Season Preview: Wynn Era Begins at Washington
October 13, 2017 | Women's Basketball
When Jody Wynn was formally introduced as the 11th head coach in the history of Washington women's basketball at a press conference on April 17, the excitement was palpable. So was the feeling that a new era was about to begin for the Huskies on Montlake.
Having now landed at Washington with over 20 years of coaching experience, Wynn takes over a program that made the NCAA tournament in each of the last three seasons, including two trips to the Sweet 16 and the program's first Final Four in 2016.
All things considered, Washington will have to reload after losing 77-percent of its scoring and five of its top six leading scorers from last season.
An up-tempo, equal-opportunity philosophy will characterize the style of play for Wynn's Huskies. Last season, her team averaged 9.6 steals per game and forced over 20 turnovers which was 18th best in the nation.
"We like to dictate the tempo and play 10, 11, 12 players," said Wynn. "We generate a lot of points from our defense by disrupting offenses and pressing 94-feet. After every made basket, we're in a different kind of press.
"Offensively, we like to spread the floor, move the ball and play team basketball. We feel if you're good enough to get a scholarship, you're good enough to shoot the ball. We play in a fun system. Every player I've coached really enjoys playing with the freedom in which we allow them to play."
Helping to usher in the new era for Wynn and her coaching staff will be six returning letterwinners from a squad that won a program-record 29 games last year. The Huskies also welcome seven new student-athletes who have yet to don the purple and gold. Making up that group are five freshmen, one junior college transfer and redshirt freshman GiGi Garcia who sat out last season with a knee injury.
"We offer a fair opportunity to come in and compete for immediate playing time," said Wynn. "We like versatility and don't want our players confined to one position. We develop complete basketball players rather than positions. Our ideal player is someone who can do a little bit of everything and we coach them that way every day in practice."
Redshirt junior forward Hanna Johnson is the only returner with any extensive playing experience. Johnson appeared in all 35 games last season, making six starts and averaging 3.5 points and 3.7 rebounds per contest.
"There is nothing that Hannah won't do to get better," said Wynn. "She is a tireless worker, relentless in her routine to improve each day. She gives maximum effort in everything she does, and her attitude and leadership are what this coaching staff value. She is both a vocal leader and leads by example, and has worked to become a more versatile player. She has dedicated herself to becoming a fit, well-conditioned athlete that will payoff for us."
Washington also returns seniors Jenna Moser and Mackenzie Wieburg. Moser, who began her career as a practice player but has since earned a scholarship and spot on the game roster, played in nine games in 2016-17 while Wieburg, a walk-on, saw action in 24 contests, averaging 3.2 minutes per game.
"We were so happy to award Jenna a scholarship this year," said Wynn. "She is a leader in our program, both on and off the court. Jenna is a tireless worker, a terrific teammate, and extremely coachable. Jenna has a great motor, and plays very hard.
"Mack is a senior who is now ready to step into a leadership role," said Wynn. "She is a hard worker who can shoot the 3 and understands what it takes to be successful at this level."
Also returning in the backcourt are sophomore guards Mai-Loni Henson and Amber Melgoza who are expected to see increased minutes after coming off the bench sparingly as freshmen. In their rookie debuts, Henson averaged 2.9 points in 10.9 minutes per game while Melgoza averaged 2.1 points in 7.9 minutes.
Despite limited minutes last year, both Henson and Melgoza showed they are capable of scoring. Henson scored a career-high 12 points in the season-opener against Eastern Washington and was a spark off the bench against then-No. 1 Notre Dame, scoring eight points and dishing out three assists. Melgoza scored a career-high 10 points with a pair of 3-pointers against CSUN.
"Mai's versatility is a great match for our system," said Wynn. "She has the ability to handle and to be a good decision maker on the floor. She can score the ball in a variety of ways, defend all over the court, and she is a strong player who is excited for her opportunity to compete."
"Amber is a tough, physical guard who loves contact," said Wynn. "She can really score the ball, and has learned how to work at this level. As a former California state leading scorer, Amber can get to the basket, draw contact, and shoot the 3."
Returning in the frontcourt are Johnson and junior Deja Strother. Strother saw action in 25 games, averaging 7.3 minutes per game last season. The Kenmore, Wash. native tied a career-high with 11 points against Grand Canyon in just 11 minutes of play. The former McDonald's All-American pulled down career-high 10 rebounds to go along with seven points against Boise State.
"As a former high school All-American, Deja is expected to be an enforcer in the middle," said Wynn. "She's a big, strong, powerful center with great hands and a soft touch around the rim."
Freshmen guards Kierra Collier, Alexis Griggsby and Missy Peterson and forwards Fapou Semebene and Khayla Rooks will also look to contribute in their rookie debuts, while Garcia, a 6-2 forward, will make her debut after redshirting last year with a knee injury. Sophomore guard Montana Hagstom joins the Huskies as a transfer from Bellevue College, but will miss the season due to injury.
"We are very pleased with the overall depth of our freshmen class," said Wynn. "They are quality young women who are very coachable and work extremely hard. Their improvement has been constant, and they each have tremendous potential as versatile players."
"Although Gigi is sidelined another season, her work ethic and effort to rehab and improve her skill set is outstanding," said Wynn. "Gigi is extremely valuable to our team; is a voice that we all respect and has a heart of gold."
In addition to the loss of four seniors and one transfer, the Huskies will also be without the services of three other players from last season's squad due to injury: Kelli Kingma and Brianna Ruiz have medically retired while Natalie Romeo is out indefinitely due to medical reasons.
Washington opens the 2017-18 season on Sunday, Nov. 12 against Idaho State at 1:00 p.m. at Alaska Airlines Arena. For information about tickets, click here.
Having now landed at Washington with over 20 years of coaching experience, Wynn takes over a program that made the NCAA tournament in each of the last three seasons, including two trips to the Sweet 16 and the program's first Final Four in 2016.
All things considered, Washington will have to reload after losing 77-percent of its scoring and five of its top six leading scorers from last season.
An up-tempo, equal-opportunity philosophy will characterize the style of play for Wynn's Huskies. Last season, her team averaged 9.6 steals per game and forced over 20 turnovers which was 18th best in the nation.
"We like to dictate the tempo and play 10, 11, 12 players," said Wynn. "We generate a lot of points from our defense by disrupting offenses and pressing 94-feet. After every made basket, we're in a different kind of press.
"Offensively, we like to spread the floor, move the ball and play team basketball. We feel if you're good enough to get a scholarship, you're good enough to shoot the ball. We play in a fun system. Every player I've coached really enjoys playing with the freedom in which we allow them to play."
Helping to usher in the new era for Wynn and her coaching staff will be six returning letterwinners from a squad that won a program-record 29 games last year. The Huskies also welcome seven new student-athletes who have yet to don the purple and gold. Making up that group are five freshmen, one junior college transfer and redshirt freshman GiGi Garcia who sat out last season with a knee injury.
"We offer a fair opportunity to come in and compete for immediate playing time," said Wynn. "We like versatility and don't want our players confined to one position. We develop complete basketball players rather than positions. Our ideal player is someone who can do a little bit of everything and we coach them that way every day in practice."
Redshirt junior forward Hanna Johnson is the only returner with any extensive playing experience. Johnson appeared in all 35 games last season, making six starts and averaging 3.5 points and 3.7 rebounds per contest.
"There is nothing that Hannah won't do to get better," said Wynn. "She is a tireless worker, relentless in her routine to improve each day. She gives maximum effort in everything she does, and her attitude and leadership are what this coaching staff value. She is both a vocal leader and leads by example, and has worked to become a more versatile player. She has dedicated herself to becoming a fit, well-conditioned athlete that will payoff for us."
Washington also returns seniors Jenna Moser and Mackenzie Wieburg. Moser, who began her career as a practice player but has since earned a scholarship and spot on the game roster, played in nine games in 2016-17 while Wieburg, a walk-on, saw action in 24 contests, averaging 3.2 minutes per game.
"We were so happy to award Jenna a scholarship this year," said Wynn. "She is a leader in our program, both on and off the court. Jenna is a tireless worker, a terrific teammate, and extremely coachable. Jenna has a great motor, and plays very hard.
"Mack is a senior who is now ready to step into a leadership role," said Wynn. "She is a hard worker who can shoot the 3 and understands what it takes to be successful at this level."
Also returning in the backcourt are sophomore guards Mai-Loni Henson and Amber Melgoza who are expected to see increased minutes after coming off the bench sparingly as freshmen. In their rookie debuts, Henson averaged 2.9 points in 10.9 minutes per game while Melgoza averaged 2.1 points in 7.9 minutes.
Despite limited minutes last year, both Henson and Melgoza showed they are capable of scoring. Henson scored a career-high 12 points in the season-opener against Eastern Washington and was a spark off the bench against then-No. 1 Notre Dame, scoring eight points and dishing out three assists. Melgoza scored a career-high 10 points with a pair of 3-pointers against CSUN.
"Mai's versatility is a great match for our system," said Wynn. "She has the ability to handle and to be a good decision maker on the floor. She can score the ball in a variety of ways, defend all over the court, and she is a strong player who is excited for her opportunity to compete."
"Amber is a tough, physical guard who loves contact," said Wynn. "She can really score the ball, and has learned how to work at this level. As a former California state leading scorer, Amber can get to the basket, draw contact, and shoot the 3."
Returning in the frontcourt are Johnson and junior Deja Strother. Strother saw action in 25 games, averaging 7.3 minutes per game last season. The Kenmore, Wash. native tied a career-high with 11 points against Grand Canyon in just 11 minutes of play. The former McDonald's All-American pulled down career-high 10 rebounds to go along with seven points against Boise State.
"As a former high school All-American, Deja is expected to be an enforcer in the middle," said Wynn. "She's a big, strong, powerful center with great hands and a soft touch around the rim."
Freshmen guards Kierra Collier, Alexis Griggsby and Missy Peterson and forwards Fapou Semebene and Khayla Rooks will also look to contribute in their rookie debuts, while Garcia, a 6-2 forward, will make her debut after redshirting last year with a knee injury. Sophomore guard Montana Hagstom joins the Huskies as a transfer from Bellevue College, but will miss the season due to injury.
"We are very pleased with the overall depth of our freshmen class," said Wynn. "They are quality young women who are very coachable and work extremely hard. Their improvement has been constant, and they each have tremendous potential as versatile players."
"Although Gigi is sidelined another season, her work ethic and effort to rehab and improve her skill set is outstanding," said Wynn. "Gigi is extremely valuable to our team; is a voice that we all respect and has a heart of gold."
In addition to the loss of four seniors and one transfer, the Huskies will also be without the services of three other players from last season's squad due to injury: Kelli Kingma and Brianna Ruiz have medically retired while Natalie Romeo is out indefinitely due to medical reasons.
Washington opens the 2017-18 season on Sunday, Nov. 12 against Idaho State at 1:00 p.m. at Alaska Airlines Arena. For information about tickets, click here.
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