A new season of women?s basketball is finally here, and the Hornets can only get better this season. The team has acquired a school record 10 new players for the 2001-2002 season.

Carolyn Jenkins, who rounded out her inaugural season last year at 3-23, is pleased with all of the new talent the team has gained, though there are no returning players from last year. Working with a clean slate, Jenkins hopes to be successful in the Big Sky Conference.

Among the players, Sydney Gatson, who missed all of last season due to a back injury, is one of the Hornets key players this season. A strong, versatile point guard, Gatson was second in assists, and sixth in scoring on the team during their 1999-2000 campaign.

“Sydney Gatson is doing a great job for us,” Jenkins said.

Junior Kendra Yancey is also expected to do well this season. Jenkins says she has the skills to score in bundles. As a guard-forward at Fresno City College, she led her team in scoring and rebounding.

“Kendra creates off the dribble for her teammates,” Jenkins said.

Jenkins wants to get more out her post players. She says it will take time for the frontcourt players to get used to the physical play in the post. Allison Thurman, a sophomore from Lassen College, has stepped up by taking he power forward position. Last year, Thurman put up 13.5 points and 8.5 rebounds per game for the Cougars.

“She?s [Thurman] a 6-foot guard playing the post,” Jenkins said.

Jenkins feels her team will be among the top six teams in the Conference. She says that the team needs to take care of the ball, because turnovers have been a problem for the Hornets in the early parts of the preseason. If the team can stay healthy and value the possession of the ball, they could go to the Big Sky Conference tournament.

Big Sky Conference Competition

The Idaho State University Bengals are expected to be No. 1 in the Big Sky Conference. Last year, the Bengals posted a perfect 10-0 record in the conference standings, and went on to the NCAA Tournament. The Bengals go head to head with the Hornets twice this season.

Once at the Hornet Gym on Friday, Jan. 11, and the other at Idaho State on Feb 9.

Montana State University returns stellar point guard Rebecca Alvidrez. Alvidrez and company are looking to improve upon last season?s 18-10 overall mark. The Hornets will meet Montana State twice, first on the road on Jan. 25.

The Northern Arizona University Lumberjacks are serious contenders in the Big Sky Conference. Considered to have a strong defensive team, the Lumberjacks held opponents to a 37.1 field goal average last year. The Hornets will play at Northern Arizona on Jan. 19.