Excitement surrounds the 2008-09 edition of the Millsaps College women's basketball squad. With a blend of veteran presence and youthful energy, the main goal for this year's squad is to win its first conference championship together.
With all five starters returning to the floor and the addition of seven newcomers, third-year head coach Mary Bolton now has more depth and talent to work with than ever. The only thing holding back the Majors will be staying healthy and eliminating turnovers.
“We have a great combination of returning players who are now more experienced at playing at the collegiate level,” Bolton said. Our newcomers will make an immediate impact to the team and I feel strongly about us winning a SCAC Championship this season.”
A big part of any success this season will rely on the play of the five seniors on the team. Crystal Dickerson, Tiffany Whitmore, LaReina Adams, Jessica Bowie and Amber King return to the team hungry and as more experienced basketball players. Dickerson and Adams have been at the core of the offensive scoring for the team for the last three years, while Whitmore made an immediate impact for the Majors after transferring from Louisiana State-Eunice last season.
Dickerson averaged a team-best 12.2 points and 7.8 rebounds in 24 games and was second to fellow classmate Whitmore in field goals made. Whitmore, who averaged 11.8 points, led the team with 71 assists. At 6-foot-2, Bowie has been strong for the Majors in the post, averaging 9.4 points and grabbing 8.3 rebounds per game (fourth in the SCAC). Her 53 blocks ranked third in the conference overall, while her 2.79 bpg ranked first.
Adams has been a force on both ends of the court, averaging 10.4 points and 8.1 rebounds per game a year ago. Adams has totaled 18 double-doubles in her career thus far, tallying 11 in 2006-07 to lead the conference and seven in 2007-08.
“I am looking forward to seeing some big contributions from my seniors this year,” Bolton said. “This is their last chance to shine on the court and I have a feeling they will step up their game and play really aggressive basketball.”
Setting up the plays offensively for Millsaps will be sophomore point guard Cori Tucker. According to Bolton, Tucker is one of the best at setting up the offensive schemes that have been drawn up for the team. “No one can beat Cori at setting up the plays at the point guard position. She is one of the best out there.”
After playing in all 25 games as a true freshman and earning the start in 22, Ronda Webb also returns to the Majors' lineup after shooting 46 percent from the floor. A lockdown defender who can also score at will, Webb ranked second on the team in steals with 38, while averaging just over 8.1 ppg.
As for the newcomers on the team, there will be many chances for them to contribute early. Some of the names to watch out for are Janice Okeke, Olivia Coats, Brittany Ussin, Morgan Shell, Ashton Foust and Chloe Carr. Both Okeke and Coats will help the Majors immediately on offense, with their speed impacting the transitional/fast break opportunities. Shell and Foust will bring intensity and energy to the team, while Carr is a big post player that has a great shot from beyond the 3-point arc.
“No spot on this team is secure and I expect for many of my newcomers to play quality minutes and even get into the starting line-up this year,” Bolton said.
Another new thing to the basketball team this year is the new strength and conditioning program the staff has implemented. “I really feel this new program will help the players last longer on the court and be more dynamic and explosive scoring in games.”
“We have a long way to go to the top, but as long as we are aggressive, stay healthy and play fundamentally sound basketball, then a championship is within our reach. The team is very motivated and hungry, especially our seniors because they know this is their best opportunity to win. They also want to build a program that any young girl would want to be apart of. I am very excited and can't wait for the basketball season to start.”
The 2008-09 slate features 15 away games against 10 home games. The Majors start the season with a four-game road stretch before hosting their first home game against Rust College on Nov. 30 at 5 p.m. They will then host their first conference game against Hendrix College on Dec. 6 at 3 p.m. This year's conference tournament is back in Conway, Ark., for a second season from Feb. 27 – March 1.
