CONWAY - Spend some time around the Coastal Carolina women's basketball program, and you'll quickly hear the phrase "Coastal Chaos" echoing through the HTC Center. The team adopted that motto last season, and it led to one of the most successful campaigns in program history.
Their 23 wins were the second-most ever by a Coastal women's team. The Chants knocked down 240 three-pointers, setting a new program record. Defensively, they forced just over 20 turnovers per game — the most in the Sun Belt Conference. The result? Their first-ever appearance in the Sun Belt Tournament semifinals, followed by their first trip to the WNIT.
Now, the team turns the page, looking to maintain that same energy and identity, with 10 new players on the roster.
"They're so fun to coach," said head coach Kevin Pederson, entering his fourth year with Coastal. His 49 wins are the most ever by a head coach through their first three seasons in program history.
"They show up early. We didn't have one player show up late for anything all summer long. They come in with a great attitude."
It was a busy offseason for the Chants, as they graduated five players and lost five more to the transfer portal. Replacing that much talent in one offseason isn't easy, but Pederson believes his staff met the challenge.
"Having to replace that much in one year is not easy to do," Pederson said. "We're really excited about what we've got. Whatever that limit is, this group is going to find it."
Pederson and his staff hit the portal hard, looking for athletes who fit their style—fast, aggressive, and hungry.
It began with a pair of Wisconsin transfers, Tessa Grady and D'Yanis Jimenez, who bring experience from the highest level of college basketball. Coastal added more Division I experience in Tracey Hueston (Pitt/Charlotte), Hennessey Luu-Brown (New Orleans/Miami (OH)), and Paige Bradley (TCU/Tulsa). They also brought in Division II standout Tateyoina Harris (Mars Hill) and junior college transfer J'yana Salton (Trinity Valley). The freshman class includes Baylee Lowder, Olivia Klanac, and Kinsea Grimes.
Leading the returners is sharpshooting guard Kristin Williams, who averaged just under 11 points per game last season, third-most on the team. Sophomore guard Dawson Jemerson also returns after appearing in 27 games off the bench as a freshman.
"We're really focusing a lot on what type of shape we're in," Pederson said of preseason practices. "Hopefully, when the season starts, we look like we're shot out of a cannon with our hair on fire."
Last season, the coaching staff added former Division II national championship coach Dennis Cox as the team's defensive coordinator. With Cox's arrival came a new identity.
"That's a big part of the chaos. Can we pressure you enough to get you to do something you don't want to do?" said Pederson. "Coastal Chaos is the bread and butter. It's what we do; it's who we are."
Throughout the summer, Pederson has emphasized the work ethic and mindset required to thrive in the program. He's also leaned on technology and analytics during preseason practices to better evaluate team performance.
"At practice, everything has a number assigned to it," Pederson explained. "When we do a drill, everything is computed, and we're sharing that data with them — watching film, showing them what they're doing."
With an influx of new talent eager to prove itself, Pederson knows it's still too early to project exactly how good this group can be. But for now, it's all about building winning habits.
"Winning sounds a certain way, winning feels a certain way, winning looks a certain way. We're focusing on those things," Pederson added. "Let's focus on the little things."
The Chanticleers will continue preparing through September and October, leading up to their season opener on November 3rd against Miami (OH) at the HTC Center.
"From where we are, we're pleased with the direction we're heading."
For complete coverage of CCU women's basketball, follow the Chants on social media @CoastalWBB (Twitter), facebook.com/CCUChanticleers (Facebook), @GoCCUSports (Instagram), or visit the official home of Coastal Carolina Athletics at www.GoCCUsports.com.
