There’s a new aura surrounding the Long Beach State women’s basketball team this season.
First-year head coach Jody Wynn’s infectious, upbeat personality has spread like a wild fire as she works to sell her approach of playing basketball to a team that finished 8-21 last season. And early on, the demeanor among the players indicates they may have bought in.
“It’s a mindset,” Wynn said. “I’ve got to get these kids confident. We have to start believing in ourselves and each other.”
LBSU is predicted to finish fifth out of nine teams in the Big West Conference Preseason Media Poll.
The new coaching staff seems to have changed senior forward Whitney Fields’ entire attitude.
“I’m very excited about this season,” Fields said. “It’s going to be way better than last year. We are going to surprise a lot of people.”
Fields led the team in scoring last season at 12.7 points per game, but acknowledged that her role may change this season.
“My job is to play defense, rebound, clean up the boards and just help get my teammates open,” she said.
Fields said she plans on leading the Big West in rebounding once again this season, after averaging 8.7 per game last season.
Change of pace
Wynn will attempt to incorporate a playing-style that will get the team up and down the floor and create tempo.
Offensively, the 49ers will look to spread the floor for the guards to come off ball screens. In addition to posting up in the paint, the team’s forwards could also be asked to play more on the perimeter.
Wynn said she would like to keep LBSU’s opponents off-balance defensively, so they’re going to mix it up a little bit. The 49ers plan on playing multiple defenses, and don’t be surprised if they attack with a press.
Wynn doesn’t have a set starting five, but said it may change game-by-game according to match-ups, or how players are performing in practice and games.
“I don’t really care who starts,” Wynn said. “I think it’s more important who finishes games and who’s in the game during crunch time.”
The personnel
The 49ers boast a roster loaded with eight seniors, including guard Karina Figueroa, who returns to the team after utilizing a medical redshirt last season due to a foot injury.
Coach Wynn said the team’s seniors have kept the team together and are leading not only through words, but through actions.
Newcomers to the team include freshman Jazmyne Porter and sophomore Amanda Sims, the sister of senior guard Lauren Sims. The younger Sims is a transfer from Texas Christian University. Initially she had planned to make the team as a walk-on, until a scholarship recently became available.
“She wanted to be here and be a part of the Beach family and our program.” Wynn said of Sims. “She’s going to be a great addition to the program and has a whole year to learn the system and learn the game.”
The Beach will be without guard Adelle Walton, who was named to the Big West All-Freshman team last season and also led the team in assists with 4.1 per game. According to Wynn, it was a coach’s decision to release her from the program.
No easy road
Coach Wynn has put together a rugged nonconference schedule. The 49ers open the season Friday against 2009 NCAA Tournament team Prairie View A&M at 7 p.m. at the Walter Pyramid, followed by another home contest against Loyola Marymount on Nov. 16.
Other notable games at the Pyramid include Wynn’s alma mater USC on Dec. 3 and the No. 18-ranked California Golden Bears on Dec. 21.
“We’re playing some great preseason opponents,” Wynn said. “You play games for a reason and my belief is that anybody can beat anybody any given night and that’s the mentality we’re going in there with.”
Whether the 49ers are playing one of the best teams, or one of the worst, Figueroa said she believes the team will continually play hard.
“Each game is going to be a battle,” Figueroa said. “No matter what, I’m expecting us to go all out, 100 percent, for however long we are playing.”
Conference action begins with a three-game homestand, starting with UC Riverside on Jan. 2 at 4 p.m., followed by Cal State Fullerton on Jan.7 and UC Irvine on Jan. 9.
Individual talents aside, Wynn has made teamwork a central theme for the 49ers this season.
“We don’t have any individual one talent that can put the whole team on their shoulders,” Wynn said. “We are going to share the ball, play together and win games as a team. That’s how we’re going to do it.”