Wingate, N.C.----The Wingate University women's basketball team opens the 2013-14 campaign Monday, Nov. 11, hosting NCAA Division II Southeast Region rival UNC Pembroke for a 7 p.m. contest in Cuddy Arena. Wingate head coach Ann Hancock enters her second season on the Bulldog sideline.
 
In pre-season exhibition play, Wingate defeated Atlantic Coast Conference stalwart Wake Forest 69-66 in Winston-Salem Nov. 2. The Bulldogs also battled North Carolina at Carmichael Auditorium in Chapel Hill Nov. 5. Hancock sat down to talk about the upcoming season with the WU Sports Information department.
 
What are your thoughts are you complete pre-season practice?
 
"This has been an exciting pre-season. With the addition of new players, our depth is very exciting. Our transfer student-athletes give us experience…they will make an immediate impact. Our freshmen will come in and play key minutes for us."
 
"We have more options, especially on defense. We can do more things…and run more schemes. Last year, we had many games with margins in the 10-points or less range…and we ran out of gas in the second half. This year, we have more depth and more options…we will finish stronger."
 
What are the strengths of this team?
 
"We will rebound well…we will crash the boards hard. Our defensive intensity is one of our strengths as well. Our team is committed to success. We are focused and committed to reaching our goals."
 
Where are areas for improvement?
 
"In order for us to do well, we must limit our turnovers. We must protect the ball…and get good shots. We can't have too many empty possessions."
 
Coach Hancock on…
 
Kelli Bonner              
 
"Kelli knows the system with a year under her belt. She is very good to ask questions. Kelli loves the game. (The addition of) Amber Neely frees up Kelli to play her natural position. We will run screens and specific plays to get Kelli open."
 
Brooklyn Boston      
 
"Brooklyn is one of the hardest workers on our team. She makes her presence felt…by her effort and enthusiasm…on a daily basis. It will be hard for the coaching staff to keep her off the court. Brooklyn never takes a play off…she wants to get every rebound…and help the team in any way she can."
 
Sharee Boyd             
 
"Sharee is a difficult match-up for other teams. She has perimeter skills and post player size…a tough match-up. Sharee has been hurt in the pre-season…she is working her way back into game shape. We expect good things from Sharee."
 
Jasmine DeBerry      
 
"Jasmine has worked hard…her decision making is excellent. Jasmine is more consistent with her outside shooting. She is one of our most improved players."
 
Chantal Dunbar       
 
"Chantal is an unbelievable athlete…the best rebounder I've ever coached. She is relentless. Chantal has worked hard to extend her range…she is a threat on the perimeter…a complete outside and inside player."
 
Kayla Harris             
 
"Kayla has a high basketball IQ. She knows the game. Kayla wants to score the ball, but she wants to do everything she can to find ways for the team to be successful. Kayla can shoot the three, drive and rebound."
 
Brittany Hill              
 
"Brittany is redshirting for us this season. She is one of the hardest workers I have ever coached. It is not uncommon for her to come to the gym at 6 a.m. to get in an early morning workout. Her intensity level and pace of play are making a major impact on our practices. Every drill, every scrimmage, every shooting session…she maxes out. This is good for our younger players to see."
 
Alysia Hudson                      
 
"Alysia gives us size in the post…and she can step out and face the basket. Alysia is pushing Morgan in practice…and getting better and better in the process."
 
Janna Johnson                     
 
"Janna gives us depth at the perimeter positions. She is a good shooter who brings many skills to the table."
 
Tameka Lewis                      
 
"Tameka has size and length for a post player. She runs the floor well. Tameka is a defensive presence who can block shots."
 
Morgan McGee        
 
"Morgan is as athletic and talented as anyone on our team. She has learned how to play under control…she has learned to pick the moments when to use her strength and size. Morgan is more versatile and can play with her back to the basket. She is in the best shape of her life."
 
Amber Neely             
 
"Amber Neely is good distributor…She drives well and recognizes who needs the ball. Amber does a good job getting us organized. In the pre-season, she shot the ball well. Amber wants the ball…a true point guard."
 
Alex Tomlinson        
 
"Alex has a very good basketball IQ. She sees the floor well. Alex is a good passer who finds a way to get the ball to the right person. Alex has a championship mentality…she wants to win."
 
Shelby Tricoli                       
 
"Shelby shot the ball well in the pre-season. She is looking to find her niche. Shelby was our most improved player in our pre-season conditioning. She does the little things well…we look forward to see the ways she will contribute."
 
Taylor Walker          
 
"Taylor has incredible range from three-point land. She is improving her ball-handling skills, learning to feed the post at the appropriate times. Taylor is expanding her skills…and learning the defensive pace of the college game. She is a zone-busting weapon for us."
 
Janitsha Williams     
 
"Janitsha has accepted her role as our go-to player. She has shot the ball well in the pre-season. Janitsha is attacking the rim…scoring in a variety of ways. She is more difficult match-up for our opponents."
 
BULLDOG NOTES
 
The South Atlantic Conference women's basketball coaches voted Wingate number three in the league's preseason poll. Dunbar is a first team preseason All-SAC choice, while Williams is a second team preseason All-SAC selection.
 
Dunbar was third on the WU team with 11.3 points per game last season. She led the league with 10.1 rebounds per contest and 13 double-doubles. Williams led the Bulldogs and ranked in the league's top 10 with 13.3 points per game. Williams enters her senior campaign with 997 career points.

The Wingate University women's basketball team hosts the second annual Future Bulldog Day Thursday, Dec. 19, as the Bulldogs will face Lees-McRae in an 11 a.m. Southeast Region game in Cuddy Arena. Future Bulldog Day is an event for local fifth-grade students to visit the Wingate campus for a day and enjoy tours, motivational speakers and NCAA Division II basketball.
 
With the expanded South Atlantic Conference schedule (22 league games), the Bulldogs will play only four non-conference games. In addition to UNC Pembroke (Nov. 11), Wingate will face Lander (Nov. 16), Belmont Abbey (Nov. 30) and Lees-McRae (Dec. 19). Three of the four contests will be held in Cuddy Arena: UNCP, Belmont Abbey and Lees-McRae.
 
WINGATE UNIVERSITY
 
Wingate University, ranked as the 8th "best value" in the South by U.S. News & World Report, serves more than 3,000 students on three campuses in Wingate, Charlotte and Hendersonville, N.C. Founded in 1896, the University offers 35 undergraduate majors, 37 minors and career concentrations, numerous pre-professional programs, graduate degrees in business, accounting, education, physician assistant studies and sport administration, and doctorates in pharmacy, physical therapy and education.
 
With a 14 to 1 student/teacher ratio, Wingate students gain the tools and support needed to excel in academics and apply that learning toward an extraordinary career and life. To view current news, video and story ideas, visit www.youtube.com/wingateuniversity. 
 
In addition to a robust intramural athletics program, Wingate student athletes compete in 22 NCAA Division II sports. The University has won the South Atlantic Conference Echols Athletic Excellence Award for the past seven years. For more information, go to www.wingate.edu.
 
Wingate is first among NCAA Division II Academic All-America®-producing private colleges in the 2000's with 57 selections. Among North Carolina's colleges and universities, Wingate's 57 Academic All-America® honorees are number one during this millennium. Wingate's 66 lifetime Academic All-America® picks are tops among all SAC schools. For more information on WU athletics, go to www.wingatebulldogs.com.