Heidi Coleman 5-6 Sr. 8/8 9.1 3.8 2.9 apg
Key Reserves
F 32 Olivia Dardy 6-1 So. 8/2 12.3 8.8 2.1 apg
F 50 Brenda Mock Kirkpatrick 6-0 So. 8/0 9.1 5.4 1.0 apg
C 33 Elizabeth Biedrycki 6-4 Fr. 8/0 2.8 2.5 0.5 bpg
G 21 Janae Whiteside 5-7 So. 8/1 3.5 1.1 2.4 apg
G 23 Adell Harris 5-8 Fr. 8/0 2.8 1.0 1.3 apg
1998-99 SCHEDULE
(4-4 overall, 1-1 ACC)
November
Sat. 14 at Virginia C'wealth 81-71 W
Tue. 17 DAVIDSON 75-82 L
Tue. 24 at Providence 80-73 W
Fairfield-Warner Classic
Fri. 27 vs. Fairl. Dickinson 79-45 W
Sat. 28 vs. East Carolina 70-78 L
Mon. 30 at West Virginia 57-67 L
December
Fri. 4 at Virginia* (15/18) 45-65 L
Sun. 13 at Maryland* 65-47 W
Thu. 17 FURMAN (RG) 7:00
Cal-Oakland Tribune Classic
Sun. 20 vs. Colorado St. (9/9) 7:00
Mon. 21 vs. Cal/Pittsburgh 7:00/9:00
Tue. 29 UMBC (RG) 7:00
January
Sat. 2 NORTH CAROLINA* 4:00
Mon. 4 GEORGIA TECH* 7:00
Mon. 11 DUKE* 7:00
Thu. 14 at Florida State* 7:00
Sun. 17 at Clemson* (TV) 12:30
Sun. 24 NC STATE* (TV) 12:30
Thu. 28 VIRGINIA* 7:00
Sun. 31 at North Carolina* 1:00
February
Wed. 3 at Georgia Tech* 7:00
Sat. 6 MARYLAND* (RG) 2:00
Thu. 11 Duke* 7:00
Mon. 15 FLORIDA STATE* 7:00
Thu. 18 CLEMSON* 7:00
Sat. 20 at NC State* 2:00
F26-M1 ACC Tournament @ Charlotte
All times Eastern;* ACC games
(x/x) - Opponent's AP/USA Today ranking
RG - Home game at Reynolds Gym
TV - Broadcast on the ACC Regional Sports Network (HTS, Fox Sports South, Sunshine)
