Former Division I junior guard Allison Greene looks to continue slicing through defenses with Azusa Pacific like she did against Seattle Pacific on Saturday, Nov. 23
Courtesy: Holly Magnuson
The Cougar women’s basketball team will feature two Division I transfers in the starting lineup this season with 6-foot junior forward Sendy Valles from Long Beach State and 5-foot-9 junior guard Allison Greene from Portland State.
Each player comes into this season with significant playing time at the Division I level. Valles, who spent the previous two years at Long Beach State, appeared in 32 games, starting in 15 as a true freshmen in 2011, averaging 4.8 points and 3.9 rebounds per game before she was sidelined for the entire 2012 season following back surgery. Her experience and skill set will add a multidimensional option for the Cougars.
“We can always get Sendy in a mismatch. Little guards can’t guard her and she is such a good outside shooter that she gets open when big girls guard her. She is a player that presents the most matchup problems for the other team,” head coach T.J. Hardeman said.
Greene, who started in 33 games over the last two seasons at Portland State, finished last season averaging 10.6 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game as the team’s second leading scorer.
“Allison is relentlessly attacking as a ball handler. She’s got such good ball handling ability, she can get into all kinds of spaces and create openings for herself as well as get the ball to the open person,” Hardeman said. “When I watch her play, sometimes I think I’m coaching Steve Nash. We are just so much better when the ball is in her hands.”
Former Division I junior forward Sendy Valles looks to continue the dominance she has established since transferring to Azusa Pacific as she did against Seattle Pacific on Saturday, Nov. 23
Courtesy: Holly Magnuson
After each one of them decided that their previous school was no longer the right fit, they decided that APU was where they wanted to continue their careers. Both are excited to get a fresh start with a new program.
“It’s not just about the athletics here, it’s about having an overall experience and growing with your relationship with God and getting a good education. It’s very well rounded,” Greene said.
Each player will also add experience and leadership to a team without a single senior in the starting lineup. Valles looks at the time she spent sidelined last year following her back surgery as an experience that will be valuable to the team.
“I got to watch the game a lot, so it has slowed the game down for me, which has helped raise my basketball IQ, so when I’m on the court the game is a lot slower for me and I’m able to think things through. My decision-making has improved a lot,” Valles said.
Greene said she is willing to do whatever it takes to lead the team.
“I’m just going to do whatever the coaches ask me to do. I’m not the most vocal person, but I’m trying to work on that and also just be a leader by setting up my teammates and score when the team needs me to,” Greene said.
Sophomore forward Kelly Hardeman could not be happier with her new teammates.
“I wasn’t expecting how great it is. They fit in so well, they both have really good attitudes and are ready to work hard and ready to give their best,” Hardeman said.
The two Division I transfers are already establishing their roles on the team. Greene scored 21 points and dished out three assists while Valles had 13 points and grabbed 12 boards in the pair’s Cougar debuts, falling to Cal Poly Pomona Nov. 16. Greene posted her first double-double of the season with 15 points and 10 assists while Valles tabbed her second double-double with 22 points and 10 rebounds Friday, Nov. 22 in the 76-61 win over Western Washington.
In their most recent game against Seattle Pacific on Saturday, Nov. 23, Greene scored eight points and delivered seven assists while Valles tallied 11 points and seven rebounds.