Team will change philosophy

The front cover of the 2003-04 Pitt Women’s Basketball Media Guide says everything you need… The front cover of the 2003-04 Pitt Women’s Basketball Media Guide says everything you need to know about this year’s team — Pitt’s new head coach Agnus Berenato brings a new attitude.

‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ The front cover features seniors Latoya Kincaid, Sheila Stufflet, and Stacy Moore with Berenato posed in an intimidating fashion with arms crossed and eyes narrowed. While this year’s lineup may not compare with past teams as far as experience is concerned, Berenato is excited about the scrappiness of her squad.

‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘We’ll work hard,’ Berenato said. ‘We’ll leave it all on the court.’

‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ Berenato stressed that her team would play a style of basketball that emphasized the fast break and featured a hard-nosed defense.

‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ Junior guard Amy Kunich is the Panthers only returning starter from last season. Kunich averaged 6.9 points per game and 3.9 assists per game last year at point guard.

‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘Somebody is going to have to fill a lot of minutes,’ Berenato said.

‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ Competing for those minutes will be senior co-captains Kincaid, Stufflet, and Moore. In addition to returning junior Allisha Morris, sophomores Jessica Allen, Shavon Earp, Katie Histed, Bridget Larkin, and Cheron Taylor will also be in the mix. Berenato is also enthusiastic about the freshman class, which includes Jennifer Brown, Aieshya Dixon, Brooke Hughes, and Danielle Taylor.

‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘[Brown] really has a bright future ahead of her,’ Berenato said. ‘All the freshmen are a great group of young ladies.’

‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ Kincaid was also impressed with the freshman class.

‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘All the freshmen are very talented,’ Kincaid said. ‘They’re going to add a lot to our game.’

‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ Pitt started its season Saturday morning with a series of 20-minute scrimmages following the conclusion of its annual Midnight Madness festivities. At the festivities, the women’s Gold team defeated the women’s Blue team 8-6.

‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ Afterward, Hughes teamed up with fellow freshmen Dante Milligan of the Men’s basketball team to win the three-point contest with a combined score of 13 three-pointers in 90 seconds.

‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ While Berenato hopes to win several games this year, she also has several off-court goals, as well.

‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘My expectations are to develop a winning attitude,’ Berenato said. ‘How you walk, how you dress, and how you prepare are all keys to success.’

‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘This is not a sprint. This is a marathon, and we’re in this for several years,’ Berenato added.

‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ Berenato is excited to start her first season as the Panthers head coach. Additionally, Berenato praised the PetersenEventsCenter as one of the finest in college basketball.

‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘The PetersenEventsCenter is magnificent,’ Berenato said. ‘It’s mind-boggling.

To quote Dick Vitale, it’s one of the best,’ Berenato added.

‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ While Berenato loves the Pete, she believes that other factors contributed in bringing her to Pitt.

‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘What attracted me was the people,’ Berenato said. ‘Everybody is so committed.

‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ I’m really appreciative of the opportunity to be here,’

‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ Apparently, Berenato’s players are equally as happy to have her as their new head coach.

‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘[Berenato] is wonderful,’ Kincaid added. ‘She’s a good coach.’

‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ The Panthers open their season against CoppinState at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 25 at the Pete.