Now that the political elections are over, plenty of people have time to focus on the next set of important decisions: who will the starters be for their favorite basketball teams? Illinois State womens basketball coach Jenny Yopp is enjoying the process this year.
The competition at Redbird practices has Yopp projected at 40 percent undecided, 60 percent fairly, heading into the Redbirds first exhibition game at 2 p.m. Sunday against the Ohio Premier All-Stars. Junior point guard Taren OBrien, sophomore forward Katie Donovan and 6-foot-5 junior college transfer center Zora Skrabalova appear to have three jobs in hand.
The other two spots--a wing position and a post--are the subject of daily practice battles. Senior Steph Reichle and sophomore Jaci McCormack are battling for the guard spot, while Skrabalovas companion in the post will come from among sophomores Erin Keeney and Michelle Harakas as well as junior Sharon Blade.
Not only does Yopp have more players battling for starting spots, the depth and experience is allowing the Redbirds to play the 94-40 (94 feet for 40 minutes) style their coach favors and has been building toward since she arrived in Normal.
The great thing is that all 15 of our players play well together, said Yopp, whose team opens the regular season Nov. 23 at Western Michigan. And the depth we have enables us to apply the kind of defensive pressure against opponents that we believe in.
Better athletes and better depth has impacted the offense as well, according to Yopp.
We have added some new things to our offense that fit with the added height and athleticism of this team, said Yopp. As far as getting to play an opponent, Im sure our team is just as excited as I am to see an actual opponent out there. Our scrimmages and practices have been exceptionally competitive, but this will be a real challenge. Im sure our fans will be just as interested as I am to see how we play.
And, as for establishing starters?
Even on a team without a star system like ours, its important to eventually decide who will be our igniters and pacesetters for the long term, said Yopp. That will help set up our depth and give everyone an opportunity to understand, within the team mentality, what there roles are and when they will be called upon.
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