Lady Pilots Set to Tip-off 2008-09 Season
November 03, 2008
Following four consecutive 13-win seasons, the LSUS women’s basketball program enters the 2008-09 season with high hopes of surpassing that win total and making school history in the process.
The Lady Pilots return three starters this season, including senior post players Janai Sells and Quan Joseph. Sells, a preseason All-GCAC selection, is the team’s leading returner in both scoring (9.3 PPG) and rebounds (5.8 RPG). Joseph was a key contributor last season, averaging 7.2 points and 5.6 rebounds per game, while shooting a team-high 52% from the field. Sophomore Whitney Hollins also returns after one of the most successful freshman campaigns in school history. Hollins led the Lady Pilots in three-point shooting last year, connecting on 52 three pointers and scoring 7.7 points per game.
The return of several key players has LSUS Head Coach Ronnie Howell very optimistic for the upcoming season.
“We should be pretty solid with two seniors returning in the post, along with several other players who played a lot of minutes and gained valuable experience last season,” said Howell. “We lost our leading scorer from last year (Edie Leonards), but we are looking for Whitney Hollins to fill that void and have more of a scoring role this year.”
Six other letter-winners are back this season, led by senior Jamien Arvie. Arvie started in 18 contests last season and has worked hard this offseason to improve her game. Junior Tish Flowers is back for her third season in a Lady Pilots uniform, and will look to fill an expanded role this season. Sophomores Callie Davis, Amanda Perkins and Fawn Hutto also return following their freshman seasons in which they all contributed, and they will provide much needed depth to the Lady Pilots roster this season.
Three newcomers join the Lady Pilots roster this season, headlined by junior college transfer Valerie Huizar. Huizar comes to LSUS after playing the last two seasons at Lon Morris College, where she averaged 10 points and 4 assists per game her sophomore year. Two high school standouts, Ricosha Kindells and Nene Warren, will begin their college careers at LSUS this season. Kindells, a graduate of Southwood High School, averaged 11 points per game her senior season, while winning three state championships as a member of the Lady Cowboys. Warren prepped at Shongaloo High School where she was the school’s all-time leading scorer with 2,710 career points. The Class B All-State player and District MVP averaged 30 points and 19.5 rebounds per game during her senior year.
Coach Howell and his staff have put together a team that they feel can win a lot of games this season and potentially make their mark on the program’s history.
“I like our size and athleticism in the post, and I think our guards will be able to open things up inside with their ability to shoot the basketball,” added Howell. “We are very excited about our returning players, as well as the newcomers. We lost three very good players from last year’s team, but we feel like we will be competitive night in and night out this year.”
LSUS will tip-off the 2008-09 season on Tuesday night in an exhibition contest versus UL-Lafayette. Tuesday’s game is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. and will be played at the Cajundome on the ULL campus.
