carey-10-7-15.jpg
Notebook: WVU Opens Season with First Practice
October 07, 2015 02:53 PM | Women's Basketball
The West Virginia University women’s basketball team opened the 2015-16 season with its first practice on Wednesday afternoon. The Mountaineers are now 38 days away from the regular-season tipoff against Delaware State on Saturday, November 14. Here are a few things to know about the Mountaineers, as preseason practice officially opens up.
Youth Abounds
West Virginia is one of the nation’s youngest teams by percentage of scholarship newcomers. The Mountaineers have 15 players on scholarship and five scholarship players returning. WVU’s 67 percent of scholarship newcomers is tied for fifth nationally with Stetson. Marquette leads the nation with 82 percent followed by Louisiana Tech with 75 percent of scholarship newcomers. Arkansas and Portland State are tied for third nationally with 69 percent.
West Virginia is one of the nation’s youngest teams by percentage of scholarship newcomers. The Mountaineers have 15 players on scholarship and five scholarship players returning. WVU’s 67 percent of scholarship newcomers is tied for fifth nationally with Stetson. Marquette leads the nation with 82 percent followed by Louisiana Tech with 75 percent of scholarship newcomers. Arkansas and Portland State are tied for third nationally with 69 percent.
New Faces Ready to Step Up
With the Mountaineers having four returnees available to play this season and 11 newcomers, Coach Mike Carey understands that the team must develop a few positions and help create depth for some of his well-known starters.
“We have to develop a point guard,” noted Carey. “We have to establish a backup center. Those are two areas we need to shore up. We have more numbers this year, where we will be able to rotate some more. Especially at the guard positions. Even at the four position, we felt like with Averee Fields going out we had to shore that up. We feel very comfortable with who we have playing those positions.”
Montgomery Ready for Next Phase
Lanay Montgomery performed well during the Mountaineers’ four-game trip to Europe. The Pittsburgh native averaged 10 points and 5.8 rebounds during WVU’s swing in London, Barcelona and Madrid.
“Going overseas gave me a lot of confidence offensively,” noted Montgomery.
Holmes Named Preseason All-Big 12
On Wednesday, senior Bria Holmes garnered Preseason All-Big 12 honors as chosen by the league’s coaches. Holmes is a two-time All-Big 12 First Team unanimous selection and a WBCA All-America Honorable Mention. Last season, the New Haven, Connecticut, native tallied 716 points and grabbed 169 rebounds in 38 games. Her single-season point total ranked second all-time in program history behind Rosemary Kosiorek’s 730 set in 1992.
Holmes’ 18.8 points per game ranked 42nd nationally last season, and she ranked in seven different Big 12 statistical categories. The senior has accumulated 1,412 points in her first three seasons, which is 17th on WVU’s all-time scoring ledger.
Season Tickets on Sale Now
Season tickets for the 2015-16 season are on sale now. Reserved seats are $75. Fans can purchase tickets by visiting WVUGAME.com or by calling the ticket office at 1-800-WVU GAME.
Carey’s Crew
All Mountaineer fans eighth grade and under are encouraged to join the Carey’s Crew. For $5, members receive an official Carey’s Crew t-shirt, membership card, free admission to all regular-season home games, a birthday card and other fun-filled adventures. For more information, call 304-393-3508 or email WVUWomensBasketball@mail.wvu.edu.
Hoops ‘n Heels
Hoops ‘n Heels membership is also open. Members are given invitations to members-only events, tickets to annual team awards banquet and official Hoops ‘n Heels apparel. The Mountaineer membership is only $160 and includes one season ticket. For more information, call 304-393-3508 or email WVUWomensBasketball@mail.wvu.edu.
NCAA Second Round Press Conference | Kellogg, Harrison, Shaw
Monday, March 23
NCAA First Round Recap
Sunday, March 22
Mark Kellogg, Meme Wheeler & Jordan Harrison | NCAA First Round vs. Miami (OH)
Saturday, March 21
NCAA Tournament Trailer
Friday, March 20
