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Reloading for a new season

Arizona Summer Wildcat

With the loss of 5 seniors UA will rely on youth and depth

Don't tell the Arizona women's basketball team that they are in a rebuilding year after losing five seniors to graduation.

After setting a school record in wins last season with 25 and finishing in second place in the Pacific 10 Conference, the team is relying on a strong group of juniors led by guards Julie Brase and Tysell Bozeman and forward Elizabeth Pickney to keep the Wildcats in contention.

"We have a good core group coming back with our juniors," assistant coach Curtis Loyd said.

With only one senior - guard Reshea Bristol - leadership will have to come from a variety of players.

"I am basically gonna try and keep people together," Bristol said. "We still have a lot of talent and are very athletic."

Without a lot of senior leadership, developing a strong sense of chemistry among the team is one of the keys to starting the season successfully.

"We just want chemistry-wise, we want the best chemistry with our players and staff that we have ever had," Loyd said. "We are in an excellent position because we are stilling looking for leadership. Everybody is going to have a little leadership role."

As leadership roles are spread throughout the team, so should the playing time as head coach Joan Bonvincini likes to use a deep rotation that employs a high energy, running style of basketball.

Defensively Arizona will rely on Bristol, one of the Pac-10's top defenders, to control the court.

Bristol, honorable mention All-Pac-10 last season, has been focusing on her offense lately and improving her all-around game.

"Just be a lot more consistent with scoring and keep the turnovers down," she said.

Pickney will be the main option in the post as she was third on the team in both scoring and rebounding last season. She is the team's leading returning scorer.

Sophomore guard Krista Warren will also be counted on this season as she returns from a very successful freshman campaign as she was selected to the All-Pac-10 Freshman Team. With her 6-foot-2 frame, Warren provides many matchup problems for opposing guards.

The Wildcats also have a strong group of incoming freshman that should help add depth to the team.

Guards Candice Allen, Aimee Grzyb, Jennifer Chesney and forward Veranda all have an opportunity to see playing time.

"We have a good incoming freshman class coming in," Loyd said. "All of them should make an immediate impact."

Bristol said the freshman will have to work hard if they are going to be an integral part of the team's success this season though.

"It is up to them if they want to make a big impact," she said. "We still want to be one of the top contenders in the Pac-10."