A sweep in Hawaii. A record nine-game win streak. An inspiring victory over the conference's only ranked team. These were just some of the components of a historic 2011-12 Academy of Art University women's basketball season, the best in the program's four years of existence, but that was just the beginning. Returning a strong core combined with accomplished young talent, head coach LaNay Larson's 2012-13 Urban Knights are determined to raise the bar even further.

“I think the theme of this season is finishing what we started,” Coach Larson said. “Last year, we took big steps with being tied for first in conference up until the last week and beating teams we hadn't beaten before.”

ART U will be prepared for the challenge of vying for a Pacific West Conference title as its non-conference schedule offers talented opponents from around the West Region and beyond. All things considered, this season will be inherently unique for one particular reason: The possibility for the Urban Knights to qualify and compete for the NCAA Division II Tournament following ART U's official NCAA membership this past July. For a more in-depth look at the 2012-13 Academy of Art University women's basketball schedule, click here.

“Now it's time for us to take that next step and go from a contender to a championship team,” Coach Larson said. “It's great to have the NCAA Tournament as a post-season goal for this year's team and have it be a realistic expectation. It's definitely one of the goals that we have and I think we have the pieces of the puzzle to accomplish that.”


The 2011-12 ART U women's basketball season was unlike any other. Beginning with a season-opening victory over Cal State East Bay and a sweep of a pair of games in the Dixie State Thanksgiving Classic, the year featured numerous program “firsts.” A thrilling one-point victory came over Larson's former team Dixie State in January and an incredible nine-game win streak, the longest by any Urban Knights team ever, was initiated by a four-part sweep through Hawaii. Academy of Art University set a new rebounding record against Dominican in late January then went into #16 Grand Canyon's gym and knocked off the Antelopes. Fortunately for the Knights, a total of 10 athletes from that squad return to lead the charge in 2012-13.

“Last year's team really set the tone,” Coach Larson said. “They had great chemistry and the effort was always there. I really want to carry over that work ethic that last year's team had and the character and chemistry they exhibited to go with this year's team and the talent we now have.”

A large senior class features guards Nicol Biesek and Jordan Rogers in the backcourt, forward Ariel Dale, as well as centers Katy Wade and Juliua Fraser. Both Rogers and Dale earned All-PacWest Second Team honors last year after sitting among the conference leaders in rebounding, steals, and other statistical categories. Biesek showed she could be a dangerous threat both defensively (program's new single-season blocks leader) and offensively (second on team with 2.8 assists per game). Finally, Wade, a transfer from Portland State who learned the ART U system as a redshirt last season, and Fraser, Top 10 in PacWest in blocks per game, will provide impressive length at the center position.

“We have high expectations for this year as a team,” Biesek said. “We have a lot of fresh legs and a lot of people returning who know what they're doing. We kind of started where we began at the end last season. We had this chemistry already and these girls who know their roles and it's going to be really exciting to now have to prove ourselves and keep up the success we had last year.”

The junior and sophomore class are both entirely composed of returners with forward Alisa Griggs, another of the 2011-12 All-PacWest Second Teamers, and guard Amanda Encelan, a transfer from Ohlone College who redshirted with the Knights like Wade last season. Griggs finished off an unforgettable sophomore season, leading the team in scoring (13.8 ppg), rebounding (7.7 rpg), as well as field goals and free throws made. Her highlights included grabbing a program-record 23 rebounds against Dominican and scoring a career-high 26 points at Dixie.

“The group of returners we have done a great job of building off of what accomplished last year,” Coach Larson said. “They are great examples with their unselfish, hard-working, team first mentality. I believe they are willing to do whatever it takes to get us to where we want to be.”

Sophomores include guard Vianai Austin, consistent provider of that quick spark off the bench, center Alexandria Coleman, a strong interior presence, and Madeline Martin, one of the hardest working Urban Knights who has been determined to return to the court after an injury ended her 2011-12 season prematurely.

“Along with great role players who know what I need from them in order to be successful, we have some freshmen who are very talented, used to winning, and come from very successful programs,” Coach Larson said. “They're very athletic and are going to come in and play big roles for us also.”

Composing a dynamic ART U freshman class are guards Jasmin Guinn, Zoie Sheng, Sha'Nice Storey, and Regina Camera along with forward/center Kirstyn Champion. From a three-time NCS Champion with Berkeley High School (Guinn) to a pair who guided St. Mary's Academy to its first league title since 1994 (Sheng & Storey) to one with three state championships at Saint Mary's High School on her resume (Camera) to Linden High School's 2012 MVP (Champion), the Knights are unquestionably loaded with youth poised to succeed immediately.

Looking to build upon last year's achievements, 15 Urban Knights will step onto the court this season with the one common goal of winning a PacWest Championship and possibly much more.

Fans will see a preview of the 2012-13 Academy of Art University women's basketball team this Friday, Nov. 2 when ART U travels north to face Division I Sacramento State in an exhibition game. Tipoff is set for 7:00 PM inside the Hornet's Nest and Live Stats will be available.