Women's Basketball

Faraudo: 2019-20 WBB Recap

By Jeff Faraudo
#WCChoops Columnist | ARCHIVES

Gonzaga won its fourth straight West Coast Conference regular-season women’s basketball crown this season, outdistancing the field by four games in the final standings.

For the second straight year, however, the Zags couldn’t put the cherry on top with a win in the WCC tournament. They made it to the NCAA tournament in 2019 anyway, and they would have joined WCC automatic qualifier Portland in this year’s Big Dance, except the event never came off.

While the COVID-19 virus wiped out the NCAA tournament, it certainly did not signal a changing of the guard in the WCC. Portland played a splendid WCC tournament but Gonzaga remains the team to beat, and that appears to be the case next season, as well.

The WCC does look like it will be deeper a year from now. Portland is young and talented. BYU likely will improve. Pacific returns two first-team All-WCC picks. And even the teams at the bottom of the conference standings — San Francisco and Loyola Marymount — appear positioned to make progress in 2020-21.

Without further delay, here are my season-ending awards. Note: These do not necessarily line up with what the WCC coaches determined: 

ALL-WCC FIRST TEAM: Jill Townsend, Gonzaga; Valerie Higgins, Pacific; Alex Fowler & Haylee Andrews, Portland; Barbara Sitanggan, Pepperdine.

ALL-WCC SECOND TEAM: Jenn Wirth & Katie Campbell, Gonzaga; Myah Pace, San Diego; Paisley Johnson, BYU; Brooklyn McDavid, Pacific.

ALL-UNDERRATED: Leilah Vigil & Mikalyla Williams, USF; Hannah Friend, Pepperdine; Sam Simons, Saint Mary’s; Tia Hay, Santa Clara.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Alex Fowler, Portland. Led the WCC in scoring, was fourth in rebounding and was MVP of the conference tournament after leading her team to the title. Need I say more?

NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR: Alex Fowler, Portland. See above for the credentials of the freshman forward from Townsville, Australia.

MOST ENTERTAINING PLAYER: Valerie Higgins, Pacific. No player in the WCC has a better grasp on the total game than the junior guard, who scores, rebounds, involves her teammates and led the conference in steals two seasons in a row, each year with exactly 99.

COACH OF THE YEAR: Michael Meek, Portland. The Pilots, who were 15-75 in WCC play the previous five seasons and picked to finish last this season, wound up fourth in the regular season and won the WCC tournament to claim an automatic NCAA tournament bid that was nullified by the COVID-19 outbreak.

RETURNING PLAYER WHO WILL BLOSSOM: Shaylee Gonzales, BYU. The sophomore point guard won WCC Newcomer of the Year honors in 2019, then tore her ACL last July. She can be a difference-maker for the Cougars.

GAME OF THE YEAR: Portland had dropped 23 consecutive games to Gonzaga when the Pilots faced the top-seeded Bulldogs in the WCC tournament semifinals. It didn’t look good for Portland when the Zags zoomed to a 29-9 lead, but Haylee Andrews’ 10-foot shot with 3.6 seconds left capped an improbable comeback in a 70-69 win.

And now, a team-by-team review of this season and peek forward (arranged in order of finish this season): 

GONZAGA
2019-20 Record/finish: 28-3 overall, 17-1/1st in WCC

Season summary: A year after upsetting Stanford in Spokane, the Zags ventured to the Bay Area in November and took the Cardinal to overtime before falling 76-70. That was the only blemish on their non-conference record, and Gonzaga won its first 12 WCC games before Saint Mary’s shot a blistering 14-for-21 on threes to post a win at Moraga. The Zags, who had reached No. 11 in the AP Top-25 poll, improved to 28-2 overall with a win at Portland in their regular-season finale. A week later, having already realistically locked up an NCAA bid, the Zags were upset by Portland in the WCC tournament semifinals. 

Stat that matters: Gonzaga, which led the WCC in scoring defense by  allowing just 51.9 points per game, held 25 of their 31 opponents to 55 points or fewer. 

Top returning players: It’s a strong group, led by WCC Player of the Year Jill Townsend (12.3 points, 5.6 rebounds), who returns for her senior season. Also back is All-WCC pick Jenn Wirth (10.8 points, 6.9 rebounds) and her twin sister LeeAnne Wirth (8.7 points, 4.7 rebounds) and late-season starter Kayleigh Truong (6.0 points, 2.7 assists). Forward Melody Kempton (7.0 points, 4.7 rebounds) provided a consistent lift off the bench. 

Key losses: Gone is senior forward Katie Campbell (11.0 points), who  was relegated to the All-WCC second team perhaps only because she suffered a late-season knee injury. Also departing is guard Jesse Loera (7.5 points, 4.8 assists).

What to expect next season: Gonzaga is the four-time defending WCC regular-season champ and there is no reason to expect anything less next season. The talent well deepens with the addition of transfer guard Cierra Walker, who averaged 10.8 points and made 70 3-pointers at Vanderbilt in 2018-19. A strong three-player recruiting class features four-star McKayla Williams, a 6-1 guard from Los Angeles, along with Canadians Lily Scanlon and Yvonne Ejim. The Zags play the best defense in the conference, enjoy the toughest home-court advantage and will feature a strong core of players accustomed to winning.


SAN DIEGO
2019-20 Record/finish: 20-11 overall, 13-5/tied 2nd in WCC

Season summary: The Toreros beat crosstown rival San Diego State but entered WCC play with just a 6-5 record. USD lost two of its first three conference games then ran off nine wins in a stretch of 10 outings to eventually secure the No. 2 seed into the conference tournament. They handled Pepperdine in the WCC semifinals before losing to red-hot Portland 64-63 in overtime in the title game.

Stat that matters: San Diego finished in a tie for second place thanks to its ability to win the close games. The Toreros claimed 11 victories in games decided by eight points or fewer.

Top returning players: All-WCC guard Myah Pace (11.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists) will be back for her senior season, along with Jordyn Edwards (10.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists), her second-team all-conference  backcourt mate. Junior guard Sydney Hunter (7.5 points, 3.5 rebounds) could play a larger role going forward.

Key losses: The Toreros bid farewell to three seniors who made significant contributions. Gone are All-WCC honorable mention center Letitia Soares (9.7 points, 4.7 rebounds), guard Madison Pollock (9.5 points, 6.0 rebounds) and forward Patricia Brossman (5.8 points, 6.8 rebounds).

What to expect next season: WCC Coach of the Year Cindy Fisher must replace her three leading rebounders on a team that ranked third in the conference in rebounding margin. Incoming freshman center Laura Erikstrup could lend a hand in that area, and another signee, guard Gabby Giuffre, could help improve 3-point shooting where USD ranked last in the WCC at barely 26 percent. Kendall Bird, Karla Martinez and Kiera Oakryall, all of whom were sidelined by knee injuries this season, should provide depth.


BYU
2019-20 Record/finish: 18-11 overall, 13-5/tied 2nd in WCC

Season summary: The Cougars opened with a 7-5 non-conference ledger that included four defeats to Pac-12 schools. They won twice on the road to open the WCC, then lost twice at home, including to Gonzaga. BYU finished strong, with five wins in its final six conference games, and showed mettle by posting a 6-3 road record in WCC play. The Cougs were bounced from the conference tournament after a loss to Pepperdine in the quarterfinals.

Stat that matters: BYU led the WCC and ranked third in the NCAA in blocked shots with 195 — 64 more than any other conference team. Sara Hamson swatted 137 of those opposing shots to rank No. 1 in the nation.

Top returning players: All-WCC guard Paisley Johnson (15.2 points, 3.8 rebounds) returns for her senior season, as does 6-foot-7 center Sara Hamson (7.0 points, 7.9 rebounds, 137 blocked shots), a two-time WCC Defensive Player of the Year. Hamson averaged 5.8 blocks in WCC play. Also returning is guard Maria Albiero (6.0 points, 3.2 assists).

Key losses: The Cougars say goodbye to a pair of seniors, All-WCC guard Brenna Chase Drollinger (12.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.3 assists) and forward Jasmine Moody (6.7 points, 4.3 rebounds). 

What to expect next season: Expect the Cougars to compete at the top of the conference next season after the return of 2019 WCC Newcomer of the Year Shaylee Gonzales (17.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.9 steals in 2018-19). Gonzales tore her ACL last July and missed all of this season. Besides the returnees, BYU will benefit from transfer forward Lauren Gustin, who averaged 19.1 points and 13.1 rebounds at Salt Lake CC this season and is the sister of Cleveland Browns defensive end Porter Gustin. Redshirt freshman forward Kyra Beckman, who had ACL surgery after an injury during her senior season, should provide rebounding and shooting.


PORTLAND
2019-20 Record/finish: 21-11 overall, 11-7/4th in WCC (WCC tournament champion)

Season summary: The Pilots enjoyed a dream season in coach Michael Meek’s debut. Picked last in the WCC, they finished fourth in the final standings before pulling off upsets of top-seeded Gonzaga and No. 2 San Diego to win their first WCC tournament crown since 1994. The only downside — the COVID-19 virus shutdown prevented them from enjoying their first trip to the NCAA tournament since 1997.

Stat that matters: The Pilots’ 70 points in their win over Gonzaga in the WCC tournament semifinals marked just the fifth time they’d reached that plateau in their past 46 meetings since the start of this century vs. the Zags. 

Top returning players: WCC tournament MVP Alex Fowler (18.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 55% field goal, 60 steals) was an All-WCC pick and Newcomer of the Year as a freshman. Her fellow Aussie Haylee Andrews (16.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, 5.5 assists) made winning plays in the Pilots’ two wins at the WCC tournament. Also back are junior guard Maddie Muhlheim (7.9 points), 6-foot-5 junior center Lauren Walker (4.9 points, 3.2 rebounds) and freshman forward Keeley Frawley (5.0 points, 4.5 rebounds).

Key losses: Senior guard Kate Andersen (13.8 points, 4.3 rebounds), an honorable mention All-WCC pick, is the Pilots’ only departing player of statistical significance.

What to expect next season: The Pilots should pick up where they left off at the WCC tournament and challenge Gonzaga, BYU and San Diego at the top of the conference. In addition to the 1-2 punch of Fowler and Andrews, the Pilots hope for a healthy Liana Kaitu’u (7.0 points, 4.5 rebounds), who played just six games as a sophomore before a season-ending knee injury. Twin sisters Jacksen and Tyler McCliment-Call, both guards, signed with the program in November.


PACIFIC
2019-20 Record/finish: 17-14 overall, 9-9/5th in WCC

Season summary: The Tigers opened the season 6-1 and trailed by just two points at halftime on the road vs. UCLA before succumbing. After dropping their WCC opener, they won four in a row, including at Portland. Pacific suffered back-to-back heartbreakers, losing by one point at Gonzaga, then in overtime vs. BYU. They won three of four games before losing to Portland in the WCC tournament quarterfinals.

Stat that matters: Valerie Higgins finished second in the WCC in both scoring (16.5) and rebounding (9.1) and was No. 1 in steals (3.5).

Top returning players: The Tigers will be led by the All-WCC duo of junior guard Valerie Higgins (16.5 points, 9.1 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 3.5 steals)  and junior forward Brooklyn McDavid (14.5 points, 5.8 rebounds). Also back is sophomore guard Kaylin Randhawa (8.1), who will be the team’s top returning 3-point shooter.

Key losses: The Tigers expect to lose three seniors, including 3-point specialist Sofie Tryggedsson (7.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, 52 threes) and guard Jessica Blakeslee (5.9 points, 3.2 rebounds).

What to expect next season: Higgins and McDavid will form one of the WCC’s top tandems again next season, which is a good starting point toward keeping the Tigers in the league’s upper division. The Tigers have signed a pair of high school prospects, guard Erica Adams and Liz Smith, whose father Kevin Smith was a three-time Super Bowl champion with the Dallas Cowboys.


PEPPERDINE
2019-20 Record/finish: 16-15 overall, 8-10/6th in WCC

Season summary: The Waves showed signs of making a move up the standings when they won five in a row through mid-February, including three road games. The schedule turned unforgiving after that and Pepperdine lost to Portland, Gonzaga, BYU and San Diego to close the regular season. They reversed field again in the WCC tournament, knocking off Saint Mary’s and BYU before losing to San Diego in the semifinals. 

Stat that matters: Pepperdine attempted more shots (2,003) than any team in the conference but finished last in the WCC in field-goal accuracy (.374).

Top returning players: The Waves will build around the threesome of guard Malia Hambrick (10.4 points), forward Monique Andriuolo (9.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 40 blocked shots) and guard Jayla Ruffus-Milner (5.5 points, 4.8 rebounds).

Key losses: Pepperdine sustain heavy losses in the backcourt, with the exit of senior guards Hannah Friend (11.7 points, 4.7 rebounds), Barbara Sitanggan (10.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.8 assists) and Paige Fescke (8.6 points).

What to expect next season: Friend and Sitanggan, two aggressive playmakers, will be tough to replace. In her second season, coach Kristen Dowling will have to develop new leaders and find clutch scorers while meshing three high school signees.


SAINT MARY’S
2019-20 Record/finish: 12-19 overall, 6-12/7th in WCC

Season summary: The Gaels hit an unexpected bump in the road after eight straight 20-win seasons and 10 straight years in the postseason. Saint Mary’s was 9-9 when junior wing Emily Codding went down to a knee injury, and went just 3-10 the rest of the season. 

Stat that matters: The Gaels’ defense generated just 10.4 turnovers per game (lowest total in the WCC) and finished a turnover margin of minus-6.3 to rank 344th out of 348 teams nationally.

Top returning players: Forward Sam Simons (16.3 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists) was one of just two underclassmen (the only sophomore) named to the All-WCC first team. Shooting guard Taycee Wedin (12.8 points) earned an honorable mention All-WCC pick as a sophomore after setting a conference single-season record with 104 made 3-pointers. Also back is senior-to-be Madeline Holland (12.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.4 assists), who was forced by injuries to often play point guard this season although she is a natural forward.

Key losses: The Gaels lose senior forward Tyra Moe (5.3 points, 3.6 rebounds), who started 13 games this season.

What to expect next season: Three season-long starters return, along with junior wing Emily Codding (14.7 points, 8.4 rebounds), who played 18 games before being sidelined by a knee injury. The Gaels also welcome a pair of Australian-born transfers: sophomore guard Jade Kirisome of Furman and 6-4 sophomore forward Amy West of Liberty. The defense must improve, but don’t expect another stumble by the Gaels.


SANTA CLARA
2019-20 Record/finish: 12-19 overall, 5-13/tied 8th in WCC

Season summary: The Broncos were 2-1 to open conference play when the wheels suddenly came off. They lost seven in a row and 11 of 12 before winning twice in their final three regular-season games. SCU got past rival San Francisco in overtime in the opening round of the WCC tournament, then was ousted by Pacific.

Stat that matters: Twelve of Santa Clara’s 19 defeats came by singe-digit margins.

Top returning players: Senior-to-be forward Ashlyn Herlihy (10.3 points, 6.7), who earned honorable mention All-WCC honors, will be joined by veterans forward Merle Wiehl (9.2 points, 4.2 rebounds) and guard Lindsey VanAllen (8.4 points, 3.7 rebounds).

Key losses: The Broncos lose three senior guards — Tia Hay (12.1 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists), Emily Wolph (8.0 points) and Addi Walters (6.0 points) — and forward Tamia Braggs (6.9 points, 3.2 rebounds). 

What to expect next season: The Broncos will move forward without four seniors, including Hay, but there are some returnees with experience and credentials. Coach Bill Carr added four high school signees in November, including 6-foot wing Lara Edmanson of Australia and 6-7 Katie Harris, the younger sister of Shayley Harris, a 6-6 transfer from UCLA who becomes eligible next season.


SAN FRANCISCO
2019-20 Record/finish: 12-19 overall, 5-13/tied 8th in WCC

Season summary: The Dons finished non-conference play with five wins in their final six games. Then they dropped their first nine WCC games before winning three in a row — vs. BYU and at Pacific and Saint Mary’s — entering the conference tournament. Their star in Las Vegas ended quickly with a first-round defeat to rival Santa Clara.

Stat that matters: USF finished second in the conference in rebounding margin, behind only regular-season champion Gonzaga, at plus-4.3 per game. 

Top returning players: Two season-long starters will be back in senior-to-be guard Lucie Hoskova (13.9 points, 4.8 rebounds) and sophomore forward Leilah Vigil (12.5 points, 10.4 rebounds), who collected honorable mention All-WCC honors after leading the conference in rebounding and assembling 15 double-doubles. Both Hoskova and Vigil could play bigger roles still next season. The Dons should also get a nice boost from Ioanna Krimili, a 5-foot-10 guard from Heraklion, Greece, who averaged 15.6 points through nine games as a freshman this season before being shelved by a foot injury. Krimili scored 32 points in her college debut against Northern Colorado.

Key losses: Mikayla Williams, a graduate transfer forward from UC San Diego, was a second-team All-WCC honoree after averaging 15.1 points and 8.8 rebounds. 

What to expect next season: The Dons appear on the cusp of making some headway. They finished this season strong, and remain a young team with nine sophomores and two freshmen on the 2019-20 roster. Three players who missed most or all of this past season with injuries are expected to provide a boost: sophomore forward Lucija Kostic (knee), junior forward Masha Vasileuka (knee) and sophomore forward Julia Nielacna (abdominal injury/illness). Incoming freshman Jumoke Adaramoye averaged a triple-double through her first three years at her Pennsylvania prep school. 


LOYOLA MARYMOUNT
2019-20 Record/finish: 7-25 overall, 3-15/tied 10th in WCC

Season summary: It was a rough road for the Lions. They show a hint of a turnaround by winning three in a row in mid-January. But that was followed by 12 straight defeats, including a first-round exit from the WCC tournament at the hands of Saint Mary’s.

Stat that matters: The Lions averaged 17.3 turnovers per game, squandering 555 possessions where they didn't get a shot off.

Top returning players: The Lions will welcome back their three double-figure scorers, led by senior-to-be guard Chelsey Gibson (13.1 points, 3.2 rebounds), an honorable mention All-WCC selection. Also returning are freshman guard Ciera Ellington (11.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.9 assists) and senior-to-be forward Jasmine Jones (10.7 points, 7.5 rebounds).

Key losses: The Lions’ only departing senior is starting center Raychel Stanley (9.4 points, 4.5 rebounds).

What to expect next season: The Lions should get a huge boost with the availability of redshirt sophomore forward Aquila DeCosta, a former four-star prospect from Sacramento and transfer from Baylor who becomes the highest-rated player ever to join the LMU program. Joining four returning starters, DeCosta should help the Lions climb the WCC standings.