Mary Sbrissa spent plenty of time watching the Oregon women’s basketball team last season.
That time allowed Sbrissa to digest Oregon’s 14-15 season, see the Ducks motion offense and witness the level of competition in the Pacific-10 Conference. Sbrissa traveled with the team to the conference tournament in San Jose, Calif., in March.
Sbrissa, an Italian forward and freshman-to-be, arrived early to hasten her adjustment period to college. Spring practices have started and Sbrissa has something tangible to work toward – contributing next season.
“I have a big desire to play and I know I have a great opportunity to be here,” Sbrissa said.
With Carolyn Peterson (formerly Carolyn Ganes), Gabrielle Richards and Jessie Shetters already on the team and Jamie Hawkins coming off a redshirt year, minutes may be tough to come by. As a freshman, the learning curve will be steeper, which increases the importance of spring workouts and individualized attention from the Oregon coaching staff.
Assistant coach Phil Brown wants to see the 6-foot-2 Sbrissa pass and cut inside, post up smaller players and be confident around the basket. She must be able to drive around defenders, he said.
“Some of that’s strength-related, some of it’s technique-related,” Brown said. “She’s done pretty well.”
Monday afternoon, Sbrissa worked with Brown on a variety of individual drills. She then worked with teammates Cicely Oaks and Tamika Nurse in one-on-one drills.
Sbrissa showed promise with her mid-range jumper and ability to drive the ball to the hoop, but her shooting and inability to guard smaller, quicker players showed her inexperience.
“It’s all about building blocks,” Brown said. “That’s why the spring and summer is so important.”
Living in Eugene allowed Sbrissa to adjust to life without family close by and meet her teammates early. Sbrissa came from Castelfranco, near Venice in Northern Italy. She played for a club team, San Martino Di Lupari, and led them in scoring (12.1) and rebounding (6.0) prior to her arrival.
The next level, Division I, is another step up, she said.
“Now, I have to time to improve myself, to do better and learn the system,” Sbrissa said.
Offense, offense, offense
Oregon’s defense last season ranked third in the Pac-10 (63.3). Offensively, the Ducks found themselves near the bottom of the conference in ninth place, averaging just 59.7 points compared to the leader Stanford’s 79.3. That meant a larger focus on Oregon’s motion offense this spring.
“We are just working on offense exclusively,” Brown said. “We are working on a lot on individual offensive fundamentals: passing, dribbling, shooting, cutting.”
Finding talent
The three scholarship openings for next season kept the coaching staff busy through March, April and May.
“That’s still a work in progress,” Brown said.
The late signing period closed Wednesday and Oregon may have a player announcement later this week, said Andy McNamara, women’s basketball sports information director.Oregon graduates five players following the 2006-07 season in Eleanor Haring, Peterson, Shetters, Hawkins and Oaks.
“We feel really excited, not only about next year, that’s certainly a major focus, but we are trying to put a lot of things in place, on the court and off the court, for our future (in) 07-08,” Brown said.
Coaching vacancy
The application process for a new assistant coach closed May 8. The coaching staff is currently reviewing applications, McNamara said. Former assistant coach Peg Swadener resigned at the end of the season in March and left the program in April.
Summer camps
The Oregon women’s basketball program is hosting three camps this summer: June 19-22, June 23-25 and July 3-6.
Oregon’s first camp is for younger players ages 8 to 13. Oregon coaches and players participate with camp hours running from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
Team camp, from June 23-25, features competition for teams ranging from junior varsity to varsity. Teams play a minimum of six games.
The third camp, July 3-6, is for potential freshmen, junior varsity and varsity basketball players. Oregon coaches and players as well as high school and junior college coaches will work with players in skill development, fitness and game competition.
Any questions should be directed to Natasha Ruckwardt at (541) 346-5858.