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Gone are the household names for Gonzaga Women's basketball fans and here are the names fans will come to know during 2005-06 and beyond. The following is a brief rundown on each new Lady Zag and how she is doing thus far.
Newcomers:
6'2" F Simone Santos played two years at Western Nebraska CC, and starred as their leading scorer. WNCC was ranked top-5 in the nation. She was a late addition to Kelly Graves' team, but did he ever strike gold. Since arriving at Gonzaga, Simone has displayed nifty post skills, a solid scoring touch from mid-range in, an ability to run the floor like a deer and a high basketball IQ. She is very quick around the hoop and has a high release. The only team mate that can get a hand on her shot is 6'4" Stephanie Hawk. Not a physical banger, she relies on finesse and speed. Look for Santos to make an immediate impact for the ladies and vye for conference honors.
5'8" Sasha Polishchuck is a capable point guard who is gaining confidence by the day. She has excellent handles and is a good outside shooter with the ability to drive inside and make things happen. Thus far Sasha is more of a distributer than a shooter, and that's fine. She has all the talent to do both very well and, with experience (which will improve decision-making), Sasha should develop into a solid, steady floor general. She plays hard, and that's a big plus. Whether she is ready to run the point will depend on how fast she learns the system and how healthy other point guard candidates are. GUnation.com likes her game, though.
5'11" Jami Bjorklund has that look about her. She is adapting her game to the college level, evidenced by getting her mid-range shot off with it being blocked less and less. A fierce competitor, one senses she's playing "nice" until real practice begins October 15, then when the opponent is not her own team mates. Jami is tough inside, adept at hitting any basket inside the arc, and a sticky defender, though pickup games are hardly a good barometer for defense. She runs the court well and plays hard every minute. She plays "strong." Look for the local U-High graduate to be in the primary rotation early on.
6'1" Maria Hassett is the most deceiving new Zag of them all. At first glance one might not be overly impressed. But as the minutes go by she begins to hit mid-range shots, she starts finishing fast breaks, she rips down rebounds, and by the end of the day comparisons to Ashley Burke can be made. Maria is not flashy, not the fastest athlete up and down the court, but she is so fundamentally sound and smart enough to play within herself that she ends up impressing as much as anyone. She is a very pleasant surprise, and perhaps more than any newcomer, is proof and confirmation of Coach Kelly Graves' keen eye for talent. One thing is certain about Hassett: she will have a solid, productive career at Gonzaga when all is said and done four years from now.
The newcomers are diverse in many ways, from a local star to a Brazilian standout to a Canadian of Russian descent, from a point guard to small forward and post players. They will be fun to watch and keep providing a recipe for success at Gonzaga.
But they will have to compete for playing time against such great veterans as Anne Bailey, Stephanie Hawk, Julian Laney, Rachel Kane, Ashley Anderson, Katie Prichard, Katy Ridenour and more. It won't be easy, but it will guarantee the most important thing of all: A GREAT TEAM.