MANDY WHITING Senior center Shalada
Allen executes a jump shot from the post over the
outstretched arms of BYU opponents earlier this season.
By Jackie Abellada
Daily Bruin Contributor
They do not attract the scores of reporters and photographers
that typically congregate around the men’s team.
Their practices are open to the public, but the halls of Pauley
Pavilion only echo with the footsteps, dribbles and talk of the
players and coaches.
Their home games typically attract some ardent fans and family
members, but only enough to fill a small fraction of the seats.
Constantly being overshadowed by their male counterparts, the
UCLA women’s basketball team does not usually have the
opportunity to bask in the limelight.
But maybe it should.
So far, the team has done pretty well. And the squad has
definitely improved from last season, winning half of its first six
games. At this point last year, the Bruins were still hungry for a
victory.
“They just feel stronger,” head coach Kathy Olivier
said. “Anytime you feel more prepared, you’re going to
play more confident and you’re going to be a better
basketball team. And that’s what we’re kind of doing
right now.”
All 12 letterwinners from last year’s squad are returning
to compete once again.
The Bruins appear to be reaping the benefits of spending the
entire season and summer together.
“We know what everybody can do and everybody’s
role,” center Malika Leatham said. “So we definitely
play much better together.”
As usual, Michelle Greco is the foundation of the team in terms
of point production. Last year’s Pac-10 leading scorer is
once again leading the Bruins with 23.6 points per game. Being such
a threat offensively, what is often overlooked is Greco’s
defensive capabilities. She is leading her team in steals with 2.6
per game and is second in rebounding, averaging five per game.
This year, some of the weight has been removed from
Greco’s shoulders as more and more of her teammates are
chipping in. Junior guard Jalina Bradley and sophomore guard
Gennifer Arranaga, who comes off the bench, have provided some
offensive spark with their outside shooting. Senior center Shalada
Allen and sophomore forward Jamila Veasley have helped the team in
rebounding and post scoring.
“I think this year we have more weapons ““ we have an
inside game and we have a perimeter game,” Greco said.
“And, I feel like we can distribute the ball a lot
more.”
The Bruins’ defense has been a nuisance to their
opponents. Led by the persistent pressure of Natalie Nakase, the
starting guard, the Bruins have been able to not only force their
opponents to commit turnovers but also stop them dead in their
tracks. Nakase also has done a tremendous job at point, leading the
team in assists with 4.66 per game.
Malika Leatham has made a name for herself defensively and
offensively. Plagued by foul trouble, her numbers last year were
deceptive of what she can really do on the court. This year, she
has been able to position herself correctly to take some hard
charges and stay on the court. As a result, she has shown her
muscle, leading the team in rebounds with 7.8 per game and is
second in scoring with 11.3 points per game.
The team awaits the return of sophomore Whitney Jones and junior
Kristee Porter, who are both multi-sport athletes. Jones, a member
of the soccer squad, adds the combination of quickness, strength
and an outside game. Porter, a volleyball and track and field star,
adds height and hops in the forward position.
Though she is delighted to have two athletes of their caliber
back in the team, Olivier is even happier with the way her team has
performed without them.
“Last year, we did not play as well without them, and they
came in and provided a big boost. I think this year we are playing
better basketball. We have people stepping it up in different
positions. So when Kristee and Whitney come back, it’s going
to make us that much better.”
The freshman trio of Sissy Pickett, Krystle Johnson, and Brianna
Winn add much needed size and body to the squad ““ two
elements that were in short supply last season. Although all three
have only seen limited action, Olivier believes that they are
definitely improving and it will only be a matter of time that they
get into the groove of things.
Hopefully, in the next couple of weeks, the Bruins get into the
rhythm of playing both at home and on the road ““ something
they need to learn come Dec. 20 when they face Oregon for their
first Pac-10 game of the season. And, like every year, the Pac-10
schedule will not be easy for these women.
But, by that time, the team hopes to show the collegiate world
that they too deserve the spotlight.
“You’ve just got to come and watch us,”
Leatham added.