Youth movement underway in Collen's second season

By: Derek Oxford

Posted: 11/5/08

The Arkansas women's basketball team mirrors their male counterparts in one major category - experience.

Even though there are six returning players, six players join the team who are completely new to Arkansas basketball.

"Our biggest challenge is that our roster is full of youth, but our schedule becomes more difficult," Arkansas coach Tom Collen said.

The meshing of the two groups will be essential toward the Razorbacks having a successful season.

Fans will be able to see this new group when it takes the floor tonight in an exhibition game against Rogers State.

"I learned a long time ago to never underestimate the power of teamwork and the importance of chemistry," Collen said. "The young women in our program at this point have been hard-working. The players that showed up this summer worked very hard and are committed to challenging for playing time. They want to take this program to another level."

Leading returning scorers are Whitney Jones, Ayana Brereton and Charity Ford.

Before last season, the three had combined to average around 12 points per game, but Collen asked them to produce more and they answered.

Brereton ended up averaging 11.5 points per game, Jones chimed in with 10.3 and Ford ended up averaging 8.0 per game.

"We all went right back to work in the spring, and we were happy with the way the players responded," Collen said of the returning players. "They worked hard all summer, and I think it will pay off this fall."

Other returning lettermen include sophomore guards Shanita Arnold and Brittney Richardson and post Ashlea Williams.

"Ayana and Charity are returning starters, and throw in Brittney Richardson, who at times was our most productive scorer off the bench, and we have lots of competition and depth at the guards," Collen said.

All three showed flashes of brilliance last season but will have to continue to improve offensively in order to play over the recruiting class that Collen assembled.

Members of the class include Carlisle native Julie Inman, point guard Ceira Ricketts and shooting guard Lyndsay Harris.

Forwards Ashley Daniels and Jamesha Townsend also are new, along with junior college transfer Ashley McCray.

The Hogs hope that the injury bug doesn't bite their post play like it did last season.

Lauren Ervin was lost for the season, Williams ended her season early with a concussion and Jones dealt with shin problems for most of the year.

Collen said that with the guard play Arkansas possesses, it might go with a four-guard lineup if the situation calls for it.

"We may need to adjust to a more uptempo style to take full advantage of our personnel," Collen said. "I hope our fans are not shocked if we put four guards on the floor. That philosophy will make us hard to guard, but it also may put us at a disadvantage on the boards."

Getting everything ironed out, with who is going to play where and what kinds of offensive and defensive schemes will be executed, is going to be a challenge, but Collen said he and his team are ready to hit it head on.

"I look at our team and how hard they've worked early on, and even with that ominous task, I believe we will be better prepared to move up in the conference standings this year," Collen said.