As the University of New Orleans women's basketball team ran through
their last play of practice last week, there were six true freshmen on
the court participating in the five-on-five drill.
A seventh member of the freshman class was not too far away, cheering on her teammates from the sidelines.
With the largest freshman class under head coach
Amy Champion since
Talishia Young,
Jada Frazier and
Cookie Johnson headed a class of six in 2005, the look on the court is much different from a year ago.
Just last season, the coaching staff could count on 10 upperclassmen with just two players on the roster who had yet to complete their sophomore year.
With seven freshmen to go along with six seniors and a sophomore, much has changed.
Since the freshmen arrived on campus, Champion and her staff were able to provide some individual and team skill instruction in accordance with NCAA rules. Since the official practice window opened on Oct. 16, the squad has been able to build off those sessions.
In just the last few weeks of practice, Champion has seen enough to excite her.
"The freshmen class we brought in have a lot of potential and of course, a lot of room for growth," said Champion during Sun Belt Conference Media Days. "I have been really excited with them through the preseason."
With such a disparity on a team that leans more to youth than experience, the freshmen have had to get up to speed in understanding what their coaches expect of them. Much to the coaching staff's surprise, the players hopped right into the action.
"Their ability to learn, their skill level and basically, their overall talent level has been a surprise to us," said Champion.
While such a situation is not ideal as coaches try to balance class sizes, the Lady Privateer head coach could not ask for much more.
"When we first realized where our numbers were a year or two ago, we got a little nervous about starting this season," said Champion. "Surprisingly, it has been a chemistry we could have never taught."
"Our seniors have received the freshmen well, our freshmen have open arms for the seniors. It has been a pleasant surprise for the older ones to receive the young ones like they have."
Though Champion and her staff have yet to announce a starting lineup for the Nov. 14 opener at McNeese State, a freshman starting at some point is bound to occur based on preseason practice.
Currently, freshman
Amanda McCarthy finds herself as one of several freshmen that are expected to break the starting lineup.
A player that knows a little something about a freshman making the first five is the last true freshman to start a game, current senior
Candice McGee. McGee started four games during the 2006-07 campaign.
As fate may have it, McGee and McCarthy were selected the 2009-10 team captains in a vote by their teammates.
To have a true freshman as a captain is not something common across the country, but Champion feels that McCarthy is suited for the role.
“It is quite an honor for a true freshman to be selected team captain, but in all honesty, she has wanted and accepted the leadership role for this team from day one,” said Champion.
The season opener remains 11 days away and with the seven freshmen all expected to contribute this year; they will look to their two captains – the last freshman to start a game and the next freshman to take on that role – to feed off of.
“I have mentioned our freshmen in every press interview and will continue to talk about them,” said Champion. “I am so pleased with this class and anticipate all of them contributing throughout the year.”
“We have every position filled and are ready to get the season underway.”
