2020-21 Prospectus
MOSCOW, Idaho – Official practices are up and running for Idaho women's basketball, as the Vandals look to reclaim a spot in the Big Sky Conference Championship this season. The Vandals finished 22-9 last season, ending the year on a seven-game win streak. After weeks of individual workouts due to Covid-19 health and safety protocols, Idaho was finally able to get on the court together as teams from all around the country began official practice today.
"Terry [Gawlik] and President [Scott] Green have been on top of this from the get-go," said Head Coach
Jon Newlee. "I feel like we are ahead of everything right now and our confidence is very high. We are just excited to get out on the floor all together and get after it."
The start of practice today begins the preseason for the Vandals which will consist of 30 practices before the official start date of Nov. 25
th per the NCAA.
The schedule for the 2020-21 season is to be announced.
"It feels great to be back," said
Gina Marxen "We didn't have our postseason workouts like normal last season. Being back here and being able to practice together and find that chemistry again is really exciting."
The Vandals return 10 student athletes from last year's 22-win squad including Big Sky All-Conference selections
Gina Marxen and
Beyonce Bea. Joining the group of ten returners is four newcomers including transfers
Rylee Alexander and
Gabi Harrington.
Alexander, a junior, joins the Vandals from Pratt Community College in Kansas where she played two seasons for the Beavers. Alexander averaged 10.9 points and 5.4 rebounds per game while at PCC.
Harrington played three seasons at Montana from 2016-20 before joining the Vandals. The graduate student from Boise, Idaho played in 89 career games for the Lady Griz and averaged 7.5 points and 4.4 rebounds per game.
Joining the transfers are two freshmen;
Sydney Gandy and
Paris Atchley.
Gandy, a native of Long Beach, California, was the 2019-20 CIF Division 2AA Player of the Year during her senior season at Orangewood Academy.
Atchley, a native of Yorba Linda, California played for La Jolla Country Day High School in 2019-20. La Jolla Country Day was named the 2019-20 National Champion by Maxpreps.com after finishing with a 32-1 overall record.
The Vandals roster 14 players this season, adding depth to a team that lost graduated just two seniors a year ago.
"We are going to have a lot more depth this year. I love our two transfers Gabi and Rylee," said Newlee. "I also love our two freshmen. I think everyone will love watching them play. They can both score and defend well. I think we will be a much more physical basketball team this year, but a much quicker team as well."
Defense was a staple of the Vandals last season holding opponents to a conference-low 58.8 points per game. Defense will remain a pillar of this year's team.
"I thought we did a great job defensively last year, leading the league, but I think we are even better defensively this year," said Newlee "I think we have more firepower as well as you go down the lineup 1-14."
For the latest on Idaho Women's Basketball visit govandals.com and follow @VandalsWBB on twitter.
Comments from Coach Newlee:
Comments from Gina Marxen and Beyonce Bea:
