 First game scheduled at home Nov. 9 vs East Central
CLARKSDALE – Lurking beneath the high praise Coach LaCole Brooks showers on her Lady Tiger basketball team for their competitiveness, hard work, quickness, and discipline are her occasional remarks that “they can be rascals.”
“Actually they are a fun bunch to coach – always testing their limits,” she says.
In her third year coaching and increasing wins for Coahoma Community College’s women, Brooks predicts better offensive rebounding and consistency in 2009.
“They also are a better defensive team,” she says
Three players are eligible to be point guard, according to the coach.
“All three are capable; we’re just looking for the best leader,” says Brooks.
Their first test comes soon – Monday, November 9, at home against East Central Community College.
With only two sophomores – Nakita Kimble, (5-8) of Charleston and Jonnetta Robinson (5-9) of Coahoma County- returning, the team has 10 freshmen including an international player from Holland – Lisa de Ruijter,(5-3) who was recruited as a good college player by a coach friend touring Europe.
Brooks says Lisa fits right in with her American teammates.
“They are a close-knit, cohesive, and bonded group – like sisters,” says Brooks. “Most of them live on campus.”
Brooks is especially proud of their academics which she says is tops on campus.
“Last year two of our players had 3.8 grade point averages and two with 3.5 gpa,” she said.
In addition to study hall once a week, Brooks “pops in” unannounced on classes and keeps tabs on her Tigers outside practice.
“They know I’m watching them,” Brooks says with a smile.
Practice started in October, but conditioning/weight training three times a week, and distance running began in August.
“They are in good shape,” she says. “A lot of high school players do not realize that college athletics requires great endurance.”
“It’s preventive medicine,” she says.
Brooks said her team recently scrimmaged with a team of local women led by former Ole Miss standout Deborah Temple, who was one of the country’s leading scorers.
“It was a close contest; I think our team was surprised at how good they were,” says Brooks. She says the Lady Tigers are ready for the season to begin.
In addition to Kimble, Robinson, and de Ruijter, other Lady Tigers are Mercedes Morrow (5-11) and Sherra Payno, (5-4) both of Rosa Fort, Eurekia Nunnally (6-0) of Craigmont; Corlissa Pope ( 5-8) of Armwood; Jasmine Walker (5-7) of Gentry; Malea Malone (5-10) of Germantown; Kyla Winford (5-9) of Greenville-Weston; and Shereka Griffin (5-5) and Lucretta Turner, (5-7) both of Coahoma Aggie.
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