Women’s basketball looks to repeat championship season

Jody Adams increased the number of Lady Shocker wins during each of her six seasons since becoming the Wichita State women’s head basketball coach.

Last season’s Missouri Valley Conference Coach of the Year had a young team with a lot of depth and talent.

This year’s team expectations are high. The Lady Shockers are picked to finish second in the MVC this season. Last season, the team won the most games in school history, with 24 wins and made the NCAA tournament for the first time while winning the regular and conference tournament championships finishing the season 24-10.

While the target is on the Lady Shockers, Adams tells her team to embrace the past and know who they are.

“We earned this stage, so let’s walk on it,” Adams said to her team.

Five players from last year’s squad returned, including All-First team MVC player, Alex Harde. Harden is the collegesportsmadness.com pick to win the MVC Player of the Year award this season.

Also returning is 6-foot-2 junior forward Kelsey Jacobs, who averaged 5.1 points per game and 3.0 rebounds per game in twenty starts last season.

Sophomore guard and forward Michaela Dapprich, who made the MVC All-Tournament Team last season also returned. Dapprich averaged 18.3 points during the MVC Tournament, and started eight games for the Shockers.

Senior forward Michelle Price provides leadership and a defensive spark for the Lady Shockers. Standing at 6-foot-1, Price has played in every game since she suited up in Shocker uniform.

Coach Adams said this team is athletic and versatile. Many players have the ability to play multiple positions on the floor so we will see a different offense than last year, she said.

“We will run more motion offense, but still use ball screens like always,” Adams said.

The Lady Shockers lost seven players from last year’s team. The Shockers reload with a top 45 recruiting class of seven players led by a couple of junior college guards and a freshman.

Freshman Moriah Dapprich, Michaela’s younger sister, is anticipated to be the best freshman on the team, Adams said.

Junior guard Valerierose Agnello, who came to WSU from Kishwaukee Community College, started 33 games for the Cougars averaging 12 points and six rebounds per game. Standing at 5-foot-10, Agnello was also an All-American Honorable Mention selection.

Junior guard Jamillah Bonner joined the Shockers from Butler Community College where she was a two-time Region VI First Team and All-Jayhawk Conference First team junior college performer.

Junior guard Harden and newcomer Bonner will share point guard duties while Coach Adams, has not ruled out playing both players at the same time on the court.

Adams said this year’s team could be the best defensive team she has had since coming to Wichita State.

“If they continue to get tougher learn and grow,” Adams said, “this can be another special season.”