Bronco talk

Senior Bronco guard Michelle Cozad recently earned her sixth West Coast Conference Player of the Week award and is a frontrunner for conference player of the year. The Stockton, Calif., native leads the WCC in points per game (18.1) and three point field-goals (58). She is second in the conference in rebounds per game (9.3), free throw percentage (.819) and third in steals with an average of 2.3 per game. Sports editor Brian Witter spoke with Cozad about several issues ranging from team chemistry to life after her career at Santa Clara.

BW: So people keep saying that you're a step above everyone else when it comes to WCC Player of the Year. What's come together for you this season, in your mind, that's contributed to your level of play this season?

MC: Well, I'd say that I'm definitely more of a leader on the court this year, both defensively and offensively. Offensively, I think that rebounding is the biggest part of my game that I've stepped up as of late.

BW: What do you think the team needs to do to sustain the winning streak that you're currently on?

MC: I think that in the last game we had some slippage in terms of rebounding and we almost lost. So the most important thing we need to do to maintain our status is to continue to rebound well and play smart half-court defense.

BW: What improvement to your own game needs the most improvement, if anything at all?

MC: I just want to reiterate that I think staying on the boards and doing a successful job of grabbing the rebounds on both sides of the court will help us win. I, myself, need to remember that as well as everyone else.

BW: The team started out 3-6 early on in the season. What was the group dynamic like at the beginning of the season and how has it changed to reflect a seven-game winning streak?

MC: Mainly, at the beginning of the season, we played some very tough teams and I don't think there was anything detrimental to our team at that point. I and everyone else feel like some of those games were definitely within our reach. Now though, I'd say that as a team we're playing with the ultimate confidence and it shows.

BW: How difficult do you think it's going to be to win the postseason tournament and ultimately repeat as West Coast Conference champs this season?

MC: Well, people are definitely going to be out to get us since we're at the top of the league. However, right now this team is strictly focused on winning one game at a time and having the best record in the conference at the end of the season. We can focus ourselves on the tournament after all of that.

BW: Has being named conference player of the week gotten repetitive at all, yet? You've got six already.

MC: (laughs) No, as long as we're winning games consistently, I don't really care. It's fine with me.

BW: Last season, there was only one senior on the team, Quinn Thomas, and there are still only two this year, Kayla Huss and yourself. How do you think Coach Bento-Jackson is able to win at a consistent rate with such young talent every year?

MC: We had a large freshman class come in and I think they've all gotten better throughout the year. This season, a lot of people have had a chance to contribute to this team and make it better. That happened this year and also last year. Hopefully, there will be the same end result too.

BW: Who do you think some of the future leaders of this team are?

MC: I'd definitely say that Chandice (Cronk) is one of those people. She's already a captain on this team and has proven herself strong in several aspects of the game. She'll continue to grow as a player in the years to come. Also, Anna Martin has done well in her role at the guard position. She's also stepped up her game and gotten significantly better over time. There are so many leaders on this team though; it's hard to pinpoint just a few.

BW: What are your aspirations after Santa Clara? Has there been or have you heard your name and the phrase "professional basketball" in the same sentence recently?

MC: I really don't know yet. I guess we'll just have to wait and see. Whatever happens, happens, is sort of my philosophy. But if I was given the opportunity to do something like that, I'd absolutely take it in a heartbeat with no questions asked. I'm not ready to hang up the shoes just yet.

BW: What do you think you'll do if you're not playing ball next year?

MC: Oh God, I have no idea. If that ends up being the case, it'll be the first time in my life that I haven't been playing basketball nearly every day.

BW: How long exactly have you been playing basketball?

MC: I've been playing on a team since the 4th grade, but I've more or less been learning the game and had a basketball in my hand from about the time I learned how to walk.

BW: Your brother plays basketball at San Jose State. Is there a pretty strong rivalry between you two or do you tend to try to learn from each other?

MC: Oh no, we're best friends. We even live together. He's my biggest fan and I'm his. There's no sibling rivalry there for sure.

BW: What's your favorite Winter Olympic sport this year?

MC: Hmm...I like watching the snowboarding for sure. It seems to be one of the things the Americans dominate anyway.