WBB | Saint Mary's Begins Practice This Week
10/16/2020 5:22:00 PM | Women's Basketball
MORAGA, Calif. — Saint Mary's women's basketball officially began their team practices this week after a long spring and summer layoff due to COVID-19. The team was cleared to move forward with full indoor practices by the College and Contra Costa County earlier this month.
Head coach Paul Thomas said he was grateful to be back on the court after several months off and how he missed the little things during the break.
"It's like everything else in your life: when something is taken away you miss it most and then when you get it back you understand the appreciation you have for it. That's how I feel about basketball and the team and the coaches working together. All of the little details, you really learn to appreciate those."
Amy West, who redshirted last season after transferring from Liberty, is also excited to suit up for the Gaels for the first time this season. "I'm very excited, definitely on edge to start playing again and be able to contribute to this team."
West should be a major addition to the Gaels' efforts in the paint both offensively and defensively this season with her 6'4 height. She spent the summer training in New Zealand and was able to spend a week with the Tall Ferns, one of the national teams.
"I love the way we practice here," said West of the Gaels. "We run the floor, we get up and down and we don't do many drills. We just play and learn from our mistakes by playing and I think that's the best way to learn and grow."
West is one of a few Gaels, along with Finau Tonga and Jade Kirisome, who had to sit out last season due to transfer rules or injury. Thomas thinks that the group of redshirts can be key contributors to this year's team after learning the ropes last year.
Senior Madeline Holland also figures to be a leader and key component for Saint Mary's after scoring 12.6 points per game as a junior. The guard said she's ready to step up into that role and be a role model for the underclassmen.
"I'm excited to be a top leader on this team along with some of my other teammates. We have a lot of new people and people coming up so I'm looking forward to guiding them in the right direction with our plays and our defense."
When asked about the strengths of the team, Holland said, "I think we're a lot deeper this year. We have a lot of new people and transfers who can now play. Especially at the point guard position, we have multiple people who can bring the ball up."
Depth will be an important element to the Gaels this season after injuries ravaged the team last year. "Our preventative work is on high alert," said Thomas. "It's being emphasized."
"Your best players are your available players," he added. "Everybody has a different role. If we just had our five starters healthy the whole year, that doesn't help the team because they have to have someone to practice and compete against on a daily basis. If we have everyone available, I think we've righted the ship immediately."
Aside from staying healthy, Thomas did highlight a few more areas he'd like to see the team take steps forward again.
"We have to be better at rebounding. We have to do a better job at getting to the free throw line while maintaining our three-point shooting. I think that was a strength last year - our ability to shoot and make threes."
The Gaels conference schedule was announced last week with WCC action starting at the end of December. The first day available to play in non-conference games is Nov. 25.
Head coach Paul Thomas said he was grateful to be back on the court after several months off and how he missed the little things during the break.
"It's like everything else in your life: when something is taken away you miss it most and then when you get it back you understand the appreciation you have for it. That's how I feel about basketball and the team and the coaches working together. All of the little details, you really learn to appreciate those."
Amy West, who redshirted last season after transferring from Liberty, is also excited to suit up for the Gaels for the first time this season. "I'm very excited, definitely on edge to start playing again and be able to contribute to this team."
West should be a major addition to the Gaels' efforts in the paint both offensively and defensively this season with her 6'4 height. She spent the summer training in New Zealand and was able to spend a week with the Tall Ferns, one of the national teams.
"I love the way we practice here," said West of the Gaels. "We run the floor, we get up and down and we don't do many drills. We just play and learn from our mistakes by playing and I think that's the best way to learn and grow."
West is one of a few Gaels, along with Finau Tonga and Jade Kirisome, who had to sit out last season due to transfer rules or injury. Thomas thinks that the group of redshirts can be key contributors to this year's team after learning the ropes last year.
Senior Madeline Holland also figures to be a leader and key component for Saint Mary's after scoring 12.6 points per game as a junior. The guard said she's ready to step up into that role and be a role model for the underclassmen.
"I'm excited to be a top leader on this team along with some of my other teammates. We have a lot of new people and people coming up so I'm looking forward to guiding them in the right direction with our plays and our defense."
When asked about the strengths of the team, Holland said, "I think we're a lot deeper this year. We have a lot of new people and transfers who can now play. Especially at the point guard position, we have multiple people who can bring the ball up."
Depth will be an important element to the Gaels this season after injuries ravaged the team last year. "Our preventative work is on high alert," said Thomas. "It's being emphasized."
"Your best players are your available players," he added. "Everybody has a different role. If we just had our five starters healthy the whole year, that doesn't help the team because they have to have someone to practice and compete against on a daily basis. If we have everyone available, I think we've righted the ship immediately."
Aside from staying healthy, Thomas did highlight a few more areas he'd like to see the team take steps forward again.
"We have to be better at rebounding. We have to do a better job at getting to the free throw line while maintaining our three-point shooting. I think that was a strength last year - our ability to shoot and make threes."
The Gaels conference schedule was announced last week with WCC action starting at the end of December. The first day available to play in non-conference games is Nov. 25.
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