The Blackburn women’s basketball team has a history of success, winning five consecutive SLIAC titles in the early 1990s. Head women’s basketball coach Katie Fonseca is excited about the upcoming season. “The culture and attitude of the team is awesome. The energy is electric,” she said. The Beavers are in transition right now, and with many new faces, it could be a step in the right direction.
Head women’s basketball coach Katie Fonseca.
Spectators such as Robert Fagg, who has watched Fonseca coach games, say that she is very passionate and pushes her players to never give up. She is loud, enthusiastic and authoritative. Even though the Beavers were 2-23 last season, with the two wins coming during conference play, Fonseca is the kind of coach the program needs to move forward.
Last season was Fonseca’s first year coaching the Beavers. As the women walk out of practices, optimism and intensity can be seen in their body language and attitudes. “The women genuinely care about each other and want to succeed and because of this they push themselves to be the best on the court,” said Fonseca. The increase in roster size has returners like junior Candace Pollock feeling optimistic about the upcoming season. “People should be ready to expect something different from last year. We have doubled the size of our roster and with our talent, we will be a force to be reckoned with,” she said.
The team is loaded with 11 freshmen and transfer players. Last season, the Beavers had eight women on the team and were often plagued with injuries. With more women on the roster, the team will have the opportunity to rest their starters, and stay competitive at the end of games. Pollock said that there is more cohesion on the team this year. “I expect a complete 180 from last season,” she said.
The Beavers are returning Aleisha Stiltner and Pollock from their starting lineup last season. Angela Andrews is coming off last season’s head injury and looking to contribute at center. Gariel Pierce and Elizabeth Johnston are two returning forwards looking to build off their freshman campaigns.
The Beavers start their season at home against St. Mary of the Woods (Indiana) on Nov. 15. They will follow up their first home game with the Wheaton College Tournament in Wheaton, Illinois, on Nov. 18.