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<b>Preseason All-Conference Team</b>

First Team
G Amanda Rego, University of San Diego
G Dominique Carter, University of San Francisco
F Heather Bowman, Gonzaga
F Jenn Gottschalk, Santa Clara University
C Amber Sprague, University of San Diego

Second Team
G Amanda DeCoud, Loyola Marymount University
G Laiken Dollente, University of Portland
G Chandice Cronk, Santa Clara University
G Jontelle Smith, St. Mary's College
F Maija Lahde, St. Mary's College
F Valerie Ogoke, Loyola Marymount University
C Teena Wickett, Pepperdine University

Predicted Order of Finish
San Diego -- If Toreros stay healthy and peak late, they'll edge Gonzaga and LMU
Gonzaga -- Forwards were more than the sum of their parts, and Hawk is gone
Loyola Marymount -- Could win some games 37-30, but might have to
Pepperdine -- Tall and balanced; a popular dark horse among WCC coaches
USF -- Should emerge as the Bay Area's lunchbucket team
St. Mary's -- Have to adjust to a change in identity in coach's second season
Portland -- Youngsters have matured, seniors have rehabilitated
Santa Clara -- Need to develop toughness

<b>Gonzaga University Bulldogs</b>
Conference record: 13-1, 1st
Offensive efficiency: 100.4, 1st
Defensive efficiency: 88.5, 3rd
Starters lost: 2

Over the last three seasons, Gonzaga compiled a 38-4 record in conference, culminating last year with their first trip to the NCAA championship tournament. Look out -- coach Kelly Graves said the 2007-08 Bulldogs are his most talented team yet, and that's in spite of losing conference co-player of the year Stephanie Hawk.

"We've had to replace a great player in each of several years," said Graves, "and someone steps up and makes her own name. This is my favorite group ever, a bunch of munchkins, and Bowman." 6-3 sophomore forward Heather Bowman was named the WCC newcomer of the year, forming with Hawk the most effective offensive frontcourt in the league. The two Bulldogs combined for 32.4 points per game (1st, 2nd in conference individually) and shot .485 (3rd, 6th). "We didn't know she'd be *that* good, especially down the stretch," Graves said (Bowman's scoring and shooting improved during conference play). He added that Bowman spent the summer adding muscle.

But Graves admits that without Hawk and backup center Simone Santos, his team's biggest question mark is depth inside. 6-4 junior center Elaina Renius returns from playing volleyball exclusively, but Renius is mainly a big body, Graves said. 6-2 junior Maria Hassett will get a look.

Graves believes his team will excel at the wings. Rachel Kane (4th in assists in conference), Jami Bjorklund (all-tournament team), and Michelle Elliott (9th, 3FG%) are a heady group of guards (but they're not the slickest--Middle Tennessee State crushed Gonzaga in the NCAA tournament with backcourt pressure; "Rachel might be really smart on the floor, but she can't beat anyone off the dribble"), and Graves expects much from freshman swingwoman Janelle Bekkering. The Canadian national, recruited by Stanford, has recovered from the knee injury that made her a medical redshirt. "She's going to be terrific," Graves said.

Additionally, Gonzaga's most promising newcomers are guards. Sophomore Tiffanie Shives, Michigan's Miss Basketball in 2005, is eligible following her transfer from Michigan State. Freshman Courtney Vandersloot was ranked the best point guard in Washington state.

<b>University of San Diego Toreros</b>
Conference record: 10-4, 2nd
Offensive efficiency: 93.3, 2nd
Defensive efficiency: 84.6, 2nd
Starters lost: 2

Only WCC champion Gonzaga and the University of San Diego put two players on the WCC all-conference team. One difference was that the Zags -- Stephanie Hawk and Heather Bowman -- were forwards, while the Toreros -- Amanda Rego and Amber Sprague -- formed the best point/post combination in the league. The other difference is that Hawk graduated, whereas Rego and Sprague are back for another go.

That might've been enough for WCC coaches to put San Diego ahead of Gonzaga in a preseason poll, but USD coach Cindy Fisher said two torn ACLs have robbed the Toreros of their depth. "We're lacking guards. We're throwing the freshmen into the fire; the younger kids are going to have make an impact," she said.

The Toreros have five healthy guards: Rego, the leading playmaker in Division I (the conference co-player of the year is "stronger and quicker, and continues to improve," Fisher said); Kelly Winther, the team's top scoring guard; and backup point Alcha Strane ("she'll be another key player; she's expected to be a factor", said Fisher). Then there are freshmen Sam Child, recruited by teams in the Pac-10 and Southeast conferences, and Brianna Estell, who averaged 10 assists per game as a Perris HS (Perris, Calif.) senior.

Sprague -- fourth in conference scoring, and second in rebounding -- leads the San Diego frontcourt, while Fisher believes junior Kiva Herman has the greatest potential on the squad. Herman could draw the toughest defensive assignments that went to graduate Ashley Voisinet.

Fisher agrees she might have the conference's best team on paper, but she's concerned with the team's mental makeup. San Diego's loss to St. Mary's in their last home game was a eye opener, said Fisher, but their loss to San Francisco in the first round of the postseason tournament was a "shocker". "We have to understand that we can't take anyone for granted. We have to get stronger mentally, and put the past behind us." She said a trip to Australia brought the team together as a group, and she looks forward to this season's postseason tournament on her home floor.

<b>Loyola Marymount University Lions</b>
Conference record: 9-5, 3rd
Offensive efficiency: 93.2, 4th
Defensive efficiency: 82.6, 1st
Starters lost: 2

No WCC team lost as much to graduation as the Loyola Marymount Lions. After winning 19 games, and advancing to the postseason tournament final, three of LMU's top scorers, and their two leading rebounders, are gone. Amanda Patton was named all-conference, Jennifer Hall and Ashlee Dunlap were honorable mentions. "We recruit to replace. It's a constant cycle of replacing," said LMU coach Julie Wilhoit. "As much success as they brought to our program, they also brought us the responsibility to help them graduate and move on."

Wilhoit believes that the 2008 Lions will be a "better polished product defensively". Returning are senior guard Amanda DeCoud, the conference defensive player of the year (5th in WCC assists, 1st in steals), and junior forward Valerie Ogoke, who led the team in blocked shots. Wilhoit said the team can return to more of an overplaying, aggressive defensive style after making adjustments for the offensively-minded Dunlap and Hall.

The LMU newcomers are a "heck of a freshman class, the most athletic freshman class we've ever had in terms of speed, jumping, athletic ability," Wilhoit said. "They may not be entirely ready for the college game, but they will contribute intensity to our practices, and maybe they'll be better than our seniors were as freshmen." Joining LMU's frontcourt are two redshirt forwards: 6-1 Aleyse Evans, whom Wilhoit describes as "phenomenal, bigger and broader than Ogoke, with softer hands", and 6-2 center Maggie Burkett, an all-state player from Boise, Idaho.

Wilhoit said LMU will have to push the ball a little harder, and increase the tempo, because Patton's reliable outside shooting is no longer an option. "We never had to question our outside scoring, but I don't think anyone can get [her shot] off as quickly as [Patton] did. We'll have to make sure that these kids gain that confidence." Wilhoit named junior guard Kavita Goss, who was second on the team in treys made, as a candidate to fill the shooter role.

<b>St. Mary's College Gaels</b>
Conference record: 8-6, 4th
Offensive efficiency: 90.4, 5th
Defensive efficiency: 91.8, 6th
Starters lost: 1

The St. Mary's Gaels earned a reputation last season for being a tough, physical team. The Gaels were first in the WCC in offensive rebounding, second in blocked shots, and second in free throws attempted. However, the Gaels have lost their two most rugged players to graduation -- forward Eghosa Obaiza was second in the conference in offensive rebounds and fourth in blocks; center Sheridan Arredondo was sixth in blocks.

"We don't have anyone to get eight, nine or 10 rebounds," coach Paul Thomas said of Obaiza, who made four double-doubles, "but maybe six of them will get three to five. We talk about rebounding at every opportunity -- about positioning, and how to be scrappy." The Gaels' leading returning rebounders are 6-1 forward Maija Lahde (10.3 pts. per game were second on the team, 7.1 rebounds were also second) and 5-4 point guard Lauren Shaughnessy, who contributed a double-double in points and rebounds against Santa Clara. "She's playing even harder now, at a whole different level," said Thomas. But she isn't unbreakable; Shaughnessy lost two games to injury.

"We've gotta stay healthy; we can't have Shauny and Serena [Benevente, one of St. Mary's startin guard trio] playing 40 minutes a night." Thomas said that the Gaels' schedule is brutal, including SEC champion Vanderbilt and 26-game winner Baylor.

St. Mary's leading scorer is catch-and-shoot specialist Jontelle Smith, who was second in the conference in three-point percentage. Her coach said the all-conference guard "needs to improve her defense, score off the dribble better, and pass the ball better".

Thomas said size is a concern for St. Mary's, but 6-4 post Louella Tomlinson comes aboard after contributing 4.5 blocks per game for Australia's Under-20 national team. Also, 6-6 sophomore Lindsay Ellis returns after playing just 87 minutes last year, but shooting .565 from the field. "Lindsay is going to play a huge, huge, huge role for us," said Thomas.

<b>Pepperdine Waves</b>
Conference record: 6-8, 5th
Offensive efficiency: 84.8, 7th
Defensive efficiency: 89.2, 4th
Starters lost: 0

A preseason poll of West Coast Conference coaches named San Diego, Gonzaga, Pepperdine, and Loyola Marymount nos. 1-4. Among the four, Pepperdine did not get a first place vote, but only the Waves didn't lose a key player to graduation. "We have potential, but potential is nothing. The pieces are there," said coach Julie Rousseau, "now we've got to put them together."

The Waves are balanced -- three scored between 10 and 11 points per game -- and tall on the front line. 6-4 post Teiosha George led the team in scoring, and was second in rebounding. 6-3 post Teena Wickett was first in rebounds, third in scoring, and earned a spot on the All-WCC first team as a freshman. "We knew how gifted Teena was," Rousseau said, "but it came down to her work ethic. Now the sky's the limit." Wickett attended every preseason workout, Rousseau said.

Pepperdine's backcourt is led by shooter Daphanie Kennedy (10.7 points per game, 2.1 assists) and point guard Nakeya Isabell. The 5-4 Isabell was sixth in the conference in assists, and fifth in steals. "She's so fast, and she has a huge heart," said Rousseau.

"The newcomers are just catching on; they're at the back of the line in every drill," said Rousseau. Freshman shooter Katie Menton has outstanding range, she said. Menton won four Central Coast Section Division III championships at Yosemite HS in Yosemite, Calif.

<b>Santa Clara University Broncos</b>
Conference record: 5-9, 6th
Offensive efficiency: 94.3, 2nd
Defensive efficiency: 99.2, 7th
Starters lost: 3

Every team has as its goal for a season to play its best basketball at the end of the season. Within each game, a team also strives to finish strongly, whether by the quarter or the half (and especially the second half). Last year's Santa Clara Broncos did neither.

Santa Clara began their 2006-07 conference schedule with a 4-2 mark, which was the team's peak. The Broncos lost seven of their last eight games, and weakened in the second halves. In six of their final eight games, SCU shot a lesser field goal percentage in the second half. Also in six of eight, SCU's opponents improved their field goal shooting in the second half. "We lacked mental and physical toughness," summarized SCU coach Michelle Bento-Jackson.

The Broncos lost six seniors to graduation, four of whom were starters, but SCU's leaders in most statistical categories were juniors. All-conference shooting guard Chandice Cronk and second team forward Jenn Gottschalk led the team in scoring and shooting. Gottschalk was the team's best rebounder, and guard Tracey Walker led SCU in steals. (If there was a bright side to SCU's second half fade, juniors Sara Majors and Claire Goins gained experience at the end: Majors increased her minutes per game to 22 in their last three games, Goins doubled her minutes to 10.)

"Our offensive and defensive philosophies will not change," said Bento-Jackson. "We'll try to be the aggressors on both ends of the floor, uptempo offensively while putting pressure on the opponents defensively." Bento-Jackson said Walker will take on more of the ballhandling duties -- "she has a tremendous feel for the open court" -- while Majors is a likely candidate to fill Walker's role as an energizing sixth woman.

"We're challenging our freshmen to be contributors this season," said Bento-Jackson, who said she was pleasantly surprised by Becky Goll's physical conditioning before camp. The 6-1 forward was named All-State at Central Catholic HS in Portland, Ore. Santa Clara finished last in the West Coast Conference in rebounds made and rebounds allowed -- perhaps help has arrived in 6-1 forward Kathy Willinsky, who set a Bonanza HS (Las Vegas, Nev.) record with 25 rebounds in a single game.

<b>University of San Francisco Dons</b>
Conference record: 3-11, 7th
Offensive efficiency: 84.9, 6th
Defensive efficiency: 91.5, 5th
Starters lost: 1

Play-by-play records are available for nine of the University of San Francisco's 11 losses in conference play. One was a double overtime defeat. In three of the losses, USF was within four points with less than two minutes to go. In two others, the Dons trailed by one with 2:37 left, and by one with 3:17 remaining. "We don't have any trouble staying close," USF media relations man Ryan McCrary said in February. "We just can't finish."

According to USF coach Tanya Haave, they're working on it. "We've addressed that in practice, building the confidence so we can go that next step," she said. "Last season, they'd freeze up. They'd look at the scoreboard in the last couple minutes, and think, 'hey, we're not supposed to beat this team.' This season, I'd like to see more confidence."

Senior guard Dominique Carter, 4th in the conference in scoring and the WCC's best shooter among guards, stands to become the second player in WCC history to make the all-conference team four times. "Dominique's going to be a more complete player, and do more of the things that don't show in the boxscore. Then again, maybe she'll have a breakout kind of season where she scores 20 points per game," said Haave.

Haave named depth at the post and three-point shooting as top concerns for the Dons. After senior center Lisa Olden (second on team in rebounds) on the depth chart, Haave believes juco transfer Ceciley Johnson will help immediately, while complementing Olden. "She's a more physical presence than Lisa," Haave said. Additionally, freshman Necolia Simmons will "put the power back in our power forward position. She's skilled, versatile, and has a great passion for the game."

The team's most accurate three-point shooter was all-freshman teamer Heidi Heintz, but Heintz tried fewer three-pointers than the other USF guards, possibly for having the unusual quality of preferring to play inside. USF's second-best long-range shooter was combo guard Katie Michalco, who lost half the season to injury.

<b>University of Portland Pilots</b>
Conference record: 2-12, 8th
Offensive efficiency: 84.2, 8th
Defensive efficiency: 103.7, 8th
Starters lost: 1

Portland coach Jim Sollars is starting his 23rd year as head pilot of the Pilots. Most of his eighth-place team hadn't been born when he took over, but one year of experience might make a difference for them: all of a sudden, his roster includes six juniors, though he is concerned that last year's freshmen "don't all decide to get the sophomore yips at the same time".

The Portland sophomore under the microscope is all-conference guard Laiken Dollente. Dollente was fifth in the West Coast Conference in scoring and first in three-point percentage; the 32 points she hung on Portland State was the second-most by a WCC player all season. "There's a target on her back now," Sollars said. "She's not going to catch anyone by surprise this year." Dollente was 11th in the conference in assists, but Sollars is planning to let Dollente work on moving without the ball, and leave more of the distribution chores to sophomore Kendra Morris. Together, the guards hit 89 percent of their free throws.

Portland was last in the conference in scoring differential. "We were a crappy defensive team, but defense takes longer to develop in players," Sollars said. "This year, they'll understand better what we coaches want defensively, and not give up too many offensive rebounds and second shots." Portland's interior defense counts on 6-3 senior center Rachel Warren, who lost half the WCC season to a foot injury, but led Australia to gold at the World University Games in August. In Warren's absence, 6-5 junior Carly Koebbel emerged as the WCC's leading shotblocker. Sollars likes their smarts: "I've got two of the most intellectual centers in the nation, a couple of international business students. Rachel Warren's going to be prime minister of Australia some day."

Portland's notable freshman is 6-foot small forward Jessica Clemens, who won two Division 3A state championships in Oregon. "Physically, she's the strongest kid I've ever coached," Sollars said.

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