Beginning her second season at the helm of Westmont Women's Basketball, head coach Kirsten McKnight is excited about shaping the 2006-07 Warrior team from a mixture of seasoned veterans and an outstanding recruiting class. "This year's team is committed to a defensive mentality," said McKnight. "We have solid defensive players coming back from last year and we've added to that a group of incoming players that are very strong defensively. I'm the kind of coach that is always going to take my players strengths and run a system to put them in a position to use their strengths." The results will be a different looking Warrior team from the 2005-06 season which included three seniors who finished in the top ten on Westmont's career scoring list. "We have a lot to prove," said senior Dani Russell, one of three co-captains, "but we have great potential this year. The scoring will be more spread out. I think you will see four or five people in double-digits and everyone contributing offensively."


"We are excited about our defense because we bring back all of our defensive strength," offered McKnight. "We want to be sure we are finishing our defensive possessions with a rebound every time. Defensively we want to force teams to play faster than they want to play to the point that they are turning the ball over. The key is for us to be able to go from a frenetic defense to a controlled offense, take care of the ball and capitalize offensively on what our defense creates."


The defensive system envisioned by McKnight requires a team which is united and dependent on each other. To find a source for that kind of cohesiveness, the Warriors look not only to their bond as athletes committed to a team, but also to a bond which issues out of a spiritual focus. That focus is summarized in the team's motto - "As One for One." "Playing ‘as one' is our team playing together, being selfless and everyone being dedicated to the goal," explained senior Jenn Tolle, another of the three captains. "Playing ‘for one' means playing for Christ and making sure he is preeminent in all that we do. Our faith is very important to us - it's the very core of our team." Junior Stephanie Anderson, the third team captain concurred, "It means that we are playing together, united on the court with one goal and one purpose. Playing ‘for one' means glorifying God by using the gifts he has given us."


"Coach says to us, ‘Play for an audience of one' - that being God," said Russell. "We adopted our theme to help us remember our identity statement. It reminds us who we are, what we are about and who we play for." Though optimistic about the season, the Warriors understand that there are challenges.


"Our biggest challenge is having an unproven team," expressed McKnight. "We lost three seniors that made up the majority of our scoring. We are excited about our defense, but at the same time we have some holes to fill offensively. There is no doubt that we have returning players that will step up and fill those holes and incoming players that have the capability to fill those holes. But it's unproven. As of right now we are very talented, but we need to step up and make it happen."


Guards In career offensive statistics, Megan Fate and Meghan O'Donogue are both in the top five in eight of the 13 statistical categories and one or the other is in the top five in four of the remaining five categories. Both guards graduated last May, leaving the Warriors will big shoes to fill. "In general, we are seeking more offensive balance," explained McKnight. "Opponents won't be able to just key on one or two players. Part of our ‘As One for One' theme, is an understanding that filling the offensive void which was left us will be a team effort - everyone doing it together. It's not just one person who is going to step up and become the star." Helping to fill that void at the point guard position will be 5' 5" sophomore Lindsey Chessum who averaged eleven minutes while playing in every game last season. Chessum produced 62 points for the Warriors scoring in double figures against both Fresno Pacific and Pacific Union. "Lindsey was so solid for us defensively last year at the point guard position," recalled McKnight. "Defensively she created a lot of havoc. Lindsey is solid with the ball and will be able to get the ball up the court and get us into an offense." Also expected to make a difference at the point guard position is 5' 7" freshman Amber Stevens who was named the 2006 Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table Athlete of the Year in her final season at Dos Pueblos High School. The four-time All-Channel League selection averaged 14 points, 5.2 steals and 3.4 assists per game in her senior year and led the league in both steals (134) and assists (89). "Offensively, Amber has a great understanding of the game," said McKnight. "She knows where and when to pass. She makes people around her better and as a point guard, that's huge. In the half court she has the capability of penetrating and making someone defend her and open up her teammates. She has great athleticism, great hands and great instincts. She gets her hands on a lot of balls defensively. "A high school coach of an undefeated team paid her a great compliment," continued McKnight. "She told me they had a rule when they played against Amber, that if she was within six feet of you, you had to get rid of the ball. That's how big of a defensive threat Amber is." Returning to help at the shooting guard position is 5' 11" sophomore Annie Johnson who saw action in 25 games last season. Johnson averaged 2.2 points per game and twice scored a season high of 11 points. "Annie can shoot the three and has worked on getting her shot off quicker to create more opportunities for shooting on the perimeter," reported McKnight. "She shot 38% from three-point range, so she has been a consistent scorer when she has had opportunities. Annie may be our most aggressive player at attacking the rim. On one dribble she can get from beyond the three-point line to finger rolling. She is a balanced yet explosive presence on the perimeter. Junior Kara Reynolds (5' 5"), who saw action in all thirty of the Warriors' games last season, will provide additional minutes for McKnight at the guard position. "Kara has focused this summer on improving her perimeter shooting consistency," commented McKnight. "Kara's strength and toughness are huge assets for us. She brings outstanding energy to the court." Reynolds averaged 9.9 minutes on the court and posted a season high 12 points against Pacific Union. Also expected to contribute at the shooting guard position are two freshmen recruits - Jessica Case (5' 9") and Kerri Reyes (5' 8"). Case, a four year starter at El Dorado High School averaged 14.7 points and seven rebounds per game while leading her team to the CIF-Southern Section semifinals in her senior year. "Jessica is a gym rat," said McKnight. "She has been around basketball and been the recipient of great coaching growing up which is evident in her basketball presence when she plays. Jessica has a scorer's mentality and is accustomed to putting the ball in the basket." Reyes, who played for Calvary Chapel High School in Las Vegas, averaged 12 points per game and was a three-year all-conference selection. She holds the Nevada state free throw record, having connected on all 16 attempts in a single game. "Kerri is coming off a knee injury, but is a fantastic outside shooter," offered McKnight. "She has a championship mentality regarding how she goes about working toward her goals and her dreams. That mentality will enable her to come back from her knee injury and have a successful career."


Forwards "At forward, we have three returnees who have seen a lot of court time," said McKnight. "Their experience in understanding games and competition will be very important from a leadership perspective." That experience and leadership potential comes in the form of all three captains - Anderson, Russell and Tolle. "One of my biggest roles is to lead by example," reflected Anderson, "constantly working hard and trying to improve each moment and being encouraging, especially for the freshman. Something I've been learning is what it really means to play for God. Coach Mac has done an excellent job of teaching us that. So I want to present that to our freshman so they can see how it looks."


Anderson (5' 8") started every game for the Warriors last season, averaging 5.7 points and 2.8 rebounds per game. On five occasions she scored in double digits including a season high of 16 points against Bethany. Anderson also pilfered the ball 50 times and contributed 46 assists. "Steph makes things happen," said McKnight. "She will be on the floor for every loose ball, take charges, and impact the game with her toughness, hustle and defensive presence."


Russell (5' 9") played in 20 games and started in nine during the 2005-06 campaign. She contributed 4.1 points and 2.3 rebounds per contest to the Warrior cause. Tolle (5' 9") averaged 4.4 points and 2.7 rebounds while playing in all 30 games. She shot 44.6% from the floor and 39.3% from three-point range. "Dani and Jenn can score inside-outside, back to the basket or facing the hoop," noted McKnight. "Defensively, Dani can shut down anyone she plays against. Jenn is a real student of the game and raises our basketball I.Q. on the floor."


Joining the upper classmen at forward is freshman Kendra Yancey (5' 10") of San Clemente High School. Yancey was named the 2006 South Coast League Co-MVP. "Kendra is a very smart player," assessed McKnight. "Defensively she is tough and doesn't mind being physical. She also has a good understanding of the game. Kendra can hit open shots and make the right pass offensively. She has a lot of intangibles as far as leadership qualities, work ethic and toughness that will be important to our team."


Posts Returning to play post is 6-1 sophomore Ali Mooty who averaged 13.5 points and a team best 7.9 rebounds per game in her freshman year. Mooty recorded eleven double-doubles in the 2005-06 campaign while adding 51 steals and 35 assists. Mooty reached double digits in scoring in 23 games and posted 20 or more points five times, including a season high 26 against California Baptist. "She was an awesome presence in the post for us last year," said McKnight. "Now she has a year of experience under her belt that will help her score consistently and have an inside presence to which other teams will have to adjust."


Replacing Sara Uhlman, who graduated in May after finishing ninth on the Warriors career scoring list, are newcomers Brittney Crawford (6-0) and Alisha Heglund (6-1). Crawford is a 6-0 junior transfer from Irvine Valley College where she averaged 6.9 points and 6.0 rebounds this past season. "I am excited about Brittney's strength," noted McKnight. "She is a mobile, athletic power post player that isn't afraid of contact and will initiate some contact. Defensively, she will be able to match up with some of the stronger posts we play against. Offensively, Brittney has a great touch inside. She is left-handed but can finish just as well right and she has a great jump hook."


Before college, Crawford played at Irvine High School where she was named to the All-Sea View Conference All-City first teams. Heglund comes to the Warriors from Temescal Canyon High School where she averaged 22.1 points and 11.0 rebounds per game. Named MVP of the Southwest League and the All-Valley Team, Heglund earned second team All-CIF Southern Section honors. "Alisha Heglund has the desire and ability to be a dominant post player in this conference," said McKnight. "She has the necessary size and strength and her foot work and touch inside are incredible. Like Brittney, Alisha has the ability to finish right or left."


Schedule "I'm excited about our schedule," expressed McKnight. "In our exhibition games we are playing two Division I teams that will help prepare us for a difficult GSAC conference. As a program that has our goals set on going to nationals, to play and compete and beat teams of that caliber is what we are going to have to do if we want to win an NAIA national championship."


The Warriors kick off the year on Halloween night with an exhibition game at Pepperdine which is coming off a trip to the 2006 NCAA National Championships. Westmont's second exhibition match up won't come until December 18 when they will travel north for a match up with UC Davis. Westmont will begin non-conference play on November 3-4 at the Robert Morris Las Vegas Tournament where they will play Xavier (La.) and the hosts Robert Morris (Ill.). "Xavier didn't have a team last year because of Hurricane Katrina," noted McKnight. "We are their first opponents after a year off. It will be exciting for them and we hope to bring some of our spirit to them and have a great game," said the Warrior coach. Westmont's home opener will be held on November 10 against Dominican followed by a home game on November 13 against Holy Names.


"With a team as young as we are, I think it is very important that we are playing at home in familiar territory with our fans and family there cheering us on," said McKnight. Also important to McKnight is the opportunity afforded by the non-conference schedule to play teams from around the nation. "Playing teams from other conferences and other areas is really important to the development of this program,' said McKnight. "In non-conference games, we play teams from Louisiana, Illinois, Ohio, New York, and North Dakota."


Mount Vernon Nazarene (Ohio) will be in town on November 25 with Houghton (N.Y.) and Minot State (N.D.) playing at Murchison Gymnasium on back-to-back afternoons December 28 and 29. Golden State Athletic Conference games begin early with the first game against California Baptist coming at home on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving and a home match up with Azusa Pacific scheduled for November 28.


"The GSAC will be as tough as ever," predicted McKnight. "Vanguard (last year's conference champions) returns everyone and has added more people to their roster. The conference continues to get stronger because it is a conference that cares about the right things and provides a great experience for our student-athletes. More and more great players want to be a part of that so you are seeing our conference get stronger and stronger. Every night we go out there is going to be a challenge."


Post Season Play Two bids to the NAIA National Championship are automatically awarded to Golden State Athletic teams. One is given to the regular season champion and the other to the conference tournament winner. If the regular season champion and tournament winner are one in the same, the second bid is given to the team finishing second at the tournament.


This year will see a change to the eight team conference tournament, which will begin on February 28. Instead of reseeding after each round, as has been done in past years, the tournament will be conducted in a fixed bracket. "Not reseeding gives the lower seeds in the tournament a legitimate chance at trying to get that second automatic berth to nationals," said McKnight. "Before, as a lower seed, you would have to beat the top three seeds. Now if you beat a top seed in the first game you will play a middle seeded team in the second game. It is more probable to see an upset and gives everyone a chance to have a bid at nationals which makes for fun basketball in March. "I haven't been to nationals since my freshman year," said Russell. "It was an incredible experience and I envision the end of the year in Tennessee at nationals. Winning in Tennessee would make me very happy."


"It would be great to share the experience of going to nationals with the younger players," noted Tolle. "It could be such a springboard for the program for the underclassman to get a taste of what it takes to be one of the top programs in the nation. "This is one of the more athletic teams that we've had in awhile," continued Tolle. "We have a lot of younger players which means that everyone is so hungry with lots of energy and intensity. If we can harness that energy and funnel it towards something positive, I think we are going to have a great year."