Women’s Basketball: Panthers will be lead by strong senior class

The transfer of three Panther players, including one starter, could have sent a negative message… The transfer of three Panther players, including one starter, could have sent a negative message to the Pitt team, prompting the remaining roster members to question the future success of the team.

However, despite the departure of Kate Popovec, Sarah Ogoke, and staring center Shawnice “Pepper” Wilson, the Panthers will look to returning players for leadership and to new recruits for fresh talent.

Wilson, who played at Pitt for two years, will transfer to Miami to join the Hurricanes, although she will sit out for one year due to NCAA regulations.

Wilson said that she “loved the Pitt team and coaches dearly,” but was ready for a change and that the disappointments of the season – which saw the Panthers only win 5 Big Easat games – had nothing to do with her decision.

The Pitt women’s basketball program has been on the rise for the past five years, earning its first NCAA Tournament berth in 2007 and following that with two consecutive Sweet Sixteen appearances.

Yet, the Panthers failed to make the dance this past season and lost in the first round of the NIT tournament.

Part of the reason for this slight lapse may have been the lack of senior presence on and off the court. Head coach Agnus Berenato, who came to Pitt in 2003, noted the value of veteran leadership for a successful basketball team.

“In previous years, we have had seniors who could lead,” Berenato said.  “But this past year, with no such seniors, it was difficult to generate that level of experience.”

Such an explanation will not be available in the upcoming season because this season’s team will have six seniors.

Among those six veterans are forward Chelsea Cole and guard Jania Sims, both named to last year’s Big East Honorable Mention Team.

Cole led the entire Big East in rebounding while Sims earned the highest scoring percentage for the Panthers.

According to Berenato, Cole and Sims have set a standard for the Pitt team as they progress into a new season.

“It was great seeing Cole and Sims on that Honorable Mention team, especially since we did not have any players nominated in the preseason,” Berenato said.  “It shows the improvement that we hope to see in the upcoming season.”

Also looking to make an impact in the 2010-2011 season is senior guard Brittaney Thomas.

Last season, Thomas earned a place in the starting lineup with her tireless effort to improve her game.

“Brittaney works incredibly hard in practice and that showed in her play on the court,” Berenato said.  “She has been a bright spot for this team and her future here is just as bright.”

In the closing games of the season, Thomas posted double-digit scoring performances in five of six contests.

Two more starters will return to the Panthers as seniors, as guards Taneisha Harrison and Shayla Scott hope to build on the success they had in the previous season.

Harrison and Scott ended the past season with scoring averages in the double-digit range and the pair led the Panthers in successful three-point shots.

Finally, the Panthers will welcome back Selena Nwude as a senior center.

Although Nwude experienced reduced playing time due to her recovery from a 2008 knee injury, she will be a 6’5’’ presence in the paint for the Panthers.

The senior leadership and experience seems to be in place for the Panthers, as does the addition of new recruits with explosive talent.

Perhaps the most exciting offseason move involves the commitment of Yasmin Fuller, a combo guard from Seattle.

Fuller was a McDonald’s All-American nominee in her senior year of high school and was ranked as the 141st overall prospect by the All-Star Girls Report.

In addition to possessing athletic skill as a basketball player, Fuller also considers herself a good fit in the Pitt program.

“I love this team,” Fuller said after a visit to the Pitt facilities in the spring. “The coaching staff felt like moms to me and all the players were great.”

Berenato echoed those sentiments of her new freshman and went on to anticipate Fuller’s potential impact on the 2010-2011 team.

“She had great chemistry with our team and staff and I look forward to coaching her on and off the court,” Berenato said.

“Yasmin is a great 3-point shooter, and is not afraid to establish herself as an off-guard rebounder. She will give us depth and diversity at our guard position on a daily basis.”

Fuller will be joined by earlier recruits Kyra Dunn, Marquel Davis, and Asia Logan in a freshman class that looks to complement the experienced play of the returning seniors.

“I am really excited about the freshman class and what they will bring to the University of Pittsburgh,” Berenato said. “All four of these women have tremendous work ethics and know how to elevate their team to a higher level.”