(Gilbert, AZ) Coming off a conference tournament semifinal loss in their first season as a tournament qualifier, the Park University Gilbert women’s basketball team enters their 4th season on a collision course with the rest of the California Pacific Conference. Led by head coach Jeff Fore, the Buccaneers competed their way to the #4 seed in the conference tournament last year, finishing the Covid challenged season with a 16-10 record, going 6-3 in limited conference play.
An offensive juggernaut, the Bucs finished top three in field goal and three-point percentages in the Cal Pac, and consistently found ways to shoot their way to victory. Great shooting made up for the issues from the free throw line, and scoring was headlined by Cal Pac Freshman of the Year Kayla Schroeder, who looks to build on an accurate shooting season in ’21-22. And even better, the Bucs return not only Schroeder, but offensive leader Macy Markus, who finished in the top five in the conference in points per game.
Even after losing two of their rebounding threats in Haley Valencia and Jasmine Kelly, the Bucs will be bolstered down low with the addition of Las Vegas, N.M. native Jazmyne Jenkins, who will pair alongside returner Madison Chappell. Jenkins, who transferred this offseason from the University of the Southwest, has already shown her ability under the bucket, with two double-doubles in the Bucs first four games, including 13 rebounds against Division I Utah Valley earlier this month. Chappell, who averaged 22 minutes per game in the ’21-22 season, is a scoring machine for the Bucs, giving more point potential to an already potent offense.
However, these scoring phenoms need the ball, and that can be left to the dime delivery services of Jayla Reliford. The presumed point guard, Reliford will once again get the opportunity to ameliorate her assist totals, while also being a reliable option from the charity stripe. Newcomer Allison DeBerry should also see opportunities from the one, as the transfer from Centralia CC looks to find her place in the Bucs high-powered offense.
Kiana Turenne will return for her second Bucs season as a top-end defensive pairing for Fore’s squad, and will be joined as a defensive demon by freshman Katelyn Calderon. Standing 5-5, Turenne can guard any of the guard or forward positions, and Calderon, standing 5-10, should shut down offensive threats at the four and the five. These two, leading an aggressive Buccaneers defense, are sure to flatline offensive pressure from any team.
The Buccaneers women’s basketball team opens up conference play on December 1st at Simpson University in a rematch of last year’s conference quarterfinals. The first home conference game for the Bucs takes place on December 8th at 5:30pm against Antelope Valley. All home games are played at Bell Bank Park.
Press Release courtesy of Park University – Preston English
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