MORAGA, Calif. – Saint Mary's Women's Basketball has begun their 2023-24 full practice slate, and will have an open practice on Sunday, October 15 at 10:00 a.m. with coffee and donuts for spectators getting their first look at this year's squad.
 
The Gaels are preparing for the upcoming season by installing a new system and new energy at their practices, all part of their first season under new Head Coach Jeff Cammon and his staff.
 
"Times have changed so much since back when I was a player and a young coach," Cammon said. "You didn't have as much time with your team in the off-season. But now you get the eight hours or four hours on a court where we were able to establish some things this summer that have really helped us transition into the 20-hour week, so I feel great about where we are.
 
"Obviously, you're so far from where you really want to be right now, but foundation I think is laid. It's a work in progress, but the young ladies are working hard, and are a great group to work with. I'm excited about our continued growth and can't wait to get back on the court."
 
That energy is what coach Cammon expects fans to see at the open practice on Sunday and all season for SMC.
 
"We want folks to come out and see the energy in the gym and the connectivity between the young ladies," Cammon added. "They'll see a team that is going to be very competitive going into the season. They'll see a lot of energy and a lot of joy and hard work going into that practice, and I think people will enjoy seeing our ladies work."
 
Saint Mary's returns starters Ali Bamberger, Tayla Dalton, Leia Hanafin, and Hannah Rapp from last season. Bamberger was named to the WCC All-Preseason Team earlier this week after making WCC All-First Team for the second straight season last year. She averaged 14.2 ppg and 8.4 rpg to lead the Gaels, and finish ninth and third in the WCC respectively.
 
The Gaels did lose the WCC's all-time leading three-point shooter in Taycee Wedin, as she finished her college career with 407 threes. They also saw regular rotation members and contributors graduate in Jade Kirisome, Clair Steele, and Amy West.
 
But the team added five new players to the fold in Emily Foy, Ruby Vlahov, Zeryhia-Lee Aokuso, Nadia Bernard, and Maia Jones now being eligible to play. They plan to make up for Wedin's outside shooting and spreading out the defense with several players getting the opportunity for more shots from the perimeter and mid range.
 
Coach Cammon comes to the Gaels after he was named The Big West Coach of the Year for leading the Long Beach State to their first 20-win season since 2016-17. They won 15-straight games from January 12 to March 2, the longest in the Big West last year. The team's 17 Big West wins were the most conference victories since 1988-89 and Cammon's teams are coming off back-to-back WNIT appearances.
 
As a team, the Beach ranked in the Top 10 nationally in steals per game (11.5) and turnover margin (6.1), as Cammon was the Beach's first Big West Coach of the Year since 2005-06. SMC will put a priority on defense under coach Cammon, while also adapting offensively to the personnel on hand.
 
The Gaels will open the season at Grand Canyon University on November 6 for the first ever meeting between the two programs. GCU is coming off a 21-10 season where they reached the semifinals of the WAC tournament.
 
Saint Mary's will start their home schedule on November 12 against UCSD. Fans can Click here to purchase tickets for the 2023-24 Saint Mary's Women's Basketball Season.
 
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