Colorado University Athletics
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL SET FOR WBCA CLASSIC
by Tilea S. Coleman
Boulder - Attention all WBCA Members and fans! Mark your calendars for the Second Annual WBCA Classic presented by Basketball Travelers, Inc. (BTI). The two-day tournament will take place November 14th and 15th at the University of Colorado - Boulder. This year’s event will feature four of the nation’s premiere women’s basketball programs: Auburn University, University of Colorado - Boulder, University of Notre Dame, and Old Dominion University.
In the first game, Notre Dame will take on Auburn and host Colorado will battle Old Dominion in the second game. Purdue University hosted and won the first 4-team, 2-game tournament in November 2002, with Texas Christian University, Holy Cross and Savannah State rounding out the inaugural field.
Breakdown of Teams:
The Auburn University Tigers will open their regular season at the WBCA Classic. Head coach Joe Ciampi brings back a very experienced team that is expected to be a fierce competitor out of the Southeastern Conference. Returning to play is last year’s sophomore sensation Natasha Brackett (16.4 ppg). Brackett surpassed Auburn legend Vickie Orr as the Tigers’ all-time sophomore leading scorer with 557 points in 2002-03. The Tigers also return two of their leading scorers and rebounders in seniors Tia Miller (9.9 points and 6.4 rebounds) and Le’Coe Willingham (9.6 points and 7.2 rebounds).
This year’s WBCA Classic host, University of Colorado ? Boulder, welcomes back its top two scorers in seniors Tera Bjorklund (18.5 ppg) and Kate Fagan (10.9 ppg). Bjorklund was the team’s second-leading rebounder grabbing 6.8 per game last year. Bjorklund is also a preseason candidate for The State Farm Wade Trophy. Ranked No. 20 in the USA Today/ESPN/WBCA Coaches Poll, head coach Ceal Barry and the Buffs are expected to be a mighty force out of the Big 12.
The 2001 NCAA Division I National Champions, Notre Dame will also make their season debut at the WBCA Classic. Head coach Muffet McGraw directed The Fighting Irish to its eighth straight NCAA Tournament and a 21-11 record last season. With all but one of the top seven scorers returning, the Irish expect to play more consistently this season. Leading a group of four returning starters will be junior forward and State Farm Wade Trophy Preseason Candidate Jacqueline Batteast who also earned All-BIG EAST Second Team honors last season. Batteast was the team’s top scorer (13.9) and rebounder (8.3). Sophomore Courtney LaVere enjoyed a tremendous freshman season as the team’s second-leading scorer (12.4) and rebounder (5.6). She went on to earn BIG EAST All-Rookie Team accolades. Joining Batteast and LaVere will be senior point guard Le’Tania Severe, a starter in all 32 games who averaged 7.3 points and 3.8 assists.
Rounding out the participating teams for this year’s tournament is Old Dominion University. Old Dominion (ODU) captured its league-record 12th consecutive CAA women’s basketball championship last March under the helm of 16-year head coach and WBCA President Wendy Larry. ODU returns three starters from last year’s 21-11 team. Junior guard Shareese Grant, last year’s Colonial Athletic Association tournament MVP, heads up the backcourt after ranking 12th in the league in scoring (12.6 ppg). The Lady Monarchs feature one of the league’s top front lines with Second -Team All-CAA forward Monique Coker, who scored 10.5 ppg and was second in the CAA in rebounds (8.7 rpg), and sophomore center Corrina Turner, who contributed 6.2 ppg and 7.0 rpg and led the league with 55 blocks. Also back are two of ODU’s top reserves from last season in senior guards Max Nhassengo (8.0 ppg) and Myriah Spence (4.7 ppg).
The Partnership:
The WBCA and BTI inaugurated their alliance last year with the first-ever WBCA Classic event. BTI has established themselves as the leading domestic and international travel organizer among college and high school basketball programs throughout the nation. With over 16 years of service, BTI has developed a strong rapport in the sport of basketball and has made outstanding contributions that have elevated the game globally.
With the success of last year’s tournament at Purdue University, the marriage between the WBCA and BTI looks promising. The 2004 host school will be the University of Washington. Teams are still needed to round out the 4-team tournament, to be held November 11-15, 2004 in Seattle.
More About the 2003 WBCA Classic:
Games will be played at the Coors Events Conference Center located on the campus of the University of Colorado - Boulder. Free parking is available!
Tickets are available at TicketsWest outlets located in all King Soopers or by visiting www.cubuffs.com. Fans may also call 1-800-87-BUFFS for tickets.
Single Game Ticket Information:
Reserved Seats - $9.00 - $15.00
General Admission Seats - $7.00 for adults; $3.00 for youth and seniors
"Chip's Court" - $5.00, includes a general admission ticket, hot dog, and soda (must be purchased in advance and quantities are limited!!!