In the words of the 1980s hair band Whitesnake, "Here we go again..."
Granted that lyric entails more, but it's time once again for the return of Georgia College basketball to Milledgeville for the 2010/2011 campaign!
Friday, Nov. 11, starts hopefully a long and joyful journey to the NCAA postseason in early March for the Bobcat women and men.
First year head coach Mo Smith of the women's team is first up on the slated schedule. His 'Cats travel to Anderson, SC to battle the Trojans of Anderson University in the season's opening night in a non conference matchup!
Georgia College is fresh off a 21 and 8 season that saw them win the Peach Belt Conference West Division. Unfortunately, GC just missed out on the national tourney after such a successful year.
The Trojans, on the other hand, have been in postseason glory for quite some time. Anderson has made the NCAA Tournament seven straight seasons dating back to 2004. Last year, AU posted a 20 and 11 mark, while winning three games in a row in the conference tournament to claim the Conference Carolinas title, earning an automatic bid to the 'Big Dance.'
Smith will return some wonderful talent this year in senior guards Chimere Jordan and Dominique Huffin, both which will anchor much of a guard heavy scoring attack. With the loss of point guard Shandrea Moore to graduation, GC will welcome in transfer sophomore point guard Karisma Boykin from DI Jacksonville State to run the show. Boykin netted a team high 20 points in the teams only official exhibtion against DI Mercer a short week ago in a 67 to 57 victory. Jordan posted 18 points, while Huffin knocked in 15 respectively.
With the back court relatively set for GC this year, the post positions will be up the air, however. The Bobcats lost all conference center Antoinette Reames last season along with Moore, again due to graduation. This time around, the squad does return junior forward Tammeshia Law, but the other post position is still vacant. With incoming freshman such as Abby "Cuz" Slocumb and Krysta Lewis, the Bobcats should be able to play a "post by committee" this year.
Therefore, with key returners and and hard working incoming class, the 2010/2011 slate looks to be an exciting one!
Here are come keys to look for in the season opener at Anderson:
1) REBOUNDING: With Reames gone, how well and efficient can the Bobcats rebound the basketball? Last season GC was 10th in the PBC in rebounds per game at 39.5. Rebounding is imperative, especially on the defensive end.
2) TRANSITION DEFENSE: How well can the Bobcats move from offense to defense, stopping an Anderson team that looks to score early and often in transition? Getting back on defense, stopping the basketball, and keeping the Trojans to one shot per possession is crucial.
3) SENIOR LEADERSHIP: This is now the team of Huffin, Jordan, back up point guard Jessica Baker and sharpshooter Mandi Dudish (who has been battling injury over the past year or so). How well these four ladies communicate on the court with their teammates will tell how far the Bobcats go this season.
4) FREE THROWS: Early season jitters can cause a player to alter his/her shot and sometimes not recover from a bad start. Consequently, free throws are an even tougher battle due to the mental aspect of the shot. Knocking down free tosses early and late in the contest should put the Bobcats on top.
Other stories will unfold in Coach Smiths first game at the helm.
And we hope you join us for those stories on Friday night at 6:50. Tune in to the radio broadcast from Anderson on AM 1450 in Milledgeville or online at www.country102fm.com (Listen Live...WMVG link).
I will be calling the game with Georgia College sports information grad assistant Brian DeCandia, who will add color commentary.
A new era of Bobcat women's basketball is upon us! Talk with you from the Palmetto state!
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