Womens basketball looking to take steps forward in 2019-20 season
After finishing with a sub-.500 record in each of the past three seasons, St. Bonaventure head coach Jesse Fleming finally feels as if he has laid a foundation for success. This foundation he hopes can help the Bonnies return to where they were under former coach Jim Crowley. Under the three-time Atlantic 10 coach of the year, the Bonnies were one of the nation’s best, earning NCAA Tournament bids twice and the WNIT three times, and winning 20+ games in five seasons, including a 31-win season in 2011-12.
With seven newcomers and seven returners, Fleming said the pieces are there. Now, it’s time to work.
As an assistant under Crowley, Fleming said success and winning came through experience.
“Our successful teams under Jim were built on experience,” said Fleming. “We had a roster jumble my first three years as head coach. We do finally feel we have the foundation laid out to succeed. The players we have now are players we see staying here and getting better over four years. It’s taken years off my life, and I am happy with the roster we have now and looking into the future.”
Two of those players have three full seasons left in the Brown and White: Deja Francis and Asianae Johnson.
Both averaging over nine points per game last season, the duo of sophomores combined for around 50 % of the teams scoring.
Johnson, who ranked third among Atlantic 10 freshmen in points per game, said she hopes to emulate her performance from last year. Nothing will change for the Brooklyn, New York basketball hound.
“Honestly, I just want to do the same thing I did last year,” Johnson said. “I expect the same thing. Same underdog mentality.”
In her second season, Johnson said she strives to be unguardable, confident and poised. Being no stranger to the college game now, the things have slowed down for her.
“Everyday, I’ve been working on my shot,” Johnson said. “Honestly, I feel like I am going to be unguardable. That was somewhat the case last year, but there’s always room for improvement and growth. That’s where I am at right now.
She continued, “Everything is easier now. My mind isn’t racing. I am a few steps ahead of the game now. I understand the game better.”
Francis, who ranked fourth among all A10 rookies in scoring and second in assists, said she wants to continue on her ways, but bring her play to another level.
“The offseason went so fast, but it’s go time. It’s time to step it up,” Francis said. “I have no choice but to do better this year. I’m looking to improve upon everything.”
Francis said, “Assists have always been a big part of my game, even before college. I hope to be at least in the top five.”
For the first time in nearly five seasons, the Bonnies will take the floor without McKenna Maycock, who undeniably was the heart and soul of this Bona program. Maycock finished her career atop the program record book in numerous scoring categories, ranking 13th all-time in 3-pointers made with 100 and ninth in free-throw percentage at nearly 80 percent.
With her departure, Fleming has had to adjust. While he has scoring threats in both Francis and Johnson, he said an offense by committee approach, with many players having to step up, will be key. He said the added depth provides an opportunity for many different scorers to fill Maycocks void.
“It’s going to be a committee approach,” Fleming said. “We can’t just plug in a three player and say, ‘Hey, give us 13 points a game like McKenna did.’”
He continued, “Deja and Asianae will continue their scoring, Jurnee President, who transferred in from junior college can help out. Two freshmen, Oliva Brown and Olivia Tucker, will provide as well.”
Brown, a guard from Grand Rapids, Michigan, averaged over 17 points per game in high school, while Tucker put up similar numbers, scoring well over 1,000 career points in her high school career.
President, on the other hand, comes from New Mexico Junior College, where she helped the Thunderbirds win 59 games in two seasons. There, she scored nine points a game and buried 54 3-pointers in 68 starts.
“I am going to bring 3-pointers. I have a very good shot,” President said. “I also can get to the basket. That’s my game.”
With so many new faces and moving parts, gelling early in the season can be difficult at the college and professional levels. However, according to senior forward Amanda Oliver, this team has come together nicely.
It all started this summer.
“We came in for a week over the summer, and the team clicked instantly,” Oliver said. “The competition on our team is impeccable. We’ve got girls that can do everything. I am really excited to see what we can do this year.”
While long-term goals for Fleming and his team may be to make March meaningful once again, he has his eyes on the short term. Teams can’t have success with glaring weaknesses. Last year, there were plenty. Most important to Fleming: rebounding and taking care of the ball.
Last season, the Bonnies turned the ball over 504 times.
“Number one, we need to take care of the ball,” Fleming said. “We did good things, but then there were times we’d give teams points off of turnovers. We want to rebound and play better defense. It sounds like coach speak, but it’s real.”
He said, “We lost by about six points per game last year, and if you do the math, we were probably giving away six points or more by turning the ball over and another four on not being able to rebound. If we start to clean that up, we’ll be in more games.”
And Fleming’s right. His team came close to some impressive wins. This year, it’s all about finishing.
“We had VCU beat. We had an open 3-point shot with a minute to go against Fordham, who went to the tournament,” Fleming said. “There’s no reason why we can’t be competitive in every game.”
By Mike Hogan, Managing Editor
hoganm17@bonaventure.edu
