Women's Basketball Opens Practice
10/2/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Oct. 2, 2011
CONWAY - At 5:04 p.m. on Sunday, October 2 the familiar sounds of sneakers squeaking and the thuds of a ball on hardwood returned to Kimbel Arena marking the first day of practice and official start of the 37th Coastal Carolina women's basketball season.
As the familiar sounds reverberated off the walls of the 1,039-seat arena, which is entering its final season as the home of Chanticleer basketball, head coach Alan LeForceintently watched over his squad's every move. The 2011-12 season marks the 15th for LeForce at the helm in Conway. After 202 wins and coaching four of Coastal's top 10 leading scorers he thinks this squad, which is infused with six freshmen, may be the most athletic and talented he has coached yet.
"We have more quickness on this team from top to bottom than I have ever had as a women's coach," said LeForce. "We also have more depth than in years past. The combination of the past two recruiting classes really gives us some excellent athletic talent and great ability to shoot the ball."
With the first day of practice, gone is the disappointing 10-19 season of a year ago and ahead lies the thrill of a new season with countless possibilities and hopes. Unfortunately, also gone are graduated seniors Sydnei Moss, Coastal's eighth all-time leading scorer, who led the Chants in scoring over the past three years and Katie Whitethe owner of every Coastal Carolina shot blocking record.
"Right now, we don't have any one person that will replace those two players," said LeForce. "We have seven post players and eight perimeter players that are vying for open starting positions. With the new style of play we are going to run this year, the players that can get the job done will be playing significant minutes."
LeForce returns three starters this year including senior guard Olivia Irick who rattled off 16 double-digit scoring performances in 2010-11 on her way to averaging 9.3 points per game. Kira Carter and Shanika Maddox also return to the lineup in 2011-12. Carter averaged 6.2 points and dished out 37 assists running the point in her first year in the Chanticleer teal and black after transferring from Wabash Valley College. Shanika Maddoxstarted 12 games, including 11 of the first 13, before suffering an injury that kept her sidelined for several weeks. Despite the injury, Maddox was able to average 3.1 points and 4.2 rebounds per game.
Coastal also returns seniors Taylor Epley and Courtney Grambley along with sophomores Angelica Henry, Alexx Puckett, Katelyn Connor and Kayla Cook. Epley is slated to transition from power forward to center this season after averaging 11.8 minutes and 2.8 points as a junior. Grambley, a forward, corralled 3.0 rebounds a year ago. Henry, a point guard, saw significant time during Coastal's run of conference play and led the offensive attack with a career-high nine points at Gardner-Webb. Puckett, sizeable forward, averaged 8.5 minutes along with 2.1 points during her freshman campaign. Cook scored 96 total points as she connected on 37 attempts as a freshman from her shooting guard position.
The six newcomers look to make an immediate impact for the Chanticleers, as several starting positions are up for grabs. The freshman group includes Shatia Cole, DJ Hunter and Keyaurna Wilson from Myrtle Beach High School - the winners of the past two South Carolina state championships. Savanah Pippin starts her collegiate career after finishing interscholastic competition as Virginia High School's all-time leading shot blocker. Jena Hamrick, a sharpshooter from Indiana, along with AJ Jordan, a Tennessee Sports Writers Association All-State team member, round out the Chanticleer class. Together the six comprise one of the most heralded single recruiting classes in LeForce's tenure.
Over the next 39 days LeForce and staff will have 29 practices to prepare the Chanticleers for their season opener against Southern Virginia on Nov. 11.
The squeaks and thuds will start anew on Monday at 6 p.m.
