Women’s team has talent, experience, chemistry

“Last year we had five true freshmen,” said Shauna Green, Flyers head women’s basketball coach. “This year, two. And last year we had no summer activity.”

This year, for the second summer session, all the Flyer women players were here, including the five starters from last year’s regular season A-10 championship team.

The three seniors from that team are taking another senior year. That’s a basketball senior year; academically, they all have graduated, twice, so far.

Point guard Araion Bradshaw holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and a master’s in engineering management; she is working on her master’s in business management. Guard Jenna Giacone has a bachelor’s degree in sports management and an MBA and is working on a master’s in education. Guard/forward Erin Whalen has a bachelor’s and master’s in communication and is working on an MBA. And the three have also played a lot of basketball.

“Experience is huge,” Green said. “When you need to teach the little things, it takes hours.”

“Experience is huge. When you need to teach the little things, it takes hours.”

That teaching includes more than basketball. It includes a culture, a set of core values. “The veterans know them,” Green said. “They know what is expected from them; they know what is expected from me. They hold the new people accountable.

“This group has won championships. They know what it takes. So we can progress faster.”

“This group has won championships. They know what it takes.”

Besides talent and experience, a team must develop a chemistry. Green pointed to the role played in that by psychologist Rebecca Cook, who helps group meetings, bonding and team building, as well as with individuals. “She’s a huge component,” Green said. “We’d not have the success we’ve had without her.”

Talent, experience, chemistry. What that means in wins and losses, only the future will tell. But one thing Green could say, “This will be a fun team to watch.”