WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

MEDIA NOTES

Nov. 15, 2001

 

 

2000-01 CPP Record: 27-3. CCAA Record: 20-2

2001 NCAA Division II National Champions

 

Ready To Start: Cal Poly Pomona’s women’s basketball team – the defending NCAA Division II champion – is putting the finishing touches on preparation for its title defense. The Broncos will host AAU team Love And Basketball on Saturday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. in Kellogg Gym in an exhibition game and then open their 2001-02 season next Saturday, Nov. 24, against Azusa Pacific, also in Kellogg Gym.

 

Show Us The Banner: The home opener will be a special evening for the Broncos because the 2001 championship banner will be unveiled in a special ceremony before the 7 p.m. game with Azusa Pacific. The championship was the fourth in the program’s history and the first since 1986. The roster from the championship team – including departed seniors LaTasha Burnett and Deanna Bergeson – will be honored in a festive celebration scheduled to begin at 6:45 p.m. Note To The Media: Because this is a special event, we would appreciate it if media members planning on attending the game notify the Sports Information Office as soon as possible so we can reserve a seat for you. Thank You.

 

We’re No. 1: Cal Poly Pomona finds itself atop of early preseason polls. The Broncos are the No. 1 team in the nation in the USA Today/ESPN Preseason Coaches’ Poll after collecting 21 of 24 first-place votes. North Dakota, the team the Broncos beat to win the national title last season, is ranked No. 2. The Broncos are also an overwhelming choice to win their 18th CCAA crown. The Broncos collected 11 first-place votes to easily outdistance No. 2 UC Davis.

 

The Thomas Guide: Paul Thomas returns for his eighth season as Cal Poly Pomona’s head coach. He has a record of 140-59 at Cal Poly Pomona. Thomas has been named CCAA Coach of the Year three times and guided the Broncos into the postseason in five straight seasons. The Broncos have also won four CCAA titles during the Thomas years.

 

Three Tremendous Years: The last three seasons have been especially impressive for the Broncos. Cal Poly Pomona is 76-12 during that time span, including a remarkable 55-7 mark in the CCAA. Three current seniors have played in all 88 games over the past three seasons. Lauri McIntosh (Sr., Diamond Bar, Diamond Bar HS), Burgundie Porter (Sr., San Dimas, San Dimas HS) and Kim Kennedy (Sr., Walnut Creek, Carondelet HS) have been a vital part of the Broncos’ success during their time at Cal Poly Pomona. McIntosh has established herself as one of the premier forwards in the country and is already the ninth-highest scorer in Cal Poly Pomona history. Porter has displayed a knack for big-game heroics as she demonstrated with her game-winning shot in the final second against Seattle Pacific in the regional final. Kennedy has been a steady fixture on the Cal Poly Pomona team and was the one who got the ball to Porter for her famous shot.

 

Appreciating Aprile: The Broncos returned four starters a year ago and the lone newcomer to the starting lineup was redshirt freshman Aprile Powell (So., Santa Ana, Century HS). Powell was some new addition. Powell came out and had one of the best freshman seasons in the program’s storied history. She was a Kodak All-American, the Most Outstanding Player in both the NCAA West Regional and Elite Eight tournaments and she led the Broncos in scoring (16.8 points per game) and rebounding (10.4 per game).

 

A Nose For A Title: Anna James is not only the most prolific 3-point shooter in Cal Poly Pomona history after just two seasons with the program. She has also shown she has a nose for the ball. James nearly broke her nose in a collision at the end of regulation in the Broncos’ 87-80 overtime win over North Dakota in the NCAA Championship game, but never missed a beat. James nailed a clutch 3-pointer to open the overtime period to give the Broncos a lead they never relinquished. James leads the Broncos in career 3-pointers with 130.

 

Who’s Back: The Broncos have nine players returning from last year’s championship team, including four starters. The one loss from the starting lineup, though, will be a big one. Talented point guard LaTasha Burnett, who had a sensational senior season for the program, will have to be replaced.

 

Who’s New: The Broncos welcome six newcomers to the program, including three who played high school basketball locally. Brandi Fletcher (Diamond Ranch HS), Christy Gardner (Ontario HS) and Britt Sumida (Ayala HS) are all incoming freshmen to the Cal Poly Pomona program. Transfers Kiarra Drummond (F, Los Angeles, Univ. of Texas El Paso), Heather Reeder (G, Wenatche, Wa., University of Portland) and Leah Whatley (G, Suisun, Tarleton State) are also new to the program.

 

Coach’s Corner: (About Love And Basketball): “All of their players are from good college programs so obviously they know how to play and how to compete at the highest level. I expect a highly competitive game. For the most part, they’ll probably play a pretty free and loose style of game, while we’re going to try to be as structured as we can. (Cal Poly Pomona players) are establishing an early set of roles for the team.”

            “They are tired of practicing against one another. However, championship teams should not let that deter them from improving and getting better on a daily basis. Letting the drag of the fifth week of practice get to you is not a championship attitude.”

            (About the season opener against Azusa Pacific): “Hearing the buzz around the department about the banner unveiling has everybody excited about that evening. I’m very proud to be a part of something like this here on our campus. We’re the only (NCAA Division II women’s program) in the nation that will have the opportunity to raise their banner at their first home game.”

                                                                                    -- Head Coach Paul Thomas