Experienced UMKC women’s basketball team ready to write its story

The women’s basketball team at UMKC is full of players who have come of age, and the stage is set for them to decide what their contributions to the program will be.

Legendary martial artist Bruce Lee was once quoted saying “to hell with circumstances, I create opportunities.” That struggle to create opportunities in the midst of its circumstances could be the narrative of the UMKC women’s basketball team for the 2017-18 season, which begins on Friday, November 10th in a non-conference game at Western Illinois University.

Before a discussion can be had about where the Roos are going, it’s necessary to understand where they have come from. The 2016-17 season saw UMKC go 10-19 overall, 4-10 in the Western Athletic Conference, and the end of then-head coach Marsha Frese’s five-year tenure.

The stat sheet from last season has several items that can’t be overlooked. As a team, the Roos shot under 70 percent from the free-throw line, and had a negative turnover-to-assist ratio. The Roos did out-rebound their opponents for the season, however, and another year of experience has produced a roster for the approaching season which features one redshirt senior, six true seniors and two redshirt juniors.

The offseason brought the hire of former Kansas State assistant and Hoxie, Kansas native Jacie Hoyt as the program’s tenth head coach. A new hire at the head coach position always brings enthusiasm to a program, and Hoyt is resplendent with the excitement of being a head coach for the first time in her career.

"“There have been a few transition moments in going from being an assistant to a head coach in terms of the number of responsibilities and decisions that you have to make on a daily basis,” Hoyt said."

In the few weeks since the team officially began practice, the team has also displayed its excitement for the opportunity to improve that Hoyt brings. Senior guard Samantha Waldron, who led the team in scoring last season, spoke on that issue.

"“Getting used to the new flow and the new offense that we have has been a matter of getting into a rhythm,” Waldron commented. “It’s a good balance because we have a lot of mature players who have a lot of basketball knowledge. We have worked together to fix things when we or she [Coach Hoyt] doesn’t like something.”"

The returning contingent of players who were major contributors last season only begins with Waldron. Forwards senior Kiana Law and redshirt junior Kristen Moore, who tied for the team lead in rebounds per game last season, are both back on the court. Moore also averaged 11.1 points per contest to place her just behind Waldron’s 11.7 points per game.

Redshirt senior guard India Johnson was second on the team in assists with 55, and senior center Paige Husa was second on the team with 11 blocks. Of the returning players who saw major action last season, senior guard Aries Washington recorded the second-highest field goal percentage on the team.

Senior guard Sierra Bone only saw action in three games last season, and redshirt junior guard Janee Arnold used that redshirt in 2016-17. Beyond that contingent of players, the roster has two sophomores who saw a combined 146 minutes in their first collegiate seasons, and two freshmen. That lack of experience beyond the players mentioned above has Hoyt concerned about the team’s depth.

"“We are really senior-heavy,” Hoyt explained. “Our underclassmen don’t have a lot of experience. Staying healthy has been somewhat of a challenge. They have been in a system that has been somewhat different than what I’m trying to do, so trying to re-train their minds has been a challenge at times.”"

Part of what Hoyt is referring to in terms of system can be seen through how much of the offense went through Waldron last season. Waldron attempted 64 more field goals and 93 more 3-point shots than anyone else on the roster last season. Hoyt’s new offense will likely address that along with the turnover issue.

"“We have tremendous size in the post,” Hoyt elaborated. “We are really excited about utilizing Kiana and Kristen. We think that we can do a lot with them. Aries had a great practice today. Utilizing our pieces and building on the chemistry that already exists is going to be important.”"

While the distribution on offense may improve, that doesn’t mean that WAC All-Conference preseason pick Waldron isn’t going to do all she can to retain her team lead in scoring. To the contrary, she may be even more effective in her opportunities.

"“I was recovering from a couple of injuries,” Waldron stated. “But I was working on my ball-handling and my shot, especially being able to go from both my right and left hands.”"

With more touches, it may be possible for the Roos’ other All-WAC preseason honoree Moore to average a double-double in 2017-18. Considering UMKC’s size (Bone, Husa, Law, freshman Taylor Larson, Moore, sophomore Bri Stiers and Waldron are all at least 5’10”) and the athleticism that the team has, both Hoyt and Waldron are optimistic about the team’s chances in the WAC this season.

"“Hard work is hard work no matter what level you are playing at,” Hoyt expressed. “My expectations are the same regardless. Anytime you can win a game at this level, you are thankful for that. The conference has a lot of new faces, and our top five, I would put up against anyone else in the conference.”“We go hard through everything and we hope that carries over,” Waldron added. “We are passionate and unified.”"

It’s this season that every team in college basketball is focused on right now, but when almost half of the roster is sure to not return as players for 2018-19, that puts special emphasis on 2017-18.

"“I get to challenge these seniors,” said Hoyt. “I remind them that this is their last shot. I put the ball in their court and tell them that they have an opportunity to leave a mark on the program. They have a shot to do something special.”“Day by day we are getting better,” Waldron affirmed. “We hope to not have any days when we get worse or stay the same. We have a lot of people on the team that can step up.”"

Because of that urgency, Waldron said that the goal for the team this year is winning the WAC tournament and Hoyt feels the conference is wide open. If the Roos can run the new offense well while taking advantage of their size on both ends of the court, they stand a good chance to realize that goal.

Next: Kansas City Chiefs: 15 players to target at trade deadline

When the Roos take the court at UMKC for an exhibition against William Jewell College on Saturday, Nov. 4, it will be the beginning of the penultimate chapter for the book on many of these players. If they heed the words of English philosopher Sir Francis Bacon, they will make more opportunities than their circumstances find for them.