The Clock is About To Strike Midnight
10/12/2001 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
fourth best turn around at the NCAA Division I level, lastwinter. This season, first-year head coach Robin Potera islooking to build on that success and take the Bobcats to aneven higher level.
Potera, who brings her own brand of energy and enthusiasm
from a successful two-year stint at Texas Wesleyan, is looking
to instill a sense of heart, desire and determination that has
never been seen before in a MSU women’s basketball team.
"We’ll be extremely intense," Potera said. "We’re going to play
at 101-percent. Very few teams give 100-percent, and we’re
asking our players to give that little bit more."
According to Potera, she wants the 2001-02 edition of Bobcat
basketball to entertain with effort. "We’ll be a very intelligent team," Potera added. "We’ll be a
very strategically minded program and we will definitely capitalize on our strengths and
maximize our opponents weaknesses."
Montana State returns a strong nucleus from last year’s squad that posted an 18-10 overall
mark and earned a first-round bye at the Big Sky Conference tournament, after finishing the
regular season league slate in second place with an 11-5 ledger.
"The program accomplished some great things last year," Potera said. "Now, we want to
challenge them even more. We believe that we can become a top 25 program."
The challenge for Potera and the Bobcats will come early, as the Montana State basketball
squad faces an arduous schedule that includes Washington and Oklahoma. The Huskies took a
magical ride to the ‘Elite Eight’ last winter, while OU has been picked No. 1 in numerous
preseason polls. Add to that games against Texas Christian, Wyoming, UW-Milwaukee and
Ole Miss it becomes quite apparent that the Bobcat women’s basketball program is ready to
take the next step towards national recognition.
For the Bobcats, this season’s success will rely heavily on aspects of the game in which they
alone control. Heart, desire and determination will ooze from Worthing-ton Arena this winter.
"When the fans leave our games and see the effort, they will not forget they way we played,"
Potera said. "It will always serve as a sense of pride for us and will be the hallmark of Bobcat
women’s basketball."
The Breakdowns:
Point Guard
Rebecca Alvidrez, 5-7, sr.,
Candis Wilcox, 5-8, jr.,
Kayla Frize, 5-7, fr.,
Tabitha Wesley, 5-6, fr.,
One of the main reasons for MSU’s success last season was the play of point guard Rebecca
Alvidrez. Alvidrez, a native of Albuquerque, New Mexico, averaged 8.8 points, five rebounds
and 5.46 assists per game, last winter. For her efforts, she was a first-team All-Big Sky
Conference selection and was named the league’s newcomer of the year.
‘Rebecca is a proven winner," Potera said. "She has all the tools and there’s no doubt she can
run the show. We’ll ask her to score a little more this year, as well."
Wilcox, a transfer from Ricks College and former teammate of Jessica Blake’s will provide
stabilty and quality depth behind Alvidrez.
Last year, she led Ricks to a 26-4 overall mark and averaged 9.4 points and 5.1 assists per
game.
"Candis is a very steady player,"Potera said. "She is fundamentally sound and does a nice job
running the offense."
Montana prep standout Kayla Frize and Texas all-state performer Tabitha Wesley will also
look to contribute this season.
Frize, a four-time first-team all-state selection, averaged over 17 points per game as a senior
and guided Miles City to three state championships.
"Kayla has a lot of tenacity," Potera said. "She has a strong desire to win and I like her
scorers’ mentality."
Wesley, a graduate of DeSoto High School in Dallas, averaged 11.6 points, while shooting 49
percent from the field. For her efforts, she was a second-team all-state selection.
"Tabitha is a spark-plug and will help turn-up our defensive intensity,"Potera said. "She is very
quick and is an intelligent player that comes from a high school with a tremendous tradition."
Shooting Guard/
Small Forward
Jinnifer Jeresek, 5-10, sr.,
April Andrist, 5-6, jr.,
Bertha Collins, 5-10, jr.,
Jana Smith, 5-7, so.,
Anna Waugh, 5-8, so.,
Kati Burrows, 5-10, fr.,
Brandi Lewis, 5-6, fr.,
"Our 2’s and 3’s are interchangeable," Potera said. "In addition, some of our point guards will
also be moved into the shooting guard spot-- dependent on the situation."
One player who saw time at three different positions last winter was senior Jinnifer Jeresek.
Due to injury, Jeresek came off the bench and started in seven games for the Bobcats. On the
season, she averaged 6.1 points and 3.0 rebounds. Jeresek notched a career-high 18 points
against Portland State.
"Jinn gives us great senior leadership," Potera said. "She does anything to get the job done.
Jinn makes the players around her better and I like her aggressiveness."
Another upperclassmen that will add stability to the program is April Andrist. After making the
team as a redshirt freshman three years ago, Andrist played in 24 games for the Bobcats last
winter.
"April is a leader by example," Potera said. "She is a very positive person and has a lot of
heart and desire. April is a very poised player."
Three transfers, Bertha Collins, Jana Smith and Anna Waugh, will also look to make a big
contribution this season.
Collins, a transfer from Tyler (TX) Junior College, averaged 5.6 points and 2.2 rebounds last
season. She was a member of TJC’s national championship team as a freshman, after prepping
at Nimitz High School in Houston.
"Bertha is a superior athlete," Potera said. "She’s got good speed, can penetrate and is very
physical, as well."
Smith, a transfer from MSU-Northern, sat out last season after averaging 15 points, 4.3
rebounds and 2.3 assists per game with the Skylights.
"Along with Bertha, Jana is probably one of our best athletes," Potera said. "She can get out
and run the break, while also having the ablitiy to hit the open shot. Jana has good court vision
and is a tremendous passer. She’s the whole package."
Waugh, a transfer from Indiana University, will sit out this season due to NCAA rules. Last
season, Waugh averaged 6.5 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists for the Hoosiers. She
averaged 10.5 points per game in IU’s two WNIT games last March.
"Anna has a head for the game," Potera said. "She is fundamentally sound and is a proven
winner. Anna loves to compete and brings a certain toughness to the court."
Local product Kati Burrows, who sat out last winter as a redshirt, will be asked to contribute
this season.
As a senior at Bozeman High School, she averaged 15.6 points
and 5.5 rebounds per game, while leading the Hawks to
back-to-back Montana Class AA state titles.
"Kati is a very strong player that is offensive minded," Potera
said. "She’s been very impressive this fall and I think she has
something to prove. Kati certainly has big game potential."
True-freshman Brandi Lewis was MSU’s last signee and brings
incredible shooting range to the Bobcat attack.
A native of Siloam Springs, Arkansas, Lewis was a Street and
Smith All-America honorable mention, after averaging 22.1
points and 6.4 rebounds as a senior.
"Brandi is another player with strong fundamental skills," Potera said. "She was a late find for
us and her shooting range will really help us break the zones we’ll face this year."
Power Forward/
Center
Jessica Blake, 6-2, sr.,
Isabel Stubbs, 6-2, jr.,
Cassie Johnson, 6-2, jr.,
Ember Harberts, 6-3, fr.,
Like the shooting guard/small forward spots, MSU’s 4’s and 5’s will move around, as well.
MSU’s starting duo of Jessica Blake and Isabel Stubbs returns for another season and will be
backed up by a pair of talented post players.
Blake, who transfered to MSU from Ricks College, played and started in all 28 games last
winter. She averaged 11.2 points and 7.0 rebounds per game, while shooting 49 percent from
the field. For her efforts, Blake earned All-Big Sky Conference honorable mention kudos. She
was also named Big Sky Conference Player of the Week on two occasions, as well.
"Jessica has an uncanny ability to score,"Potera said. "She has worked to develop an outside
shot and that will make her an even better player. Jessica will also be the one getting us going
on defense and we’re expecting great things from her this season."
Isabel Stubbs also garnered honorable mention All-Big Sky Conference accolades for her play
last winter. The native of Ayr, Australia, averaged 13.5 points and 7.1 rebounds, while
shooting 52 percent from the field.
"We’d like to see nothing but double-doubles from Isabel this season," Potera said. "She is a
nice complement to Jessica. She had great hands and real aggressive nature."
Junior Cassie Johnson is looking to have a break-out year for the Bobcats, after playing in 20
games last season.
"We feel Cassie is going to have an outstanding year," Potera said. "She has really worked on
her range and she’s got the ability to put some points on the board. Cassie is a good athlete
and she can really get up and down the floor."
Ember Harberts sat out last winter as a redshirt. The native of Florence, Mont., averaged 17.3
points and 7.1 points as a senior. As a junior, Harberts led FHS to the Montana Class B state
title.
"Ember is a true center and has great size," Potera said. "She is making steady progress and is
a strong rebounder. Ember also possesses the ability to change an opponent’s shot and we’ll
need her contribution this winter."
For Potera and crew, this season will hinge on how fast the chemistry between the veteransand newcomers can come together.
"I really like the progress we made and the effort of our athletes this fall," Potera said. "I thinkwe’ll have the intensity it takes to be successful as well as the heart, desire and determination."
There’s no doubt they’ll entertain with effort.
Potera, who brings her own brand of energy and enthusiasm
from a successful two-year stint at Texas Wesleyan, is looking
to instill a sense of heart, desire and determination that has
never been seen before in a MSU women’s basketball team.
"We’ll be extremely intense," Potera said. "We’re going to play
at 101-percent. Very few teams give 100-percent, and we’re
asking our players to give that little bit more."
According to Potera, she wants the 2001-02 edition of Bobcat
basketball to entertain with effort. "We’ll be a very intelligent team," Potera added. "We’ll be a
very strategically minded program and we will definitely capitalize on our strengths and
maximize our opponents weaknesses."
Montana State returns a strong nucleus from last year’s squad that posted an 18-10 overall
mark and earned a first-round bye at the Big Sky Conference tournament, after finishing the
regular season league slate in second place with an 11-5 ledger.
"The program accomplished some great things last year," Potera said. "Now, we want to
challenge them even more. We believe that we can become a top 25 program."
The challenge for Potera and the Bobcats will come early, as the Montana State basketball
squad faces an arduous schedule that includes Washington and Oklahoma. The Huskies took a
magical ride to the ‘Elite Eight’ last winter, while OU has been picked No. 1 in numerous
preseason polls. Add to that games against Texas Christian, Wyoming, UW-Milwaukee and
Ole Miss it becomes quite apparent that the Bobcat women’s basketball program is ready to
take the next step towards national recognition.
For the Bobcats, this season’s success will rely heavily on aspects of the game in which they
alone control. Heart, desire and determination will ooze from Worthing-ton Arena this winter.
"When the fans leave our games and see the effort, they will not forget they way we played,"
Potera said. "It will always serve as a sense of pride for us and will be the hallmark of Bobcat
women’s basketball."
The Breakdowns:
Point Guard
Rebecca Alvidrez, 5-7, sr.,
Candis Wilcox, 5-8, jr.,
Kayla Frize, 5-7, fr.,
Tabitha Wesley, 5-6, fr.,
One of the main reasons for MSU’s success last season was the play of point guard Rebecca
Alvidrez. Alvidrez, a native of Albuquerque, New Mexico, averaged 8.8 points, five rebounds
and 5.46 assists per game, last winter. For her efforts, she was a first-team All-Big Sky
Conference selection and was named the league’s newcomer of the year.
‘Rebecca is a proven winner," Potera said. "She has all the tools and there’s no doubt she can
run the show. We’ll ask her to score a little more this year, as well."
Wilcox, a transfer from Ricks College and former teammate of Jessica Blake’s will provide
stabilty and quality depth behind Alvidrez.
Last year, she led Ricks to a 26-4 overall mark and averaged 9.4 points and 5.1 assists per
game.
"Candis is a very steady player,"Potera said. "She is fundamentally sound and does a nice job
running the offense."
Montana prep standout Kayla Frize and Texas all-state performer Tabitha Wesley will also
look to contribute this season.
Frize, a four-time first-team all-state selection, averaged over 17 points per game as a senior
and guided Miles City to three state championships.
"Kayla has a lot of tenacity," Potera said. "She has a strong desire to win and I like her
scorers’ mentality."
Wesley, a graduate of DeSoto High School in Dallas, averaged 11.6 points, while shooting 49
percent from the field. For her efforts, she was a second-team all-state selection.
"Tabitha is a spark-plug and will help turn-up our defensive intensity,"Potera said. "She is very
quick and is an intelligent player that comes from a high school with a tremendous tradition."
Shooting Guard/
Small Forward
Jinnifer Jeresek, 5-10, sr.,
April Andrist, 5-6, jr.,
Bertha Collins, 5-10, jr.,
Jana Smith, 5-7, so.,
Anna Waugh, 5-8, so.,
Kati Burrows, 5-10, fr.,
Brandi Lewis, 5-6, fr.,
"Our 2’s and 3’s are interchangeable," Potera said. "In addition, some of our point guards will
also be moved into the shooting guard spot-- dependent on the situation."
One player who saw time at three different positions last winter was senior Jinnifer Jeresek.
Due to injury, Jeresek came off the bench and started in seven games for the Bobcats. On the
season, she averaged 6.1 points and 3.0 rebounds. Jeresek notched a career-high 18 points
against Portland State.
"Jinn gives us great senior leadership," Potera said. "She does anything to get the job done.
Jinn makes the players around her better and I like her aggressiveness."
Another upperclassmen that will add stability to the program is April Andrist. After making the
team as a redshirt freshman three years ago, Andrist played in 24 games for the Bobcats last
winter.
"April is a leader by example," Potera said. "She is a very positive person and has a lot of
heart and desire. April is a very poised player."
Three transfers, Bertha Collins, Jana Smith and Anna Waugh, will also look to make a big
contribution this season.
Collins, a transfer from Tyler (TX) Junior College, averaged 5.6 points and 2.2 rebounds last
season. She was a member of TJC’s national championship team as a freshman, after prepping
at Nimitz High School in Houston.
"Bertha is a superior athlete," Potera said. "She’s got good speed, can penetrate and is very
physical, as well."
Smith, a transfer from MSU-Northern, sat out last season after averaging 15 points, 4.3
rebounds and 2.3 assists per game with the Skylights.
"Along with Bertha, Jana is probably one of our best athletes," Potera said. "She can get out
and run the break, while also having the ablitiy to hit the open shot. Jana has good court vision
and is a tremendous passer. She’s the whole package."
Waugh, a transfer from Indiana University, will sit out this season due to NCAA rules. Last
season, Waugh averaged 6.5 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists for the Hoosiers. She
averaged 10.5 points per game in IU’s two WNIT games last March.
"Anna has a head for the game," Potera said. "She is fundamentally sound and is a proven
winner. Anna loves to compete and brings a certain toughness to the court."
Local product Kati Burrows, who sat out last winter as a redshirt, will be asked to contribute
this season.
As a senior at Bozeman High School, she averaged 15.6 points
and 5.5 rebounds per game, while leading the Hawks to
back-to-back Montana Class AA state titles.
"Kati is a very strong player that is offensive minded," Potera
said. "She’s been very impressive this fall and I think she has
something to prove. Kati certainly has big game potential."
True-freshman Brandi Lewis was MSU’s last signee and brings
incredible shooting range to the Bobcat attack.
A native of Siloam Springs, Arkansas, Lewis was a Street and
Smith All-America honorable mention, after averaging 22.1
points and 6.4 rebounds as a senior.
"Brandi is another player with strong fundamental skills," Potera said. "She was a late find for
us and her shooting range will really help us break the zones we’ll face this year."
Power Forward/
Center
Jessica Blake, 6-2, sr.,
Isabel Stubbs, 6-2, jr.,
Cassie Johnson, 6-2, jr.,
Ember Harberts, 6-3, fr.,
Like the shooting guard/small forward spots, MSU’s 4’s and 5’s will move around, as well.
MSU’s starting duo of Jessica Blake and Isabel Stubbs returns for another season and will be
backed up by a pair of talented post players.
Blake, who transfered to MSU from Ricks College, played and started in all 28 games last
winter. She averaged 11.2 points and 7.0 rebounds per game, while shooting 49 percent from
the field. For her efforts, Blake earned All-Big Sky Conference honorable mention kudos. She
was also named Big Sky Conference Player of the Week on two occasions, as well.
"Jessica has an uncanny ability to score,"Potera said. "She has worked to develop an outside
shot and that will make her an even better player. Jessica will also be the one getting us going
on defense and we’re expecting great things from her this season."
Isabel Stubbs also garnered honorable mention All-Big Sky Conference accolades for her play
last winter. The native of Ayr, Australia, averaged 13.5 points and 7.1 rebounds, while
shooting 52 percent from the field.
"We’d like to see nothing but double-doubles from Isabel this season," Potera said. "She is a
nice complement to Jessica. She had great hands and real aggressive nature."
Junior Cassie Johnson is looking to have a break-out year for the Bobcats, after playing in 20
games last season.
"We feel Cassie is going to have an outstanding year," Potera said. "She has really worked on
her range and she’s got the ability to put some points on the board. Cassie is a good athlete
and she can really get up and down the floor."
Ember Harberts sat out last winter as a redshirt. The native of Florence, Mont., averaged 17.3
points and 7.1 points as a senior. As a junior, Harberts led FHS to the Montana Class B state
title.
"Ember is a true center and has great size," Potera said. "She is making steady progress and is
a strong rebounder. Ember also possesses the ability to change an opponent’s shot and we’ll
need her contribution this winter."
For Potera and crew, this season will hinge on how fast the chemistry between the veteransand newcomers can come together.
"I really like the progress we made and the effort of our athletes this fall," Potera said. "I thinkwe’ll have the intensity it takes to be successful as well as the heart, desire and determination."
There’s no doubt they’ll entertain with effort.
Wednesday, June 10
Friday, March 27
Monday, March 23
Friday, March 13
