Early look Shox Hoops

[oldtimewomen's hoopcoach]

I know it is very early with many uncertainties and we probably don't have the same enthusiasm as we did last Spring, but thought I'd throw out some thoughts and observations prior to any potential Spring signings. I've seen part of a practice once and prefer to be supportive and not read like a grouchy old negative guy, but first impression is we need A LOT of help. Unless our recruits and transfers turn into Alex, Kelsey and JB, we're in for some major rebuilding, maybe a .500 team. I hope I am very wrong, we get some players and Jody coaches them up, but I don't see it yet. I'll report later, when I have seen and heard more. Though Alie and Dap have nice games they are not "take over the game" players and need quality teammates to shine. As always time will tell and I hope I have a complete turn around. Go Shox!

[1972Shocker]

I expect we will take a step backwards next year. We are losing the heart and soul of this year's team. There is so much uncertainty surrounding next year's team it is just very difficult to make any kind of reasonably informed prediction on how much of a decline we will see.

Basically, we have 3 players returning next year that have any significant D-1 experience. Michaela Dapprich who can be very effective at times and Alie Decker is a 3-point specialist. Michaela, at 5-10, tended to get into foul trouble trying to guard much bigger post players. Jaleesa Chapel came on pretty strong late in the season although she needs to prove she can sustain that.

Whether or not any of the other 4 returning players, Brittany Martin, Moriah Dapprich, Kayla White or Aundra Stovall will be able to play a more prominent role is pretty much anyone's guess at this point.

Jody has spoken very highly of her two D-1 transfers, Diamond Lockhart and Rangie Bessard, but you reported that Diamond recently tore her ACL and Rangie will not be eligible until 2nd semester next year. Not sure when Diamond will be able to play but she seemed to be the heir apparent at the point guard position which is kind of important.

I think Jody likes her incoming freshmen class as well but you just never know how the transition from high school ball to college ball will go. There no doubt will be some type of learning curve for these three ladies. 6-0 Jyar Francis would seem to be the plum of this recruiting class but 6-1 Sabrina Lozada-Cabbage and 6-2 Ellie Lehne sound pretty good as well.

Who we sign from the Juco ranks will also be very important. That, of course, is a total unknown at this point.

What we do know is the Shockers thrive on their aggressive defense and that Alex, Jamillah and Kelsey were the primary drivers of the Shocks defense the last 2 years. We also know that Alex was probably best all-around player to ever play for the Shocker women. Alex made all of her teammates better with her presence on the court.

I'm thinking MSU, DU, UNI, SIU will finish ahead of the Shockers next year in the Valley. So the Shocks may well be playing for 5th place. Could they be playing on Thursday in the Quad Cities? Maybe. How they do in non-conference play will largely depend on the schedule. This might be a year where you don't want to overwhelm an inexperienced team. We do have Tennessee at home but outside of that I'm not sure what the schedule will look like.

Just so many questions and unknowns with so few obvious answers at this point to feel very confident about any prediction on how the team will fare next year. The main thing I will be looking for next year will be growth and development during the year. Because of all the uncertainty and unknowns surrounding the team the possibility for exceeding my expectations is certainly there.

It will be interesting and, hopefully, entertaining to see how Jody does in what is clearly a rebuilding year.

[wusphlash]

Jody has spoken very highly of her two D-1 transfers, Diamond Lockhart and Rangie Bessard, but you reported that Diamond recently tore her ACL and Rangie will not be eligible until 2nd semester next year. Not sure when Diamond will be able to play but she seemed to be the heir apparent at the point guard position which is kind of important.

When did this happene? That will certainly set us back next season.

It will be interesting and, hopefully, entertaining to see how Jody does in what is clearly a rebuilding year.

How long til we're sure there isn't another opportunity somewhere out there for Jody?

[1972Shocker]

How long til we're sure there isn't another opportunity somewhere out there for Jody?

I have no idea. I think KU's job is still open. Georgia's head coach, Andy Landers, retired after 36 years as the only women's head coach in Georgia's history.

Last I heard is that KU's AD has narrowed his list to 15 candidates from an initial list of 60 as of last Thursday. That doesn't tell us much.

I would think that Georgia would be pretty attractive to Jody considering it is only 180 miles from her hometown. Whether or not there is any interest in Jody by Georgia I could not say. Nor do I know for sure that Jody would be interested in this opening. But this would be the one I am most concerned about at this point.

These are the only openings I am aware of that might be attractive to Jody. I believe Colorado State, Air Force, and Rice have job openings but I see these as sideways moves at best.

[shockerFan72]

Its obvious the two main factors of the team is Alex as a player and a leader, and how low the competition and talent has been in the Valley for the past few years, very "low". I do not see any "enlightenment" on Jody's coaching talents at all. She is very fortunate to have those two factors fall in line for her. Thank you for the leadership Alex. As for next year, I have faith in Dap and Aly, they have both had their share of tenure and experience. These young ladies represent our team well.

[oldtimewomen's hoopcoach]

Its obvious the two main factors of the team is Alex as a player and a leader, and how low the competition and talent has been in the Valley for the past few years, very "low". I do not see any "enlightenment" on Jody's coaching talents at all. She is very fortunate to have those two factors fall in line for her. Thank you for the leadership Alex. As for next year, I have faith in Dap and Aly, they have both had their share of tenure and experience. These young ladies represent our team well.

HCJA was very fortunate to have Coach Guffey as her recruiter who brought in Jaz, Chynna, Jessie, and others like Crystal who left for Texas and of course Alex. Kelsey was luck as the Eagle article demonstrated with Kelsey's Dad bringing her to a WSU camp. Guffey also brought in Alie. Since then, not so good. Those who have left the program and graduated typically are not glowing about their experience, so I beleive this has an impact on recruiting and HCJA chances for a step up in her coaching career. As I have said many times. This program is not for the feint of heart; which has been good for our wins and for those who could survive it, such as Kelsey who is the only one who survived from her recruiting class which included Crystal and not so good for recruiting as the insanely tough reputation of the program and very demanding coach is not for everyone. Time will tell as always.

[1972Shocker]

The Georgia job has been filled with the promotion of one of the assistants from the current staff.

http://www.ajc.com/news/sports/college/uga-names-landers-successor-as-womens-basketball-c/nkr8P/

[luvthoseshox]

I read on another site that HCJA has an interview at KU today.

[1972Shocker]

I read on another site that HCJA has an interview at KU today.

According to this website Jody is one of the 3 finalist for the KU job.

http://www.swishappeal.com/2015/4/16/8427609/kansas-search-update-ualrs-joe-foley-and-wichita-states-jody-adams-interview

Personally I would install UALR's Foley as the favorite to land this job. However, Jody may have a small built-in advantage over the other two guys because some AD's prefer to hire women to head women's programs. Not sure if that is the case with KU.

It's also possible that Jody is the "token" female in the final group to insure at least the appearance of diversity and concern with fairness to women in their process.

The article said this could be announced as early as this weekend.

[1972Shocker]

If Jody is going leave this would be a good time for her because she may never be as hot as a coaching commodity than she is right now.

Next season definitely looks like a major rebuild will be in place and it may not be that easy to get back to the top of the MVC hill.

[1972Shocker]

With all the turmoil swirling around the program at this point any projections about how the Lady Shocks will fare next year are pretty much in limbo and impossible to make.

A first to worst result has to be on the table at this point but there are some really bad teams in the Valley and we will have to wait and see if Jody is still around and how recruiting goes if she is.

Not sure much of an assessment can be made until we see the team in action at next fall's Shocker Madness.

[1972Shocker]

Doesn't look like the Shocks will be the worst team in the league next year unless they simply can't field a team. Illinois State has 6 players transferring off of a 2-28 team.

OTOH, when you have players transferring off of a 2-28 team maybe you will be better although combined with losing their best player to graduation Illinois State will lose 4 of their 5 top scorers.

[tgcshock]

Doesn't look like the Shocks will be the worst team in the league next year unless they simply can't field a team. Illinois State has 6 players transferring off of a 2-28 team.

OTOH, when you have players transferring off of a 2-28 team maybe you will be better although combined with losing their best player to graduation Illinois State will lose 4 of their 5 top scorers.

The weird thing is that compared to Jody (and some other Valley coaches) Smith came across as a warm person and a supportive coach even when they were struggling. I know losing at that rate must suck but I would not have expected 6 departures. I guess you never know.

[1972Shocker]

The weird thing is that compared to Jody (and some other Valley coaches) Smith came across as a warm person and a supportive coach even when they were struggling. I know losing at that rate must suck but I would not have expected 6 departures. I guess you never know.

I do not know the reasons for the transfers. 3 of them did not play a whole lot. If your not getting much playing time on a 2-28 team you might want to consider trying D-II to see if that is a better fit. The other 3 ladies I think were okay players. In fact, Lindsay Smith had transferred to Illinois State after playing her freshman year at Wisconsin.

[1972Shocker]

Loyola has 5 players transferring. The Lady Ramblers were 6-25 (3-15 MVC) last year.

http://www.loyolaphoenix.com/five-players-leave-womens-basketball-program

Simone Law who will have her degree is transferring to Illinois as a grad student for her final year of eligibility. She was one of Loyola's top 2 players. Not sure about the other 4. Do you really have many top players on a team that goes 3-15 in the Valley? Taylor Manuel did make the 10-player All-Conference team. Beyond her and Law I don't think they had much.