Stokely Salvages Lost Season in Time for the Titans

Right up until there were only four games to play, this had been a lost season for Cal State Fullerton basketball player Natascha Stokely.

Stokely had averaged only six minutes and scored 17 points.

But then things changed. Nashira Shaw was sidelined because of a broken cheekbone and subsequently lost for the season. Justine McMahan was at less than full strength because of an injury. So Coach Denise Curry decided to give Stokely more of a chance.

It turned out to be a good decision.

Stokely has provided a late-season lift for the Titans, who open tonight against Nevada in the Big West women’s basketball tournament at the Lawlor Events Center in Reno.

“She’s become one of the real bright spots for us,” Curry said.

Stokely, who is 5 feet 10, has scored 76 points over the last four games. She had 36 points and 13 rebounds against Long Beach State. She had 18 points and eight rebounds in the regular-season finale against Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, despite fouling out with 10 minutes to play.

“I was frustrated and depressed early in the season,” Stokely said. “I didn’t want to let it get to me, so I had to hold my composure. But mentally, it was tough.”

Stokely didn’t play last season, redshirting at San Diego Mesa College.

“I think that was one of the reasons they might have had some doubts about me,” Stokely said. “But I wanted to work on my game and get some more classes out of the way there before I went to another school.”

When Fullerton lost three post players, including All-Big West center Dee Braxton who transferred to Pepperdine, the Titans needed help, and assistant coach Tamlyn Tills recommended that Curry sign Stokely.

“She has brought a lot of excitement to our team,” said guard Kris Sigg, the team’s leading scorer with a 14.7 average. “And it was a huge boost for her. She’s one of the oldest players on this team, and she’s taken a leadership role too.”

Stokely and the Titans (10-16, 7-8 in the conference), who probably will be without center Erin Whiteside because of an injury, face a big challenge against Nevada (18-8, 10-4).

The Wolf Pack has one of the conference’s tallest players in 6-6 Jelena Zrnic and one of its most effective inside players in 6-2 Ieesha Donadelle.

“I won’t be intimidated,” Stokely said.

Sigg says she likes that kind of attitude. “She has a lot of confidence,” Sigg said. “She just needed a chance.”