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W Hoops: Sweet Sixteen trip raises expectations


Senior guard Lauren Stagg waved to the crowd one final time Saturday night as she walked off the court after the ASU women's basketball team's Sweet Sixteen loss to North Carolina.

The game marked the last for Stagg and senior guards Kylan Loney, Betsy Boardman and Carrie Buckner. In their time at ASU, the quartet played a large role in transforming ASU from a middle-of-the-road Pac-10 team into one of the nation's fastest-rising squads.

"They really epitomized the transformation that we've made," ASU coach Charli Turner Thorne said. "They've taken this program to new heights."

A deep run in the NCAA Tournament, coupled with high-profile games against Connecticut, Louisiana State and Stanford during the regular season, gives ASU even more national exposure.

Considering the lack of attention paid to the West Coast, Turner Thorne will do whatever it takes to keep it that way.

"I'm going to keep scheduling East Coast teams to try and elevate this program," she said.

With three starters returning and two heralded recruits on their way to Tempe, expectations are high for next season.

Sophomore forward Emily Westerberg and junior forward Kristen Kovesdy will be the team's foundation. The pair led ASU in scoring, as each averaged 11.2 points.

Kovesdy is a handful for opposing teams in the paint and Westerberg's slashing style can be dangerous.

A key in ASU's fortunes will be the return of sophomore guard Jill Noe, who captivated Sun Devils fans two years ago by leading the team in scoring as a true freshman.

Bogged down by a pair of severe knee injuries, Noe has not seen the court since her freshman season. If she can come back healthy, ASU will be an easy pick for the NCAA Tournament.

Another key will be the development of incoming freshmen Briann January and Kirsten Thompson.

Thompson, a 6-foot-6 McDonald's All-American, has the potential to be an impact player. January also has enough talent to make an immediate contribution. She could team with freshman guard Reagan Pariseau in the backcourt.

This year's Sweet Sixteen appearance gives ASU a small taste of what it can become.

"We have the experience now, and that's going to be huge for us next year," Westerberg said. "It lets [us] know that we can play with anybody in the country."

Reach the reporter at kyle.odegard@asu.edu.


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