WASHINGTON -- Fordham coach Bridgette Mitchell believes that last year a lot of the scoring fell on Taylor Donaldson, who led the Atlantic 10 with 17.9 points per game, showing she could rise to the occasion, while displaying her skillset.
As a result of this, the coaching staff made use of the recruiting time going out and getting new pieces which could compliment here.
Players such as Irene Murua Txintxurreta, Chae Harris and a freshman in Anastasija Veljovic, among others were brought in to help this program take the next step.
For Donaldson, who was named to the Atlantic 10 Preseason All-Conference First Team, it has been fun getting to know this team and find out what everyone’s strengths are.
“On the court, my confidence definitely grew as the season went on and I feel like I became more of a leader on and off the floor,” she explained. “I feel that definitely now with a new and younger team, I’ve learned that I am the vocal leader on the team and also the leader by example.”
Something which certainly helped in these efforts was a summer trip to Greece in which the Rams had the opportunity to play against some pros, while traveling and seeing the world.
It reminded Mitchell and helped her team realize just how fun basketball is.
“When you go back to it in its purest form, it is why you play,” determined Mitchell. “We had an opportunity to create some moments and memories for us to use throughout the year. This is why you play. It’s going to get tough, but you love this game and love playing with each other and truly connecting. It is something playing in the offseason instilled with this program.”
As all of the pieces come together, it creates a recipe which has Mitchell optimistic for what is to come.
“We are young and excited, we are hungry, we come out and compete every day,” Mitchell analyzed. “It’s exciting and a joy to coach this team thus far this season.”
Here’s a look at how the Rams stack up this season:
Coach- Bridgette Mitchell - 2nd season
Last Year- 12-17/7-10 A-10. After losing some close games early in conference play, Fordham won five in a run from Feb. 7-28 during which they bested a Saint Louis team which won the WNIT and played spoiler in Saint Joseph’s quest to earn the top seed in the conference tournament.
They’ll Miss- Emy Hayford (12.7 ppg/42.3% FG), Mandy McGurk (6.3 ppg), Aminata Ly (5.8 ppg/6 rebs/49% FG)
Impact returners- Taylor Donaldson (led A-10 with 17.9 ppg/5.3 rebs), Taya Davis (5.9 ppg/3.3 rebs), Rose Nelson (3.7 ppg/45.6% FG)
Newcomers of note- Irene Murua Txintxurreta (11.2 ppg/7.4 rebs at Detroit Mercy), Chae Harris (7.6 pts/3.5 rebs at Appalachian State), Anastasija Veljovic (freshman Fort Erie National HS)
Reason to be optimistic-
Finding and maintaining an identity is critical towards any team’s success and Fordham has found a clear one in being relentless.
“When you talk about relentlessness and resourcefulness, we have Taylor who can score and now more people who can score, so going to whoever the hot hand is,” Mitchell said. “Not being upset about that, encouraging and supporting them. On any given night it can be any of our players and that’s special. When you have anybody that can do that, you don’t know how the season is going to go or end. We’re going to trust the process and the work we do daily to prepare for those moments. On the defensive end we’ll be gritty and bring maximum pressure, play with a lot of passion, you’ll feel the energy when you’re sitting in the stands or watching us on TV and then we’re going to have a lot of fun. It’s going to be fun watching us on the offensive end seeing Amaya Ferguson doing her behind-the-back passes, TD raining threes. It’s a lot of fun watching a team when you have different skills.”
X-Factor-
Irene Murua Txintxurreta brings a much-needed post presence and as a graduate transfer spent the last three seasons at Detroit Mercy.
She is a 1,000-point scorer and career 51% shooter.
Mitchell believes her team’s interior game is quite strong and evidences that by citing Joshua Greer’s strength and conditioning program.
“We do a lot of testing over the summer and all of our post players ran in guard time,” Mitchell revealed. “When you talk about a team that wants to play fast, we have the pieces that can do it. In the weight room, our strength and conditioning program is elite and so we have the opportunity to build their strength. One of the biggest things that Irene talked about was not having to lift this much and do this much conditioning and so for her that was a huge statement to own that this was new for her, even though she’s been in college for four years. She was able to tap into that, she owned it and has been able to hold her own as well as finish. She can shoot in the perimeter as well as be dominant inside. She has showcased her versatility and we’re going to look to showcase that to the rest of the league.”
Circle the dates- Fordham has a non-conference schedule which will have it face teams who had successful seasons a year ago and advanced to postseason play. On Nov. 12 the Rams will hit the road to face Seton Hall, a WBIT participant. Nov. 20 sees Fordham again travel, this time playing a Manhattan team which won 18 games. Nov. 23 has Fordham battling Siena which also won 18 games. A Dec. 1 game against Stony Brook is versus a team that was 28-5 a campaign ago, advancing to the second round of the WBIT. Fordham wraps up its non-conference slate by participating in the Raising the Bar Classic where it faces Cal Dec. 21, a side which won 19 games and also made the WBIT.
Bottom line- Fordham believes it has made improvements this season addressing areas of need to compliment Donaldson. There were clear signs of improvement throughout last season and now with that feedback and knowledge the Rams are poised to be conference powers once again.