Women look to defend PBC West crown as Smith takes over as head coach

It’s not easy replacing a legend. And that’s no exception with first year GCSU women’s basketball head coach Maurice Smith, who takes over the reigns for John Carrick, who retired earlier this year after 27 years as the head coach. But Smith, who played his college basketball and has served the last few years as an assistant coach for the Bobcats, is looking forward to meeting that challenge head on.

Senior forward Dominique Huffin is a returning starter this year

“It’s an adjustment no matter how you look at it going from an assistant coach to a head coach,” Smith said. “But being able to work under (Carrick’s) mentorship for four years and spending time as a graduate assistant for Coach Sellers really helped.”

Smith leads a talented and veteran Bobcat squad that returns three of its leading scorers from 2009-10, when the team finished 21-8, winning the west division of the Peach Belt Conference tournament and advancing to the conference semi-finals before being ousted and snubbed from the NCAA tournament.

After a rigorous preseason, the Bobcats are looking forward to getting in action when they open their season today on the road at Anderson, S.C. at 5:30 p.m.

“They worked really hard. It was quite a surprise to some, the amount of work they had to put in,” Smith said. “We raised the expectations, and they met them. We are looking forward to starting the season. This is a really good group.”

“This was a tough preseason, but we got through it and are ready to go,” said senior guard/forward Dominique Huffin. “Defense is our number one priority, and we want to increase our intensity as a team.”

Huffin, who has played regularly as a starter and sixth man since her freshman year, averaged 11.2 points and 8.7 rebounds a game last year for the Bobcats. Also returning is last year’s leading scorer Chimere Jordan. The senior guard averaged 16.2 points and 5.2 rebounds a game, earning her an All-PBC second team selection. Junior forward Tammeisha Law, who added 6.1 points and six rebounds a game a year ago, will also play a key role as a returning starter. Senior point guard Jessica Baker was a key player off the bench for GCSU last season and will continue to play a big role this season.

“These girls bring a lot to the table and know what it to takes to succeed at a high level,” Smith said.

The Bobcats picked up a key transfer from D-1 Jacksonville State in sophomore point guard Karisma Boykin, and will look to junior college transfer Huguette Yanga, a forward, to contribute and provide energy and spark from the bench. Smith said the Bobcats will also look for contributions from freshmen forwards Abby Slocumb and Krysta Lewis.

Huffin said that in addition to improving defensively, she would like to see leadership on the team improve.

“You always want to go out with a bang, but also you want to leave a mark and make an impression on the younger players and leave behind something they can improve on,” Huffin said.

The Bobcats will be tested throughout the year in a tough Peach Belt Conference.

“This is a tough conference. Any given night you can beat, if you don’t come ready to play,” Smith said. It’s very well-balanced.”

Posted by Scotty Thompson on Nov 11 2010. Filed under Sports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.