WASHINGTON -- As both Jim Crowley and Dani Haskell discussed their 2024-25 St. Bonaventure Women’s Basketball team, it was clear that both the smiles and level of optimism for the upcoming season are significantly increased.
Crowley is in his 18th overall season leading the Bonnies and second in his current time with the program.
“It’s a big difference from last year,” Haskell assessed. “We have 14 instead of 10 and you can tell each one of us wants to win. The culture is just different. It’s good to see that we want the same thing. It’s very competitive.”
This season the Bonnies grow to a 14-player roster, which sees six freshmen and multiple upperclassmen joining the program.
By the end of last season, the Bonnies had seven players and this was never used as an excuse. Crowley displayed a sense of pride at his team’s consistent compete level, even if the ball did not go through the hoop.
Last year’s effort set a foundation which has carried into summer with the five returning players and it has only made them hungrier for what’s to come.
“They are doing a great job developing and helping lead those guys in the way we want to play,” explained Crowley. “I’ve been very excited with our work ethic so far, our ability to learn. We’ve got a long way to go, but we’re headed on the right path. We have to stay patient but demanding with what we ask and keep these guys leading the way we are, and we’ll keep growing.”
Here is a look at the Bonnies:
Coach- Jim Crowley 18th overall season
Last year- St. Bonaventure was 4-26 and 1-17 in A-10 play. Its victory was an 84-72 effort against Loyola Chicago.
They’ll miss- Tianna Johnson (5.8 ppg/16 starts), Taylor Napper (4.5 ppg), Maddie Dziezgowski (4.7 ppg)
Impact returners- Dani Haskell (12.3 ppg/54 made threes), Isabellah Middleton (11.5 ppg/5.9 rebs), Nadechka Laccen (9.4 ppg/4.3 rebs)
Newcomers of note- Aurore Eyango (8.9 ppg/6.9 rebs at Clarendon College), Caitlin Frost (20 pts/13 rebs in CCAA National Championship bronze medal game), Mackenzie Pettinelli (set H.S. program single-season assist record in 2022-23)
Reasons to be optimistic:
Haskell is back healthy and ready to go after missing the final three games of the season.
It is clear just how high Crowley is on Middleton. Middleton’s play only grew as the Bonnies reached Atlantic 10 play. She achieved double figures in eight of her last nine games and her confidence has only grown since then.
“Bella’s a throwback,” Crowley determined. “She’s a little undersized, not sure what position she plays, but she plays ball. I think our system works for her and she’s just so competitive. I think her teammates see that and she’s done a great job embracing her teammates and being a vocal leader. All of these guys have spent more time together and it shows our young kids how important that is. Bella has developed, she’s been better around the rim, but she’s developed to the three point line, a little post game, so that all know that she’s going to compete hard for them and find a bucket in different ways.
Laccen has been steady in each of her two seasons with the Bonnies, but most importantly has displayed a willingness to grow. Her ability to be receptive coaching has been an asset this offseason.
Crowley appreciates her ability to make plays and her ability to rebound as a guard.
Payton Fields also is a returning player who made an impact scoring 6.7 points a game, achieving double figures on nine separate occasions during the 2023-24 campaign.
X Factor
St. Bonaventure welcomes six freshmen in Caitlin Frost, Mackenzie Pettinelli, Hannah Richardson, Zoe Shaw, Macy Smith and Lena Walz.
Each brings something which brings a level of excitement from Crowley, which also will push the returning players.
“All six have shown different things that will help us in different ways,” Crowley illustrated. “I’ll be honest with you, they’re all going to play and get opportunities. While one will stand out tonight in practice, Wednesday morning another will stand out. That’s normal with youth to find that consistency, but we’re finding that there.”
Circle the date- The Bonnies have five games against opponents who were in the WNIT last year. This quintet is, Bowling Green (Nov. 16), Colgate (Nov. 23), Buffalo (Nov. 30), Albany (Dec. 14) and Niagara (Dec. 17)
Bottom line: Crowley’s team fully expects to take a jump in year two of his return to the program. Some experienced pieces are in place and a slew of newcomers have come in and will have the opportunities to earn roles within this team.
“We’re ready,” Haskell concluded. “We have a lot of new players and just coming from last year, we’re ready to build on that and obviously improved.”