Search

ARCHIVES
CONTACT US
WORLD NEWS

High expectations for newcomers to women's baskbetball team

Wildcat File Photo Arizona Daily Wildcat Freshman guard Krista Warren looks for a pass, while sophomore guard Tysell Bozeman runs her drill behind her during Saturday morning's practice. Warren and freshman walk-on Jamie Sturdivant have impressed the players and coaches with their abilities through the first week of practice.

With practice beginning this week for the UA women's basketball team, two new faces stepped on the floor at McKale Center for the first time.

The special thing about these two players is that they are highly regarded by their teammates and coaches as dedicated, hard-workers.

Freshmen guards Krista Warren and Jamie Sturdivant join a team comprised of many veteran players, but are making a name for themselves early in the preseason.

Warren played at Cloverdale High School in Cloverdale, Calif. where she was named the 1999 California Division IV Player of the Year. Sturdivant is a walk-on player from Simi Valley High School in Simi Valley, Calif. where as a senior she was chosen for the 1999 Los Angeles Times All-County team.

Head coach Joan Bonvicini said she has been very pleasantly surprised with the performances of the two in the first week of practice considering the jump they've had to make since coming to Tucson.

"I am very impressed with how hard Krista and Jamie work," Bonvicini said. "They both have an eagerness to learn and a good attitude, which makes them a joy to coach."

Senior guard Lisa Griffith said that she has also been delighted with Sturdivant and Warren's willingness to ascertain everything about the system the Wildcats play.

"It is good to have new faces, as they are both very hard workers that want to learn," Griffith said. "They are very easy going, but at the same time, want to do well in learning all the drills and offenses."

Warren said that the adjustment from the high school level to the collegiate game is difficult, but feels that her progress is coming along nicely.

"I think I have a lot to learn, but I am going to fit into this offense very nicely," Warren said. "All the players get along very well and they are helping me along every step of the way."

Sturdivant also commented that there is a significant transition to be made into the university level.

"The intensity is a lot tougher than I am used to in high school, but I feel that I am making the change pretty well," she said. "Everything comes so fast, and I just need to learn how Arizona basketball works and basically get used to everything over these first few practices."

In helping them adjust, Sturdivant and Warren agreed that the older players on the team have been instrumental in adapting them to the UA system.

"The older girls are always really encouraging," Sturdivant said. "They are always telling me to come talk to them about anything, whether it is basketball related or not. I am impressed with how well this team sticks together."

As a senior, Griffith feels that some of the weight lies on her shoulders in making these two newcomers into the players they know they can be.

"Since I have been here so long, I know what it is like to be a freshman, so I want to help them out as much as possible and give them extra help if they don't understand something," she said. "Even if they just need someone to give them a high five, I just want to do whatever I can to help them through the adjustment process."