Season Recap
The 2005-2006 women’s basketball season was one of transition under the guidance of first year head coach, J.D. Gravina.
With four of its top five scorers and over 60% of its total scoring from the previous season gone, Gravina knew the Lady Bulldogs were going to have stay in games with their defense and hope the offense would come around as the season progressed.
After losing its first four games by an average of 18.5 points per game, the Lady Bulldogs gave Gravina his first collegiate win with a 64-56 win over crosstown rival Central Christian College.
After another 23-point non-conference loss, the Bulldogs opened the conference portion of their schedule with six straight losses, but only in loses to nationally ranked foes were the Bulldogs blown out.
After disappointing road losses to KWU and Saint Mary, the Lady Bulldogs finally got back on track with back-to-back home wins over Bethel College and Southwestern Christian University.
Now ready to wrap up its first round and begin its second trip through the conference, the Bulldogs again had to face the teams, back-to-back-to-back, sitting in the top seven places of the KCAC standings.
“Nobody did us any favors setting our schedule up like they did. What a brutal start each round to the conference schedule.”
Again, the Lady Bulldogs struggled offensively against the nationally ranked teams, but their games against the lower half of the conference were all winnable. The final two weeks of the regular season saw McPherson put together a 3-game win streak, with victories over Kansas Wesleyan, Saint Mary and Bethel, before losing its season finale at Bethany.
But, their 4-14 conference record was good enough for 8th place and a home game in the play-in round of the KCAC post-season tournament.
After splitting games with Saint Mary during the regular season, the Lady Bulldogs pulled out a 66-64 win in the play-in to advance to the quarterfinals of the tournament where they met, and saw their season ended by, #4 nationally ranked Tabor College.
“We feel like we’re making steps in the right direction. We knew this was going to be a learning process, both for me as a first year collegiate coach and the girls in adjusting to me and what I wanted them to do on the court. But, even through the losing streaks, the girls came to every practice and game with a positive attitude and the desire to get better.”
“We would have liked to have won more games for our seniors, but our younger girls are ready to go to work and begin preparing for next season.”
Angelina Fiorenzi was the only Lady Bulldog to received KCAC post-season honors. The freshman from Bishop, Texas, was named to the All-KCAC All-Freshman squad after averaging 6.9 points and 4.6 rebounds and picking up a team high 19 blocked shots.
Other top returners for 2006-2007 should be April Woody, who led McPherson in scoring, at 12.9 points per game, and pulled down 4.1 rebounds; Abby Suiter, 3.1 points, 1.5 rebounds, 44 steals; Sheila Bevan, 5.3 points, 3.2 rebounds; Jamie Harvey, 4.9 points, 4.3 rebounds; Chandra Mayhan, 1.6 points.
Amy Porter, Callie Coberly, and Renee Hall saw action in six to 10 varsity contests, but should see additional varsity time next season with the further development of their game.
Four seniors have completed their eligibility and will be graduating this spring. They are, April Bryley, who averaged 4.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, and was the Lady Bulldogs’ team leader in steals with 64 and assists with 92; Christa Blose, 7.2 points, 2.3 rebounds; Crystal Thomas, 6.4 points, 1.4 rebounds, and converted a team high 94% of her free throws; Ashley Kline, who led McPherson with a team high 6.1 rebounds, and scored 4.4 points per game.
Season highlights – Single game records
Free Throws Made – 16 April Woody @ Bethel College (16 of 19) 2/16/06
Free Throws Attempted – 19 April Woody @ Bethel College (16 of 19) 2/16/06
Most Assists – 12 April Bryley @ U of Saint Mary 1/12/06
Most Steals (tied) – 7 April Bryley @ Bethel College 2/16/06
Crystal Thomas will graduate as one of the best free throw shooters in Lady Bulldog history, but she lacked the necessary 1.5 attempts per game. Her marks were:
Best
Single Season Free Throw Percentage – 94.4% (17/18 in 26 games) Crystal Thomas
Career Free Throw Percentage – 84.8% (28/33 in 55 games) Crystal Thomas (2005-2006)
