With the return of 3 players from last years team, the 2017-2018 Lady Jets basketball team prepares for their season opener at home this Wednesday November 1st against Southwestern Kansas at 5:00pm at the Maybee Center. The Lady Jets come into the season unranked nationally but are looking to surpise people and prove their skill. They come into the season having had a couple scrimmages to get ready for the season including, Northwestern State University, and a few games at the Mid-America Classic in Lawrence Kansas.
Returning for the Lady Jets are Taylor Sylvester (Chickasha, OK), McKenna Pulley (Newkirk, OK), and Kammi Gruber (Enid, OK). These 3 girls look to step up and lead the young, new team. Joining the 3 sophomores will be transfer sophomore Andi Pierce (Garber, OK).
"Taylor is bringing back alot of expericence for us, she had alot of minutes last year and has done a great job in the offseason of developing her game. Kammi and McKenna are the only other returns on the roster and we have really been proud of the significant development they have made between last year and this year with not only their ability on the court, but their willingness to step in as leaders with this team. It's going to be fun watching them and the progress they have made, I think they are going to impress alot of people this year. Andi brings in a lot of great experience from playing Division I basketball. That kind of experience will pay off when we get in the trenches of tough battles, especially here early in the year. She can score alot of different ways and plays good defense." - Coach Scott Morris
Coach Morris brought in 8 freshman this year and the coaching staff is excited to see what these underclassmen can do. Underclassmen include; Euresia Brown (Edmond, OK), Tanara Combs (Fairview, OK), Jacie Engler (Wright City, OK), Coltyn Harrill (Newkirk, OK), Lexi Large (Rush Springs, OK), Addi Meeker (Cashion, OK), Kristan Molina (Marland, OK) and Macie Jo Pierce (Locust Grove, OK).
"We have a good group of freshman that are all still trying to find their identity at this level. That's part of the fun, getting everybody in here and going through that process. A lot of them have shown a lot of potential and have been pleasant to be around as individuals and a lot of fun to coach. We are really looking forward to seeing how each of them responds to the intensisty of game night"- Coach Scott Morris
The Lady Jets came into last season ranked 22nd in the nation and ended with a record of 24-7. They finished 2nd in the conference and were the runner-ups in the region II tournament falling to Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College.
"I am very optimistic about this upcoming season. This years team has a lot of potential, this is a group that has proven to come in, work hard and buy-in to what we are asking them to do. I think if they continute to do that we will see alot of development during the year and I think we will be a continder in our region and hopefully on the national level." - Coach Scott Morris
"I think we have alot of chemistry on the team this year. I am more confident this year and I am ready to step into a sophomore leadership role and help lead the team."- Taylor Sylvester
"I feel alot more confident in not only myself but in the team this year. We have a lot of talent and we are ready to go! My expectations for this sesson are to win as many games as we can and to be the best leader for this team as I can be."- Kammi Gruber
"I am thrilled about my first college game tomorrow! I'm not gonna lie I'm a little nervous but I'm pretty prepared. I know I have to start focusing now so I will be 100% ready come game time"- Euresia Brown
"I am nervous and excited about my first college game. The biggest difference in college and high school basketball is the pace of the game. You run alot more in college than in high school, with a 30 second shot clock it makes the game go by alot faster."- Jacie Engler