Region champs ready to kick off season
Matt Wilhalme
It is back to the court for the reigning Region I Women’s Basketball team at MCC.Head Coach Kori Stephenson has her group practicing hard for this season; many of the players have actually been working together since June.
“The team learned a lot last season about what it takes to get to the National Tournament, and the level of play required to become a champion. There was a lot of bonding and overall it was just a lot of fun and a great experience for the kids,” Stephenson said.
Her team fought through the tough season last year and dealt with a number of injuries in the middle of the season but never made any excuses, Stephenson said.
Stephenson has high expectations of her athletes because she only recruits players with strong work ethic.
“We are going to have to bring it every day,” Stephenson said, “The harder you work the luckier you get, and you get lucky you win a championship.”
There are seven returning players from last season’s championship team with one transfer student and eight new freshman players.
There is also one more player who actually walked on to the team this season.
The veteran players are helping to keep the freshman players in check, they do not let them slip up, Stephenson said.
“We have a good class coming in, athletic and good kids,” Stephenson said.
The toughest part for freshman players coming into an athletic program is the discipline transition, on the court and in the classroom, Stephenson said.
“If we work hard then we’re ok. They can have 67 turnovers but, as long as were working hard then were ok,” Stephenson said.
The Mesa Women’s Basketball team may be walking around with targets on their backs but that is something they already expect. Teams always bring their best games, from the smallest guards to tallest centers, everyone plays hard against the women’s team, Stephenson said.
Pima’s squad is due to be a challenging opponent this season after an excellent summer of recruiting.
Chandler-Gilbert will not be an easy task either, with their many returning sophomore players, Stephenson said.
The season begins with a number of scrimmages, starting with the ACCAC Jamboree.
Following the scrimmages, the women’s first game will be against Little Big Horn College of Montana on Nov. 1st at home, Stephenson said.
