COACH BUTLER ANALYZES UDC WOMEN’S BASKETBALL SEASON
The UDC Women's basketball season ended with a 2 and 1 record in the National Independent Classic (hosted by UDC in the Sports Complex – February 25-26-27), a 19 and 9 slate overall, and 78 wins in the last 4 seasons. Overall, good work and a successful 2010-11 campaign. But the Firebird women have their sights set on getting back to the NCAA tournament. Coach Jay Butler recently weighed in on this past season.
"Overall we had a successful season; I was pleased with the addition of 9 new players and only 5 returning players", the coach commented. "We were still able to be a force in the Atlantic Region. I was really pleased with our defense as well. We were fortunate to finish in the top ten in the nation in two statistical defensive categories."
Of the five returning players, no one stood out more than Senior Lillian McGill, the 6-0 forceful post from Sumter, SC. She had another great year, grabbing 11.1 rebs per contest, shooting 49% from the field and finishing with 12.6 ppg. "Lillian has been the face of the Firebirds for the last four years", Coach Butler said. "Her leadership and her talents will be hard to replace. Her contributions were immeasurable…she will be truly missed".
During the course of the year, the Firebirds would run their 2-2-1 zone press and get back into a pesky match-up zone, causing their opponents to turn the ball over 721 times. Usually one of the guards at the top of that pressure was Jasmine Rich, a 5-7 point guard from Willingboro, NJ. She had 65 steals for the year (2nd on the squad), while averaging 4.0 ppg. Rich will be a welcome sight in next year's backcourt as she is also the returning assist leader with 148 total in 28 games for 2010-2011. "Jasmine has continued her improvement as our primary floor leader. She ranked in the top 20 in the nation in assists this past season and I look forward to her having a strong senior campaign", Butler said.
Another returning player that will be counted on for next year is Junior post Dohnay Banice, from Wilmington, DE. She shot 50% from the field and made 5.7 ppg., while averaging 5.2 rpg. "Dohnay Banice had a very impressive season after being moved into the starting lineup midway through", Coach Butler recounted. "Her toughness and her ability to rebound made her a major contributor and my expectations are high for her as a senior".
UDC had a few impressive statistics this year. They forced 423 steals on defense (only had the ball stolen from them 261 times) and overall forced 721 TO's. The opposition was held to 35% shooting. Finally, the Firebirds out rebounded the other teams by 42.6 rpg to 36.6. The squad will have to collectively rebound better in 2011-12 with McGill gone, but is ready to do that the coach said.
" I would like to thank Pat Thomas ( Director of Athletics at UDC ) and the senior staff for their help with running the Independent Classic and their assistance all year long", said coach. "Overall, recruiting is going great and we have a good nucleus returning. I feel we can make a run at another winning season and an NCAA bid next year".
Jay Butler has a led his team to 78 victories in the last four years with one NCAA bid during that time. He truly feels that the 2011-12 edition of the women's basketball team can do better next year. The positive mix of an experienced head coach and a battle tested team gives him and the Firebirds a tremendous chance to do just that. UDC fans will yet have another reason to come to the Sports Complex and watch exciting basketball in 2011-12.