CS Long Beach Women’s Preview : Fast-Breaking 49ers Try to Go a Step Further

There is a saying: Be careful what you wish for, because you just might get it.

Such is the lot of coaches who, presumably after years of building and struggle, finally establish an athletic program that is respected and successful. Then the trouble starts.

Expectations. Pressure. A nationally ranked team that sits as a target for every team looking to make a name for itself.

These are some of the problems Joan Bonvicini has made for herself and her women’s basketball team at Cal State Long Beach. But they are problems she cheerfully accepts.

The 49ers, second-ranked nationally after spending years waiting out the dominance of UCLA and then USC, have emerged as the Southland team to beat with a run-and-gun style many want to emulate. It has brought a new pride and spotlight to Long Beach, and also new concerns.

“It’s different than a year ago,” Bonvicini said.

The 49ers then were highly regarded but nevertheless surprised many by making it to the Final Four, where they lost in the first round.

“This year we want to go a step further. People play us and get psyched up for us more than in the past. They will play out of their heads. We have to accept that challenge and grow.”

Helping them to that end is basketball consultant Pete Newell. Bonvicini has brought Newell in to evaluate her program and infuse new ideas. Newell has observed practice and will make suggestions about Bonvicini’s methods.

“I evaluated myself after last season,” she said. “I want to be the best coach I can be. I felt we were doing all the big things right. But it’s the little things that put you over the top.”

The 49ers lost only one player from last season’s 28-6 team. In addition, guard Penny Moore is eligible after missing last season as a nonqualifier under Prop. 48.

“She jumps out of the gym,” Bonvicini said of the 6-foot 1-inch Moore, who is from Falls Church, Va. Moore scored 14 points in the 49ers’ exhibition win over the Australian national team, 89-71. Long Beach will open its season on the road Dec. 1 against Louisiana State.

Most prominent among the returning players is All-American Penny Toler, a senior. Toler’s acclaim as the flashiest player in the game is beginning to rival that of USC’s Cheryl Miller. Toler, who averaged 23 points a game last season, is the heart of a team that likes to call itself the little Lakers, with a fast-breaking style that tends to overwhelm opponents.

Toler was invited to the Olympic team tryouts last summer but didn’t make the cut.

“After she got cut, she didn’t do much,” Bonvicini said. “She came back here with a lot of optimism. It’s her last year.”

The other guard, Traci Waites, has talent but lacks confidence.

“Traci needs to be more vocal on the court,” Bonvicini said. “This is a game of confidence and she’s very sensitive. She has to display more confidence.”

At forwards are seniors Shameil Coleman, 5-11, and Cheryl Dowell, 6-1. Bonvicini says Coleman is her team’s best athlete.

At center is 6-4 junior Angelique Lee, who played on the U.S. team that went to Taiwan for the Jones Cup competition.

“Angie is a very versatile athlete,” Bonvicini said. “That experience over the summer gave her more confidence. Her goal for the season is to be in double figures in rebounding.”

Key off the bench for Long Beach will be 5-6 guard Dana Wilkerson, who comes into the game to jump-start the team. Another who will play lots is 6-3 freshman center Janet Haneberg.

Bonvicini expects help from all her players, if the team is to make it to its third consecutive Final Four berth.

“It’s not the big games I worry about,” she said. “It’s the people we are supposed to beat that I worry about. Expectations are so high. The fans think that if you won by 20 points last year, you have to win by 30 points this year. Some people will never be happy.

“Our team has to worry about the team. We need to stop worrying about being nationally ranked and play well.”

Just like last year.