A tough act to follow
Following up the most successful women’s basketball season in school history is no easy task, especially when six of the key components from that team are gone.
The Lady Bobcats posted a school-best 28-6 overall record last year, won the Peach Belt Conference Tournament for the second time in three years and advanced all the way to the “Sweet Sixteen” of the NCAA Division II Tournament.
Still, Georgia College & State University Head Coach John Carrick is confident that his team can once again compete with the top teams in the Peach Belt Conference.
“We graduated some terrific basketball players, but more importantly, we lost some top quality young ladies who were intelligent and represented our school and our program in a wonderful way,” Carrick said. “But we have some great kids with a lot of talent again this year, and time will tell if they can develop the same camaraderie and other intangibles it takes to be a championship team.”
The shelves are not empty however, as seven lettermen return, including five seniors.
Senior Kirsti Jones (7.6 ppg/ 2.3 rpg) returns as the top contender at point-guard. Senior Lindsey Bloodworth (1.4 ppg/ 0.9 rpg) and freshmen Christina Royster (North Clayton HS) and Lindsey Smith (Dunwoody HS) will be battling for time at the point as well.
Senior Latia Love (13.0 ppg/ 6.8 rpg), who can play several positions, returns after earning First Team All-Peach Belt Conference honors last year and leading the team in rebounds.
A handful of other players will also look to make their mark at shooting guard, including Lindsey Bloodworth, red-shirt freshman Shanice Dawson and freshman Emily Bixler (Dacula HS).
Junior Kim Johns and red-shirt freshman Maura Spall will also be in the mix for playing time at shooting guard.
Latia Love can play a small forward position as well, but there will also be three top quality candidates with senior Renea Phelps (5.8 ppg/ 2.1 rpg), junior Amanda Lomax (2.1 ppg/ 1.0 rpg), and newcomer Cassie Miliner who transferred after one year at the University of Central Florida.
Mixing it up in the paint will be senior Alicia Porter (6.5 ppg/ 5.6 rpg), a pair of Pensacola Junior College transfers in Tiffany Wingo and LaWanna Leon, and freshman Ashley Williams (Collins Hill HS)
Bloodworth, an athletic training major who plays both point-guard and shooting-guard, is looking forward to her fourth year with the team.
“We definitely miss the leadership (from last year) but this year’s seniors have stepped up as leaders. New people have taken their positions.”
GC&SU will once again be playing a challenging schedule with seven of this year’s opponents having made the NCAA Tournament last season. The Peach Belt Conference sent four teams to the NCAA Tournament last year.
Bloodworth views their long schedule as their greatest challenge.
“So many games are scheduled throughout the year, it’s tough to keep up the intensity for the four months plus possible playoffs,” she said.
“But we are up to the challenge. We have an aggressive defense! Our players are quick and should be able to get some quick and easy baskets.”
Coach Carrick is ready to see how far the 2004-05 Lady Bobcats can go.
“I don’t dwell on last year,” Carrick said. “This team has just as much potential as last year.”
An exhibition game “Coaches vs. Cancer” is scheduled for Saturday against Mercer University at the University Center in Macon (Mercer’s brand new $45 million facility). Tickets may be purchased for $5 from Brad Muller or call 445-1779. All proceeds will go to the American Cancer Society.
The Lady Bobcats host West Georgia on Tues., Nov. 16 at 7 p.m. in the Centennial Center.
Posted by Colonnade Archives
on Nov 12 2004. Filed under Sports.
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