2018-19 #HLWBB Preview: Oakland
Oakland Golden Grizzlies
Last season: 15-16 overall, 7-11 Horizon League
Head coach: Jeff Tungate
By Joey Yashinsky, Horizon League Contributor. Follow on Twitter @OneSeatOver
In the Horizon League over the last two years, there hasn’t been a better option off the bench than Oakland’s Taylor Jones. In back-to-back seasons, she has been named the conference’s Sixth Player of the Year, an award bestowed upon the league’s best player in a reserve role.
Entering the 2018-19 season, the Golden Grizzlies will trot out an entirely new starting lineup after graduating all five starters from last year. That means Taylor Jones will not win a third consecutive super-sub honor. She’ll begin the game on the court, now.
“We’re gonna need Taylor on the floor as much as possible,” said Tungate. “The thing I’m most proud of her for is just leading our young players. I always knew she was a very good player, but she’s done a fantastic job of taking the young players under her wing and teaching them the way we do things.”
Making up some of Leah Somerfield’s production on the inside will be done by 6-foot-2 Nikita Telesford. The redshirt junior is an athletic forward that can alter plenty of shots in the paint.
“We need Nikita to be that consistent rebounder and someone that finishes around the basket,” said Tungate. “Leah was able to step out and shoot the 3, but that’s not something we ask of Nikita. Our post position is probably the most wide open spot right now and Nikita’s the one coming back with the most experience.”
Tungate will also be able to draw from a talented group of freshmen and sophomores to help Telesford down low.
Chloe Guingrich played almost 16 minutes a game as a freshman and finished as Oakland’s second leading rebounder. Autumn Kissman, a 6-foot-3 center, returns looking for an increased role in her second season. Also keep an eye out for talented freshman Kayla Luchenbach from nearby Clarkston High School, a player Tungate expects to compete for minutes right away.
Looking at last year’s statistics, the name Myka Cromwell won’t jump out at you. She played less than five minutes per game and averaged less than a point per contest. But the 5-foot-11 guard could open up some eyes this season.
“Myka is far and away the most improved player on our team,” said Tungate. “She put in time in the spring and summer to work on her game, and she’s had a very good preseason so far. If she can keep that up, we expect her to be one of our top players.”
Lakyesha Stennis will suit up as a Golden Grizzly for her final collegiate season after transferring from Alabama. When Stennis steps in the gym, she is already in range.
“Lakyesha’s a really good perimeter shooter,” said Tungate. “She’s one that we need to knock down outside shots to stretch out the defense and open up room for driving lanes and inside play. She is definitely a pure shooter.”
Tungate’s roster will sport nine freshmen and sophomores among the 13 players. Needless to say, some of the younger crowd will be seeing some key minutes for Oakland. A pair of guards will look to push the pace.
“Kahlaijah Dean (5’6”) and Brianna Breedy (5’5”) will get a lot of time for us,” said Tungate. “They are both really athletic and have a high basketball IQ. They can both guard on or off the ball, they’re really tough kids, and both love to compete and play.”
Despite the relative inexperience of Tungate’s squad, he remains confident this can be a genuine Horizon League threat come Motor City Madness in March.
“I love how our practices have been going,” said Tungate. “I love our enthusiasm, our excitement, our energy, and our chemistry. We might have some ups and downs during non-conference play, but by January, I think we have a chance to be a really good basketball team.”
And the Horizon League’s best bench player of yesteryear will be right there from the very start.