Temple University Athletics
Women's Basketball "All In" for 2019-20 Season
10.30.19 | Women's Basketball
PHILADELPHIA -- After their 3-13 finish in the American Athletic Conference at the conclusion of the 2017-18 season, the Owls knew that the following year would be one dedicated to rebuilding the program and growing as both individuals and a team.Â
Temple finished the 2018-19 season with a conference record of 7-9, falling just below a .500 win percentage. It was an improvement, but head coach Tonya Cardoza knows her team can accomplish much more.Â
After losing Alliya Butts, the only four-time All-Conference selection in Temple women's basketball history, one would think the Owls are in for another tough season this year. However, Cardoza is not worried whatsoever. The head coach explained that this year, there will be a lot more balance on the court.
"We have girls that can attack the basket, girls that can knock down shots, girls that can play one-on-one and a presence in the post," explained Cardoza. "We're comfortable with the ball being in anyone's hands."Â
This certainly is a change from last year, as the ball was mainly handled by Butts and returning First Team All-Conference selection Mia Davis. The two combined for 1002 points over the year, which was more than the rest of the Temple women's basketball team combined.Â
Cardoza suggested that Davis will have much more support this season, allowing for less pressure on the Baltimore, Md. standout and providing her the opportunity to thrive. Now that Davis has developed her confidence as an upperclassman, she is ready to grab the reins of this team and help lead them in the direction of success.
One player who will support Davis exceptionally is redshirt sophomore Ashley Jones. The Philadelphia native transferred to Temple following a strong freshman year at West Virginia University in 2017-18. Jones played in all 37 games for the Mountaineers, totaling 96 assists to finish second on the team. Jones' return has been highly anticipated by all, as she is believed to make an immediate impact on this team.Â
According to Cardoza, freshman Asonah Alexander will also aid in the growth of this team. The rookie has worked hard and done everything her coaches have asked of her since the moment she stepped onto North Broad. The guard is not afraid to pass the basketball and can set her teammates up for the perfect scoring opportunity. The duo of Jones and Alexander is expected to be a serious threat in the backcourt.
This year, Cardoza will count on her seniors, Shantay Taylor and Shannen Atkinson, and the graduate student Lena Niang to take on bigger leadership roles. "Those three will really affect if we win or lose each game," reflected Cardoza. Taylor and Atkinson are the only two players that remain on this year's roster from the 2016 team that made an NCAA Tournament appearance. They know the hard work and leadership it takes to get a team to the postseason, and Cardoza expects them to lead the way.Â
Temple's newly established post presence is comprised of Taylor, Atkinson, Davis, Alexa Williamson and Destiny Samuel. Williamson has matured from a quiet freshman to a confident and communicative sophomore who wants to do everything she can to help her team. Samuel sat out her first season on North Broad due to injury, but the 6' 2" forward has the potential to make noise down low.Â
The Owls have made a huge transformation in terms of confidence from last year to now. The majority of the 2018-19 roster was made up of underclassmen who were at times timid. Now, there is no lack of confidence in these players, and it is already showing at practice. With more experience under the belts, the Cherry and White are not afraid to communicate, bring the energy every day and be selfless with the ball. Cardoza stated, "When your players have confidence, it makes your job as a coach much easier and gives you confidence in what you're doing."
Temple is making it a priority to focus on the little things this season. "Everyone has to do their part because at any time if something lacks, we're going to be in trouble," added Cardoza. "We have enough of the right pieces and enough girls that are comfortable and confident that it's going to put us in a good spot."
As long as every player does their job and continues to grow in each of their roles, the team will continue to develop as a whole and turn into an unstoppable force that their opponents will not expect.Â
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Temple finished the 2018-19 season with a conference record of 7-9, falling just below a .500 win percentage. It was an improvement, but head coach Tonya Cardoza knows her team can accomplish much more.Â
After losing Alliya Butts, the only four-time All-Conference selection in Temple women's basketball history, one would think the Owls are in for another tough season this year. However, Cardoza is not worried whatsoever. The head coach explained that this year, there will be a lot more balance on the court.
"We have girls that can attack the basket, girls that can knock down shots, girls that can play one-on-one and a presence in the post," explained Cardoza. "We're comfortable with the ball being in anyone's hands."Â
This certainly is a change from last year, as the ball was mainly handled by Butts and returning First Team All-Conference selection Mia Davis. The two combined for 1002 points over the year, which was more than the rest of the Temple women's basketball team combined.Â
Cardoza suggested that Davis will have much more support this season, allowing for less pressure on the Baltimore, Md. standout and providing her the opportunity to thrive. Now that Davis has developed her confidence as an upperclassman, she is ready to grab the reins of this team and help lead them in the direction of success.
One player who will support Davis exceptionally is redshirt sophomore Ashley Jones. The Philadelphia native transferred to Temple following a strong freshman year at West Virginia University in 2017-18. Jones played in all 37 games for the Mountaineers, totaling 96 assists to finish second on the team. Jones' return has been highly anticipated by all, as she is believed to make an immediate impact on this team.Â
According to Cardoza, freshman Asonah Alexander will also aid in the growth of this team. The rookie has worked hard and done everything her coaches have asked of her since the moment she stepped onto North Broad. The guard is not afraid to pass the basketball and can set her teammates up for the perfect scoring opportunity. The duo of Jones and Alexander is expected to be a serious threat in the backcourt.
This year, Cardoza will count on her seniors, Shantay Taylor and Shannen Atkinson, and the graduate student Lena Niang to take on bigger leadership roles. "Those three will really affect if we win or lose each game," reflected Cardoza. Taylor and Atkinson are the only two players that remain on this year's roster from the 2016 team that made an NCAA Tournament appearance. They know the hard work and leadership it takes to get a team to the postseason, and Cardoza expects them to lead the way.Â
Temple's newly established post presence is comprised of Taylor, Atkinson, Davis, Alexa Williamson and Destiny Samuel. Williamson has matured from a quiet freshman to a confident and communicative sophomore who wants to do everything she can to help her team. Samuel sat out her first season on North Broad due to injury, but the 6' 2" forward has the potential to make noise down low.Â
The Owls have made a huge transformation in terms of confidence from last year to now. The majority of the 2018-19 roster was made up of underclassmen who were at times timid. Now, there is no lack of confidence in these players, and it is already showing at practice. With more experience under the belts, the Cherry and White are not afraid to communicate, bring the energy every day and be selfless with the ball. Cardoza stated, "When your players have confidence, it makes your job as a coach much easier and gives you confidence in what you're doing."
Temple is making it a priority to focus on the little things this season. "Everyone has to do their part because at any time if something lacks, we're going to be in trouble," added Cardoza. "We have enough of the right pieces and enough girls that are comfortable and confident that it's going to put us in a good spot."
As long as every player does their job and continues to grow in each of their roles, the team will continue to develop as a whole and turn into an unstoppable force that their opponents will not expect.Â
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Players Mentioned
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