THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, November 21, 1995 TAG: 9511200144
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C9 EDITION: FINAL
SERIES: College Preview Basketball
SOURCE: BY JULIE GOODRICH, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 74 lines
There is little standing between the Old Dominion women's basketball team and a record fifth straight Colonial Athletic Association title.
Consider all the weapons the Lady Monarchs have:
Five returning starters from a team that went 27-6;
The CAA players and rookies of the year are back;
Another heralded recruit from Portugal that would start immediately for most teams in the league.
``We have a lot of people who bring positive things to the team,'' said head coach Wendy Larry. ``Accepting roles will be critical.''
While Larry's teams have always been known for their defensive tenacity, this season brings a change in the Lady Monarchs' offensive philosophy. It is a change that caters to one of the team's most valuable assets - playmaking point guard Ticha Penicheiro.
``We're allowing for more creativity offensively,'' Larry said. ``We'll react more to what a defense is providing, rather than structured plays. It's unpredictable, so it's difficult to defend. And it's difficult to scout because it changes from one time to another.''
The scouting report for the Lady Monarchs begins with the team's formidable post players, led by Clarisse Machanguana, the 1995 CAA player of the year who led ODU in scoring (16.7) and led the CAA in field goal percentage (.605, 16th nationally). An offseason conditioning program and time spent playing for the national team of Mozambique have made Machanguana (8.8 reb.) even stronger.
``There are very few people who work as hard as Clarisse outside of practice,'' said Larry. ``Her shooting percentage has a lot to do with Clarisse's decision of what's a good shot and what's not. She doesn't force it.''
When Machanguana isn't demolishing opponents in the paint, that task will go to senior center Esther Benjamin, who was named to the CAA All-Defensive team after leading the Lady Monarchs with 47 blocked shots. Sophomore Nyree Roberts (8.1 ppg, 5.7 reb.) can also dominate from underneath the basket, and brings a newfound quickness to the floor after losing over 50 pounds since joining the program.
Sophomore Angie Liston, the tallest player on the roster at 6-6, will contribute if she can remain healthy after missing all of last season with a back injury.
``The post game is a priority. That's what will take us to the next level,'' Larry said. ``But our post game can only be as good as our perimeter game, because it's those people that get the ball inside.''
Penicheiro arrived from Portugal last year and set the ODU field house afire with her spectacular play from the point. She finished the season ranked 10th nationally in steals (4.0) and 21st in assists (6.2) and was named the CAA rookie of the year.
Although she doesn't figure to score in the double digits, how well Penicheiro reads opposing defenses within the Lady Monarchs new less-structured offensive scheme will be key.
Another factor in ODU's success is finding a place for Mery Andrade. A 6-1 power forward who played with Penicheiro on the Portuguese National Team, Andrade is a superb athlete and a fearless rebounder. The coaching staff is trying to get Andrade used to play a more perimeter-oriented game, but cracking the starting lineup is only a matter of time. ILLUSTRATION: JIM WALKER /The Virginian-Pilot
Point guard Ticha Penicheiro, right, will have a major role in the
Lady Monarchs' more creative offense.
[Side Bar]
Lady Monarchs at a Glance
For complete listing, see microfilm.
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