New Bedford Season Preview: Budding Big 3
With the Southeast Conference scheduled to tip-off in a couple of weeks, the New Bedford Lady Whalers look ready to unleash up-and-coming underclassmen Quiomarie Vazquez, Vanessa Bucha, and Bailey Burke amongst the other teams in the league. Despite losing…
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With the Southeast Conference scheduled to tip-off in a couple of weeks, the New Bedford Lady Whalers look ready to unleash up-and-coming underclassmen Quiomarie Vazquez, Vanessa Bucha, and Bailey Burke amongst the other teams in the league. Despite losing four seniors from last year, Whalers Head Coach, Jordan Pina, is optimistic knowing he has this young Big 3 forming in hopes of capturing an SEC title.
Quiomarie Vazquez- Point Guard- Junior
2019-2020 Stats:
- Points: 17.5
- Rebs: 4.00
- Asts: 1.60
- Steals: 3.25
The 4’10 Vazquez is coming off a monster sophomore campaign where she stuffed the stat sheet on a nightly basis. Her elite ball-hawking ability and anticipation on the defensive side of the floor led to easy transition points for the Whalers. Along with a team-leading True Shooting Percentage of 46%, Vazquez showed that she can be an efficient scorer with her three-point shooting and will make you pay from the free-throw line as well. Looking to build off this incredible season, the Whalers look for Vazquez to cement herself as one of the elite scorers and defenders in the SEC.
Vanessa Bucha-Shooting Guard-Sophmore
2019-2020 Stats:
- Points: 9.00
- Rebs: 5.52
- Asts: 3.05
- Steals: 1.71
Bucha was very impressive in her Freshman season as she had the responsibility of being the floor general for Coach Pina’s high tempo offense. Leading the team in assists, Bucha showed that she is an unselfish player who is capable getting her teammates easy, open shots. With the ascension of players like Vazquez, that assist number should increase this season. Along with having fantastic court vision, Bucha also has a knack for getting to the free-throw line as she led the team with 81 attempts from the charity stripe. Combined with stellar on-ball defense, Bucha is a well-rounded player who is ready to take her game to the next level this season.
Bailey Burke-Center-Sophomore
2019-2020 Stats:
- Points: 8.38
- Rebs: 9.24
- Steals: 1.33
- Blocks: 0.50
An absolute terror on the glass, Burke is one of the most active players when a shot comes off the rim. A season removed from leading the team with a rebound rate of almost 15, the Whalers center showed the potential to be one of the best rebounders in the conference. With most of her offensive production coming from the post and around the basket, Burke looks to up her scoring average this season and become a potential double-double threat every night. Considering all the attention Vazquez and Bucha will get from opposing defenses, Burke is the perfect compliment down low to those playmaking guards on the perimeter.
The future looks bright for the New Bedford Whalers as they have a three-headed monster who has a very high ceiling. The quest for a SEC title begins January 5th, on the road against conference foe Durfee. We are all excited to see what these young, on the rise athletes have in store.