Fleming and Maycock see defense as point of emphasis
The St. Bonaventure women’s basketball team and third-year head coach Jesse Fleming are looking to show signs of growth and improvement after an up and down 2017-18 season.
Fleming wants to see his team play better on the defensive side of the ball this season after finishing 8-22 last season.
“We really need to improve defensively,” said Fleming. “Analytically, we were one of the better offensive teams in the Atlantic 10 last year, but we really struggled to rebound and defend. The big message for us this offseason has been rebounding and defense. If we can take care of the ball, rebound and play defense, we’re going to give ourselves a chance to be competitive in the league.”
Senior guard, Mckenna Maycock, who averaged over 11 points per game and ranked second in the A10 in three-point shooting, also weighed in on what the team needs to build upon this year.
“I think the biggest thing that we need to improve on from last year is our defense,” said Maycock. “The coaches have really made it a point for us to be better at defense. I also think our team cohesiveness is better.”
Senior forward, Arielle Harvey, who averaged 9.7 points per game, 2.8 rebounds per game, 29.1 minutes per game, led the team with 25 blocks and ranked eighth in the A10 in three-point percentage, will miss her senior season due to an undisclosed health issue. Fleming expresses his confidence in others to make up for Harvey’s absence.
“I think we’re a pretty deep team,” said Fleming. “I think we can go nine, 10 or 11 deep. We’ve got a nice guard rotation that can fill Arielle’s spot. Danielle Migliore had a great year for us last year. We’ve got a solid freshmen in Asianae Johnson and Dajah Logan, our transfer from the College of Charleston, who had to sit out last year. So we’ve certainly got a lot of great options to fill that spot. All three of those players bring a lot of great things to the court.”
While there are just three freshmen on this year’s team, Fleming had a lot of positive words to offer about how each of them have performed in the preseason thus far.
“I think Deja Francis is still competing for the point guard spot. I think she’s got a really high ceiling because she can score and she has incredible passing vision,” said Fleming. “Asianae Johnson is a really explosive athlete and a high level finisher at the basket. She also has a great motor on defense. Kerry Jornlin, another one of our freshmen, has really good upside. She’s 6’3 and can shoot the three. She’s got a ways to go, but she’s made huge strides this fall.”
On top of the freshmen, Fleming also described each of his transfers who are both eligible to play this season.
“Dajah Logan [junior transfer] can play a couple of different positions and is very flexible on the defensive end,” said Fleming. “Amanda Oliver transferred in from Florida Southwestern. She’s had a tremendous fall for us so far. She has a high rebounding rate and is probably right up there with Maycock as one of the highest effort-level players on this team.”
Maycock expressed how impressive the newcomers have been during the preseason and how she is excited to see what kind of impact they bring to the team.
“I was really happy with the freshmen and the way they came in and competed,” said Maycock. “I think all of our newcomers have come in and learned our plays really well and are ready to fit into our offensive and defensive styles.”
Maycock also realizes that being the only senior on this year’s team comes with a lot of responsibility. She hopes she can help the younger players make strides during her final season in the brown and white.
“I just look to be a leader by example every day in practice,” said Maycock. “I want to be the person that our younger players can come and talk to and ask for any help they might need. I just look to be a leader in that way.”
Fleming also discussed which players from last year’s team have caught his attention this preseason.
“I think Maycock has had a great offseason. She’s really confident in that lead playmaking role,” said Fleming. “I also think Emily Calabrese, who played 30 minutes a game last season, has really improved. When she has a bad practice now, it would’ve been a good practice last year. She’s raised the standard for herself a little bit. Those are probably the two players that I have seen make a really nice jump so far.”
Maycock stated the biggest team goals are to make it to a postseason tournament for the first time since 2016.
“This season, I hope that we can finish in the top half of the A10,” said Maycock. “I also hope that we can make it to a postseason tournament. I want to go out on a high note.”
Fleming, who believes the conference is wide open this year, explained what he hopes to see his team accomplish this year in the conference and beyond.
“I really think the A10 is wide open this year,” said Fleming. “If we can be better defensively and give ourselves a chance, and we can be competitive. Who knows where we will finish standings wise. I really don’t think there’s a pecking order in the A10 right now, so there’s no reason why we can’t sit here and talk about doing really big things in the league. I also want us to play better on the road and defend home this year. I would also like to see the Reilly Center become a tougher place to play for women’s basketball.”
The team will host Alfred University for an Exhibition game at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 2, and will begin regular season play on the road against Niagara University at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 6.
By Mike Hogan, Sports Assignment Editor
hoganm17@bonaventure.edu
