By
Kamy Shaygan
Arizona Daily Wildcat
After facing a season of ups and downs, the Arizona women's basketball team will try to regroup. UA head coach Joan Bonvicini figures the best place to do so is in Italy.
Every four years, the UA women's basketball team travels to a foreign location for some international experience, both on and off the court.
"We play six games against professional teams and the best part is that it's an experience our team can never forget," UA associate head coach Denise Dove Ianello said. "It's like were moving forward (from the 2000-01 season)."
Despite injuries, suspensions and disappointments, the Wildcats (20-12 overall, 9-9 Pacific 10 Conference) posted their fifth 20-win season in the last six years.
Midway through the season, junior guard Tysell Bozeman was kicked off the team after violating team policies. Freshman Veranda James spent most of the season on the bench following concussions and team-imposed academic suspensions.
Although the Wildcats finished fifth in the Pac-10, the Wildcats were 10-2 against non-conference schools, their only losses coming to eventual national champion Notre Dame and Auburn, a team ranked No. 9 in the country.
"Our team had to go through a lot, but I really thought we grew and we learned and came together and made the most out of a lot of adverse situations," Dove Ianello said.
For the first time since 1996, the Wildcats failed to make it to the NCAA Tournament. Although Arizona was ranked for much of the season, the team lost 10 of its final 16 games and were eliminated from tournament contention.
"Right now, we are just moving our sights forward to next season," Dove Ianello said.
Individually, the Wildcats were led by senior guard Reshea Bristol, who was drafted two weeks ago by the WNBA's Charlotte Sting.
The Omaha, Neb., native led the Pac-10 in assists (7.56 apg) and averaged 15.6 points per game.
"Reshea had a great year," Dove Ianello said. "She's doing really well in draft camp (for the Charlotte Sting) right now."
"It really (was) great playing with her," UA freshman guard Aimee Grzyb said.
UA head coach Joan Bonvicini said she is confident Bristol will succeed at the next level.
"I think Reshea has a pretty good chance to become a good pro," Bonvicini said. "She's an excellent athlete with good size and quickness. She is the kind of player that will play better with better people around her."
With Bristol gone, the focus will turn to James.
The freshman had a breakthrough season, averaging 13.1 points and 8.2 rebounds per game.
"If I had to project the kind of career she will have at Arizona, it's very bright," Dove Ianello said.
James wasn't the only freshman to log quality minutes off the bench. Freshmen Grzyb, Jen Chesney, and Candice Allen also were stellar performers for Arizona.
"They were very good basketball players and their transition was excellent," Dove Ianello said. "I think as a freshman class they did very well."
As for next season, Dove Ianello said it won't be hard finding a team leader.
"I project Elizabeth Pickney, Veranda James, Julie Brase, and Krista Warren (will succeed)," she said. "They all four know Joan's expectations on and off the floor."
