Coming off an electrifying win over Hawaii Pacific in the Nazarene Tip-Off Classic in Nampa, Idaho, Central’s women’s basketball team looks forward to playing Evergreen State at home.

Settling into a 1-1 start, the Wildcats hope to improve from their 7-19 record last season.

Under new head coach Jeff Harada, the philosophy of the Wildcats can be summarized by one word: defense.

As a defensive-minded coach, Harada said the biggest area of improvement for the team is tightening down on their assignments, since they don’t have the firepower to outshoot their opponents.

“We’re trying to establish an identity that when you play Central Washington, you’re in for a tough night,” Harada said.

After their disappointing season last year, the Wildcats were predicted to rank last this season by the GNAC coaches. Despite this, Harada has chosen to remain hopeful and work on turning this team around.

“I’m very excited to prove [the GNAC coaches wrong],” Harada said. “It bothers me, and it should bother the team. We feel we’re better than tenth. We cannot control where we’re picked in the beginning, but we can control where we’re picked in the end.”

Coming off an important win last weekend, the Wildcats have much to look forward to, after their impressive defensive performance.

The Wildcats allowed Hawaii Pacific 63 points, just under last year’s opponent average- per-game of 69. In their loss to California Baptist, the Wildcats allowed 68.

Senior forward Courtney Johnson, originally a walk-on her freshman year, is excited about the changes Harada has made to the team dynamics. Something Harada has done differently is make the team feel more like a family, she said.

“Personally, I liked [Nelson] but there were just a lot of ups and downs,” Johnson said. “People didn’t buy in, and I think one of the most important things is all people from top to bottom need to buy in, and I think that’s something we were missing. With coach Harada, he’s made it very clear that this is the way it’s going to be.”

Even freshmen players recruited by the staff of former coach Nelson have found success in Harada’s coaching style, remarking that the family dynamic of the team is something they cherish.

“My favorite thing about this team is the chemistry we have and the bonds we’ve created,” Jasmine Edwards, freshman point guard, said. “We’ve gone through a lot of stuff together like training, conditioning and all the blood, sweat and tears together. It’s brought us closer together.”

“Together We Will” is a slogan created by the players as a means of overcoming previous adversities and sticking it out as a group, Harada said.

“We know that a lot of times it’s just going to be us that believe in us,” Harada said. “We’ve gotta be in it together. We win together. We lose together. There really is no selfishness on this team.”

When playing in front of the home crowd, the Wildcats have historically found more success. On away games last year, the team sunk to a disappointing 1-8, but at home, the team improved to 4-9 overall.

For the players, there’s something about the home atmosphere and the stadium that mix together to make something special.

As for Johnson, it’s a matter of routine and comfort that can make the difference.

“You’re familiar with the gym and familiar with the school,” Johnson said. “It’s kind of that home court pride where you don’t want to lose at home and you want to defend it.”

The Wildcats will have the opportunity to defend themselves against Evergreen State, who currently sit at 3-0. The game is not part of the GNAC schedule, but nonetheless, Harada said the team will be playing their hearts out.