Oklahoma City University has its eye on a trio of trophies heading into the 2010-11 season. After a highly successful 2009-10 campaign landed the Stars with a 32-4 record including a 26-game winning streak, the sweet taste of success has OCU hungry for more.
The Stars shared in the Sooner Athletic Conference title, won the conference tournament and played their way to an NAIA Division I semifinals appearance last season.
OCU is set to begin the new season vs. Langston at 7 p.m. Thursday in Langston, Okla.
“Because of the tradition and success of this program, we expect every year to challenge for all the championships that are afforded to us,” OCU coach Rod Edmisson said. “We go into each season trying to win a league championship, a conference tournament championship and a national championship. We've been very successful winning two out of the three, and we're hoping maybe this will be there year we can get all three.”
The Stars open their pursuit of championships with a talent-laden roster taking to the court.
OCU returns all-American Donica Cosby, a 5-foot-8 senior from Coldwater, Miss. Cosby averaged 13.9 points, 4.0 assists, 2.9 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game last season on her way to her first-team selection. Along with all-American honors, Cosby was named to the all-SAC team, earned most valuable players honors at the SAC tournament and was tabbed SAC newcomer of the year.
“Donica has a hunger for her senior year,” Edmisson said. “We're hoping that she will approach every day hungry.”
Joining Cosby on the court is fellow all-American Starr Fairbanks, a 6-2 senior from Cincinnati. Fairbanks averaged 13.5 points and 4.7 rebounds per game, shooting a team-high 58.4 percent from the field in her first season at OCU. Fairbanks was also an all-SAC selection for the Stars.
Edmisson points out Fairbanks' versatility as a matchup problem for the opposition.
“Starr is an athletic post player that can run the floor, but she can also step out and shoot the three. Her size and ability makes her a real tough guard.”
Joining these two all-Americans is a bevy of players to reload the roster, with a goal on making a deep run into national contention.
An in-depth look at the Stars:
Returners
Emily Davis, a 5-11 junior from Guthrie, Okla., averaged 3.7 points and 2.2 rebounds in her sophomore campaign. Davis is being counted on not only for her on-court skills, but also as one of the vocal leaders for the Stars.
“Emily has really improved in terms of her effort and intensity,” Edmisson said. “As a junior, we're expecting her to take another step in the direction of contributing to this team.”
Lauren Gober, a 6-2 sophomore from Newcastle, Okla., returns after becoming the SAC freshman of the year last season. Gober averaged 9.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.36 steals, 1.2 assists per game in her first season of collegiate basketball.
“Lauren is a just a great player, and it causes a lot of matchup problems when you're 6-2 and can be a guard,” Edmisson said. “She's a future all-American, there's no doubt about it.”
Breezy Martin, a 5-11 senior from Oklahoma City, is coming off a redshirt season as a mature and experienced presence on the team after playing in all 37 games as a sophomore, averaging 10.2 points and 4.6 rebounds.
“Breezy Martin is kind of that blue-collar, work-hard, undersized post player that gets a lot of stuff done around the basket and provides a lot of leadership,” Edmisson said.
Newcomers
OCU has seven newcomers on the roster, with four transfers and three freshmen. Edmisson expects everyone to make immediate contributions for the Stars, enabling team depth to be a strength of the program.
Taylor Booze, a 5-6 junior from Duncanville, Texas, joins the Stars from LSU. Coming off an injury that sidelined her for much of the year, Booze stands ready to return to the court.
“Taylor can do a lot of things,” Edmisson said. “She penetrates the lane with the ball, is a great on-ball defender and is very athletic and talented. She's going to be a contributor.”
Maryam Dogo, a 6-2 freshman from Samaru, Zaria, Nigeria, is adjusting to the American style of play and expanding her game on a daily basis.
“You can see Maryam getting better every single day, every single practice,” Edmisson said. “We really see Maryam down the road to be a major participant in the program.”
Tiffany Goldwire, a 5-9 junior from Oklahoma City, comes to OCU by way of Northern Oklahoma. She averaged 12.7 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.96 steals a game and helped her team to an NJCAA Region II Tournament championship.
“Tiffany has a great personality, and is a great team player,” Edmisson said. “She can play several positions, and is going to be an immediate impact player for our team because of how hard she plays and her intensity.”
Desiree Jeffries, a 6-foot sophomore from Oklahoma City, transferred into the OCU program from Oklahoma State. Jeffries was an all-state honoree for Del City High School (Okla.) and will be an immediate asset for OCU.
“Desiree is athletic, can push the ball, has tremendous basketball awareness, and will be an impact player immediately,” Edmisson said.
Kayla MacKenzie, a 5-6 freshman point guard from Peoria, Ariz., earned accolades on the prep level as a two-time all-Arizona selection. MacKenzie is expected to take an eventual on-court leadership role in her time at OCU.
“Kayla's a great shooter,” Edmisson said. “She has a great basketball sense, and once she learns to understand the tempo of the college level, she'll really be helping us.”
Cara Pugh, a 6-2 freshman post player from Oklahoma City, was a McDonald's all-American nominee as a senior for Bishop McGuinness in Oklahoma City.
“Cara is developing her floor toughness, as she realizes how physical the play is at this level.” Edmisson said. “She's going to be helping us immediately because of her ability to shoot the ball.”
Chasity Workman, a 5-9 senior from Carrolton, Texas, joins the Stars after playing at Washburn (Kan.). Workman averaged 7.7 points, 9.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.68 steals a game as a sophomore for South Plains (Texas) to earn an all-conference mention.
“Chasity can do a lot of things,” Edmisson said. “She plays inside-out, is a hard-nosed rebounder and just does all the little things that makes someone a great player.”
Along with depth, Edmisson points to versatility as the defining characteristics of this year's OCU team.
“We feel like the strength of our depth is going to be the No. 1 key to our success,” Edmisson said. “We just have so many interchangeable parts, and it's making this team very exciting to be around.”
