Lady Pilots match LSUS single season win record in 2006-2007
March 01, 2007
Shreveport, LA--- Looking back on the season that was, many people will see that the LSUS Lady Pilots finished with a 13-15 overall record throughout the 2006-2007 season, and just hope for a better result next year. But there is much more to be said for the Lady Pilots and Head Coach Ronnie Howell who tied an LSUS women’s basketball single season wins record with 13 victories, despite facing one of the toughest schedules in the NAIA.
The Lady Pilots earned the No. 5 seed in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament after finishing 9-9 throughout the regular season, marking their first season .500 season in conference play since entering the GCAC.
LSUS saw their season come to end Wednesday night after suffering a 78-65 loss at the hands of the University of Mobile Lady Rams (20-11), in the GCAC Tournament Quarter Finals. UM had been ranked as high as No. 19 in the NAIA national rankings in 2007, and have a legitimate shot at capturing the 2007 GCAC Tournament Championship, and representing the GCAC at the NAIA National Tournament.
Of the Lady Pilots 15 losses on the year, nine came against opponents who at one point were ranked among the Top 25 teams in the country; No. 4 Lubbock Christian University (23-4); No. 21 Loyola University (23-8); No. 21 Xavier University (22-10); No. 19 University of Mobile (20-11); No. 25 Southern University of New Orleans (17-7); with another loss coming at the hands of NCAA Division III Southwest Conference East Division Champion East Texas Baptist University (22-5).
The Lady Pilots dropped two overtime decisions (64-61 against SUNO; 60-59 against William Carey College), and were on the losing end of four games which were decided by five points or less.
Road victories have never been easy to come by for the Lady Pilots who are just 13-48 away from The Dock since 2003. However, the Lady Pilots matched an LSUS record four road victories, including three road wins in GCAC play; yet another LSUS record.
The Lady Pilots also posted two player’s to the 2007 GCAC All-Conference Team; Jessica “JK” Kelly, and Edie Leonards. Leonards was also selected as the GCAC Newcomer of the Year; an award that Kelly received in 2006.
As a junior, Leonards averaged 10.3 points and led the Lady Pilots in rebounding averaging 6.0 per game. The Hackberry, LA native also posted the first ever Triple-Double in LSUS Basketball history with a 16 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists performance against Dillard University February 1st, 2007.
JK, a 5’8 senior guard from Bossier City, LA led the Lady Pilots in scoring for the second straight season, averaging 11.9 points per game. She also led the Lady Pilots in three pointers made (30), steals (59), and blocked shots (13).
Kelly is one of two seniors who will graduate from the Pilots program this season. Second year senior Moche Roche also completed her fourth season of eligibility in 2007. She started 17 games and averaged 4.3 points while dishing out 63 assists from the point guard position.
The 2007-2008 season will welcome the return of three year forward Kacie Cryer who averaged 11.8 points per game in ‘06’07. The combination of Cryer and Leonards along with a very athletic and talented group of lower classman boasts well for the opportunity for the Lady Pilots to make a charge at the top of the GCAC standings next season.
Congratulations Lady Pilots on a very competitive and exciting year of women’s basketball!
