2012-13 Season Outlook
Wingate, N.C.----When first-year Wingate University head women’s basketball coach Ann Hancock walks into Carmichael Arena tonight, the atmosphere will bring back great memories from her time as a Tar Heel assistant coach. During her Chapel Hill days, Hancock served with head coach Sylvia Hatchell as UNC won the 1994 NCAA Division I national championship. Tonight, Hancock brings her brand-new Bulldogs to Tar Heel Country for a 7 p.m. exhibition.
“I am so excited to have the opportunity to take the players to a special place in my life,” Hancock says. “There is so much heart, history and tradition at UNC, basketball-wise. We are glad to have the chance to expose our players to this history…most of our players grew up following ACC basketball…so they have a connection.”
“Coach Hatchell is a legend,” Hancock says. “She gave me my first job (out of college)…I will be forever grateful. I am excited our players will have a chance to meet her.”
Hancock and the Bulldogs will have much support in Carmichael Arena. Several local alums will make the journey, while a student/fan bus from Wingate will bring friendly faces as well.
“We have not competed against outside competition,” Hancock says. “We are focusing on the things we do well. In pre-season practice, we have been crashing the boards. We have a knack for finding the open places on the court. Our rebounding efforts have stood out to the coaching staff.”
Hancock believes leadership is important. “We have really good leadership potential in our underclassmen,” Hancock says. “Senior guard Sarah Wollett has put the team on her back. Sophomore guard Kelli Bonner has stood out as well. They’re driving the bus.”
This fall, Hancock and her fellow Wingate head coaches attended a leadership seminar led by world-renowned motivator Jeff Janssen. “Mr. Janssen says the strong teams are player driven,” Hancock says. “Our players are trying to drive the bus and provide direction (for our team).”
Hancock recognizes the Bulldogs have much work to do. “We have experienced shooting challenges,” Hancock says. “We must define our roles…and find out who will score the ball. We are figuring this out…and working hard on this.”
“The more we practice, the more we have people emerging to fill these roles,” Hancock says. “Junior guard Janitsha Williams can score the ball. Morgan McGee will have an impact as a freshman; she is a strong inside player who rebounds as well.”
The Bulldogs have clearly defined goals. “We want to win the South Atlantic Conference championship,” Hancock says. “This is our main focus. We also want to advance further in the NCAA tournament.”
Last year, Wingate was 24-8 overall and 13-5 in the SAC. The Bulldogs won the SAC regular season and tournament championships, advancing to the NCAA Sweet 16 before dropping a double-overtime decision to Southeast Region champion Lander.
Wingate will play a challenging schedule. Following their contest in Chapel Hill, the Bulldogs will venture to the nation’s capital for a Sunday, Nov. 4 exhibition against George Washington. Wingate opens the regular season by hosting the OrthoCarolina Classic Nov. 10-11 in Cuddy Arena. The Bulldogs face Montevallo (Ala.) Saturday, Nov. 10 and UNC Pembroke Sunday, Nov. 11.
Wingate visits Peach Belt Conference powers USC Aiken (Nov. 14) and Lander (Nov. 17). The Bulldogs open SAC play at Catawba Nov. 28. Benedict from the SIAC visits on Dec. 4. Both USC Aiken (Dec. 7) and Lander (Dec. 19) will return the favor and visit Cuddy Arena. The Lander contest is Future Bulldog Day, with area fifth-graders invited to the University campus for a full day of activities in conjunction with the basketball game.
The SAC schedule resumes in January. Wingate’s final home game is Feb. 27, against SAC foe Lincoln Memorial. The Food Lion SAC tournament begins on March 6 with first-round games at the sites of the higher seeds. The SAC final four will be played at Furman’s Timmons Arena on March 9-10.
“We are looking forward to our schedule preparing us for the conference regular season,” Hancock says. “The opportunity to play our first two games at home is very good…playing good teams will only make us better…and prepare us down the road for the conference and NCAA tournaments.”
