Defense, getting over nerves and becoming the best versions of themselves they can be. Those are the goals for Arizona women’s basketball as the Wildcats head into their final exhibition against Arizona Western on Friday evening. The last two are especially important for starting point guard Shaina Pellington, who is stepping into the spot vacated by Aari McDonald.
“We don’t talk about (trying to replace Aari),” head coach Adia Barnes said. “I don’t want that for anybody in the program. Aari’s Aari. Aari’s amazing. I hope to recruit some more Aaris. But right now I recruited Shaina and I love Shaina.