ELLENSBURG, Wash. (Nov. 12) – The Central Washington University women's basketball team kicks off its 2015-16 campaign with a pair of games against San Francisco State University and Hawaii Pacific University. 
 
The Wildcats look to improve on their 12-15 record from last season, under the guidance of second year head coach Jeff Harada.
 
"It's going to be a team effort," Harada said.  "We hope we are a little deeper than we were last year.  We are expecting a lot from the Jasmines [Edwards and Parker], everyone knows what they are capable of." 
 
Jasmin Edwards and Jasmine Parker both earned Great Northwest Athletic Conference pre-season honors.  Edwards averaged 12.2 points per game, a team-high among returning players.  She also led the Wildcats with 4.7 assists per game and had a team-high 39 steals.
 
Parker finished just beneath her with 10.1 points per game.  She led the Wildcats with 7.7 rebounds per game and 45 blocks.
 
"There is a combination of younger players as well," Harada added.  "Beverly Verduin and Rachel Lorentson have embraced their learning experiences from last year.  We have some freshmen that can make an impact as well.  Mandy Steward has proven that she can score a little bit in our first scrimmages and exhibitions.  It will be interesting to see what she does when the lights come on for real."
 
The Wildcats' 12 victories were the most for the program since 2002-03, when CWU went 17-9 and advanced to the NCAA West Region Tournament.
 
Harada noted the change in Alexis Berrysmith's game when she returned to campus this fall.
 
"I think we can expect big things her," Harada said.  "I think she has grown a lot from her first year in our program.  She learned what its like to play at a new level.  She took her experience and used it to become a better player.  She showed up this year as a determined player with a new attitude. I think she will surprise a lot of people."
 
Berrysmith joined the Wildcats from Bellevue Community College last season.  She played in 26 games and averaged 3.5 rebounds. 
 
Central's first game of the season is against San Francisco State.  The Gators finished last season with a 1-25 record in Dennis Cox's first season at the helm.
 
"You can't read too much into last year's record," Harada said.  "Dennis was really successful at Clayton State.  He has a revamped team this year, so I expect them to be a lot better.  We are not in a position to overlook anybody.  We are building our program as we speak.  We have eight freshman and sophomores combined."
 
Cox's roster consists of four freshmen, seven juniors, and three seniors.  Brittaney Allison and Brooke Shimazaki are the only two returning players for the Gators. 
 
Allison averaged 7.4 points per game and two rebounds per game. 
 
Shimazaki played in 21 games, recording 134 minutes.
 
The Gators went 1-1 in their two exhibitions this preseason, beating Menlo 69-65. 
 
The Wildcats second game is against Hawaii Pacific University.
 
Coach Harada is no stranger to the Sharks.  Harada led the HPU women's team for four years from 2007-10.  His assistant, Reid Takatsuka, took the helm following Harada's departure.
 
"I know they're well coached," Harada said with a smile.   "My former assistant is now the head coach. He's a good friend of mine, we've known each for 20 plus years, and went to high school together.  I know they run some of the same stuff from when I was there, so that may help in the scouting."
 
The Sharks went 25-5 last year, with an 18-2 mark in PacWest play.  The Wildcats got the better of them, however, last November with a 68-63 decision.
 
"They were a regional team last year and won their league," Harada noted.  "We were fortunate enough to beat them and I'm sure the returning players there know that and will come out and play hard for him.  We are expecting a close hard fought game."
 
VeAnne Navarro leads the Sharks' returners with 12 points per game. 
 
Takatsuka's roster contains four freshmen, three sophomores, three redshirt sophomores, four juniors, one redshirt junior, one senior, and one redshirt senior. 
 
"I think both games will be close and hard fought games," Harada said.  "We are excited to have an opportunity this weekend to play two home games against two regional opponents and get two wins."
 
Central tips off at 3 p.m. on Friday against San Francisco State.  The Wildcats also tip off at 3 p.m. on Saturday against Hawaii Pacific.