So don’t think he’s being rash when he predicts a winning record for the 2005-06 edition of the Falcons. He hopes the winning starts when O’Neal faces off against North Moore in The Pilot Cup tournament at Pinecrest High School at 2 p.m. Saturday.
“I’m excited about this team,” he says. “I think we’ll have a winning season. The girls are excited about getting started, and they are looking forward to Saturday’s game.”
The Falcons just missed out on starting a winning tradition last year when they finished 9-11. But Woodfield’s optimism concerning this year’s squad has to be buoyed by the fact that he returns four starters from last year’s squad and has added a promising freshman to the lineup.
The addition of freshman Syd McIlwain, a 5-11 power underneath, has allowed him to move Kristen Stewart to the power forward position and Kat Davis out to a wing spot. Both Stewart, who was an All-Triad Athletic Conference performer last season, and Davis provided strong inside play for the Falcons last season. Stewart is a junior, while Davis is a seasoned performer and the lone senior on the squad.
“She’s (McIlwain) is going to be a good one,” Woodfield says. “She is going to surprise some people this year. She has good inside moves and can rebound. Combining her with Stewart and Davis is really going to improve our rebounding ability.”
The other two returning starters are long-range bomber Margaret Cross and point guard Kelsey Hukee. Cross, a sophomore, isn’t shy about putting the ball up from behind the arc, while Hukee, a junior, is a smart player who sees the floor well.
“Cross likes to shoot the three, but that’s all right because she’s a good shooter,” Woodfield says. “Hukee is really good at getting the ball to the right person in the right spot. She’s a good shooter, too. I’m trying to convince her to shoot more.”
Erin Menear and Kathryn Thornton are the other upperclassmen on a squad that features five freshmen, including McIlwain. Even though he has the veteran core returning, Woodfield admits the freshmen will have to provide some needed minutes off the bench. But he even finds a silver-lining in that.
“The freshmen are excited, but they are also a little nervous,” Woodfield said. “I told them they just are going to have to play some games and find out what playing is all about. That’s the only way to get over that nervousness, isn’t it?”
He points to freshman Kitan Akinosho as someone who has shown some promise and will probably get some immediate court time, while the other freshmen Carey Averbook, Samantha Hayes and Brittana Thompson will develop with time.
“You’ve got to get the young ones playing if you want to continue a strong program,” he says.
Three players on the Falcons are not only veterans for the Falcons, but are also longtime teammates outside the O’Neal hardwood. Hukee, Stewart and Cross have played together in summer ball and on traveling teams. Woodfield feels that has only helped the Falcons in their goal to start a winning program.
“Those three have played together a lot and are quite familiar with each other,” he says.
Woodfield, although optimistic, is also a realist. He knows that his 11-member team will have to overcome the lack of an experienced bench. “Out strength this season will be that we are a stronger rebounding team and a good shooting team,” he says. “The biggest drawback is our lack of depth.”
