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2007-08 Wingate University Women’s Basketball Outlook

Fans of the Wingate University women’s basketball team will see a new face on the sidelines in 2007-08. Head coach Barbara Nelson takes the reins as head coach, replacing Johnny Jacumin. During his 27-year Bulldog tenure, Jacumin compiled an overall record of 591-218.

Nelson is no stranger to hard work and success. She served as the head varsity girls’ basketball coach at Providence Day School in Charlotte for 21 seasons. She compiled a 437-176 record with seven NCISAA state championships during her tenure with the Chargers.

“The hallmarks for our team will be hard work and unselfishness,” Nelson said. We will care about each other and strive to win every time we hit the floor. I would like to think that people thought we were dedicated and committed to everything we’re doing.”

Bulldog fans will see new faces on the court as well, as Wingate (23-7 last season) graduated four starters from an NCAA tournament squad. Leading the way for the veterans is junior point guard Anna Atkinson. An ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America® candidate, Atkinson is a two-time All-SAC performer.

Last year, Atkinson averaged 7.3 points per game and 4.9 assists per game. She led the South Atlantic Conference in steals and assist-to-turnover ratio. “My style of play is very up-tempo,” Nelson said. “Anna wants to play the style we want to play and she’s excited about it.”

Nelson believes the Bulldogs will employ several different styles this year. “I think our fans will see a team that transitions about one-third of the time,” she noted. “I think they will see a team that runs many continuity offenses at least a third of the time. Also, I think they will see us utilize set plays (a third of the time).”

Bulldog senior shooting guard Kate Edwards gives Wingate one of the best outside threats in the SAC. Edwards led the team with 48 three-point field goals last season. “Every one of our opponents is going to come out of the zone when she is in the game,” Nelson said.

“Kate has worked very hard on putting the ball on the floor…to establish her mid-range jumper,” Nelson said. “I am very pleased with her progress. She has led us in every capacity (during the pre-season). She has taken very seriously the charge I gave her. Kate wants to finish her career on a great note.”

Wingate senior guard Kasey Gillis “is probably one of the purest athletes on our team,” Nelson noted. “I think she will benefit most from the change in our style of play. I think an up-and-down game and an athletic game will play into Kasey’s abilities tremendously.”

“Kasey has been working very hard in our individual work-outs,” Nelson added. In 2006-07, Gillis played in 30 games (three starts), averaging 3.3 points per game. She is a local product from Piedmont High School. “She’s going to do real well with the pace we’re going to try and play,” Nelson noted.

All total, eight letter winners return from last year’s NCAA play-off squad. In the front court, junior Leslie Tucker and sophomore Stacie Rhodes will make a big contribution this season. “Leslie is our enforcer,” Nelson said. “She’s got such a pleasant attitude. She brings so much positive energy to our team.”

Rhodes spent the summer at “basketball boot camp,” Nelson noted. “She has worked so hard on every aspect of her game. Stacie will be hard (for our opponents) to contain.”

In the backcourt, junior guard Brittany West “is one of the hardest workers on our team,” Nelson said. Junior Paige Mincey and sophomore Sarah Rosser will give the Bulldogs a boost with their outside shooting prowess.

Seven newcomers will battle for playing time. Freshman forward Stefani Shuey “gives 110 percent effort every play,” Nelson noted. Freshman forward/guard Jessy Keitt played for Coach Nelson at Providence Day. “Jessy plays tenacious defense,” Nelson said. “She will help us defensively in playing the style we want to play.”

Sophomore transfer Erica Crumlin (East Carolina) will give the Bulldogs a presence in the post. Nelson believes freshman guard/forward CC Brooks has the potential to earn All-SAC honors before her Bulldog career ends. Freshman point guard Emily Parrish joins Wingate squad as a recruited walk-on. “Emily is probably the biggest surprise in preseason (for us),” Nelson asserted.

Freshman guard Lauren Beeson will make a contribution before her Bulldog career concludes. Junior walk-on guard Amber Funderburk worked hard during the pre-season. Funderburk’s perseverance has been a good example for the younger Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs will play one of the toughest schedules in the NCAA Division II South Atlantic Region. Wingate plays CIAA power Johnson C. Smith University twice and Peach Belt Conference contender Lander University home and away. The Bulldogs will face Lynn (Fla.) University and Georgia College & State University in a Florida swing at Thanksgiving.

GC&SU eliminated Wingate from the 2007 NCAA Division II play-offs. The Bulldogs will also venture to Shaw in December to play the always-tough Bears.

Wingate will play 18 South Atlantic Conference games in December, January, February and March. The 2008 Food Lion SAC tournament will be held March 5 (sites of higher seeds) and March 8-9 (Hickory).

Cuddy Arena

The Women's Basketball Team plays its home games in the 2,300-seat Cuddy Arena, which features comfortable seating and an arena scoreboard. Offices and locker rooms are adjacent to the playing floor. Cuddy Arena is located in the Cannon Athletic Complex in the center of the Wingate University campus with ample parking next door.

The South Atlantic Conference

Wingate University has been a member of the South Atlantic Conference since the Fall of 1989. The school also became a member of the NCAA in the 1992-93 academic year. The winner of the conference tournament receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament each year.

A Demanding Schedule

The Team has consistently played the toughest schedule in the NCAA Division II South Atlantic Region, with games against Division I teams from Vanderbilt University, the University of Georgia and the College of William and Mary within the past few seasons. Academics are not overlooked; members of the team routinely do well in their classes.