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Henrickson's Hokies figure to be in ship shape heading into Big East

March 23, 2000
By Jimmy Robertson

As the final seconds ticked off the Cassell Coliseum clock, Tech's chances of a WNIT win over Maryland, its chances of advancing farther and ultimately its season sank to the depths of reality.

And after the 68-60 overtime loss, Tech head coach Bonnie Henrickson talked about next season and about getting this boat straightened out and getting everyone rowing in the right direction.

Well, the "boat" may be anchored right now for some offseason repairs. But rest assured, it's headed in the right direction.

For Henrickson and her team, this season resembled a white-water rafting trip - level 5 - compared to last season's cruise on the Loveboat. Just when the Hokies thought they had hit some smooth water, they encountered a series of rapids that nearly overturned - and in some cases, actually did - the boat as they trekked towards their goals.

For this group, the goals this season were simple, yet lofty. Win the A-10. Get to the NCAAs. Advance as far as possible.

And that's why, despite winning 20 games, Henrickson and the players expressed disappointment after the Maryland loss.

"Anytime you don't meet expectations, you're disappointed," Henrickson said. "We did a lot of good things, but if you're a competitor and you expect success and ultimately don't reach your goals, it's disappointing."

But Henrickson knows things are headed in the right direction. She pointed to recent comments made by UVa coach Debbie Ryan that appeared in The Roanoke Times, talking about how UVa's turning point came when the Wahoos beat Tech earlier this season.

"I told our kids that," Henrickson said. "Think about it. When has that ever happened? I think that's where we are as a program now. I like the direction we're headed."

Tech gets set to pull up its anchor and float out of the Atlantic 10 and into the Big East next season. Before heading out of port, Henrickson and her staff plan to plug a few leaks, the first one being the one at point guard.

Amy Wetzel gave the Hokies a valiant effort this season at point guard, but she struggled at times running the show and placing her at point guard takes her away from what she does best. And without a true point guard, Tech committed too many turnovers, many of which resulted from simply making poor passes in the halfcourt game.

Enter Lisa Guarneri, who transferred from Illinois and figures to be the helmsman of this ship next season for Tech. Guarneri handles the ball like a yo-yo and possesses the basketball savvy needed at that position. She may be the life preserver Henrickson's looking for at that spot.

"She has that sense, that persona," Henrickson said. "She's vocal. There wasn't a practice that you didn't hear her. She really helps us at that position."

Henrickson also wants to see her team's ball-handling improve mainly because the league's teams often press and play pressure defense. She wants to see Nicole Jones and Tere Williams, the two masts in the middle, develop their ability to face up and shoot the jumper since they'll be facing much taller people. In general, she wants to see each player make the sacrifices necessary in the offseason to be better players.

Will it be enough in the Big East? Some think the Hokies will get swamped, playing the likes of UConn, Notre Dame and Rutgers - three teams still alive in the NCAA Tournament - in addition to Boston College and Villanova.

But unlike her counterpart Ricky Stokes, who could be breaking in as many as eight new faces in one of the top leagues in the nation, Henrickson figures to have enough deckhands to get it done in that league. Williams, Wetzel and Jones bring a ton of talent and experience. Chrystal Starling figures to be a prime beneficiary of Guarneri's presence along with sharpshooter Sarah Hicks. Emily Lipton, Christina Strother and especially Mollie Owings played better down the stretch.

Combine all that with Davina Simmons, an athletic recruit from North Carolina who is recovering nicely after suffering a torn ACL in her knee this fall, and a recently committed 6-foot-4 post player from Richmond (who will sign in April), who brings a terrific shooting touch and the ability to pass from the high post and there is the makings of a solid Big East crew.

"I think the experience everyone got this season will make us stronger," Henrickson said. "Now you have to be realistic. I don't know if we're ready to knock off Connecticut. But we certainly want to be in the top five of the conference. We want to be in that mix."

The course for next season has been plotted. And yes, there's storms on the horizon. But one gets the feeling that somehow, some way, Henrickson and her team will stay the course, keep things afloat and reach the final destination.

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Jimmy Robertson is the editor of the Hokie Huddler at Virginia Tech. The Hokie Huddler is the athletics department newspaper that is printed 33 times a year - weekly during football and basketball seasons and bi-monthly during the spring.

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