AU women's basketball gears up for season opener
By Shelbie Summerlin | Sports writer
Last season, Augusta University’s women’s basketball finished the season 6-8 overall and 5-5 in conference, placing fifth in the Peach Belt standings.
The Jaguars just missed the post-season tournament. Needless to say, it was a difficult season with a lot of adversity.
“The biggest challenge last year was healthy bodies,” said Coach Millette Green. “We missed 50 days of the season. Leading up to our next game, we never had enough players to practice.”
As of now, Green has 13 players available for practice, which “makes a huge difference. It’s not a lot of kids having to take a lot of reps and playing games. Now I feel like it’s not enough reps for everybody.”
Green wants to improve the Jaguars’ record this season and wants her offense to show out, believing that will be key to achieving the team’s goals.
“I think that starts with increasing our scoring, our offensive production,” said Green. “I have a nucleus that can score the basketball, and I told my team I think our increase in our scoring is going to come from our defense creating transition baskets, getting stops, rebounds, pushing people over and scoring.”
Green knows the squad she has this season is determined to compete, and her defense will be the backbone of the Jaguars.
“Our defense is our juice,” said Green, “so we understand that if we stay together and be able to change up our defenses, we can do great things. Holding teams to under 55 (points) is going to be huge for us.”
A lot of veteran players make up Green’s crew for the 2021-2022 season. She trusts them and knows they will be able to understand what she wants out of them. The newcomers are picking up things quickly and learn fast.
“I feel like we’re in a good place right now,” said Green. “I love their energy and effort and competing. I think the kids wanna win. Now they’ve gotta come out and produce and show what they’ve been working on.”
The AU women’s basketball will host the PBC/Carolinas Crossover this weekend at Christenberry Fieldhouse. The Jaguars open up Friday night, Nov. 12, against Southern Wesleyan University. Tipoff is set for 8:30.
Kennedi Manning was Augusta’s leader in both scoring (12.5 points per game) and rebounding (7.9 boards per contest) last season. Zairya West added 11.9 points per game. Both are back for the 2021-22 campaign.
Contact Shelbie Summerlin at ssummerlin@augusta.edu.
Tomiyah Alford (12) shoots during a recent AU women’s basketball practice: Alford is a transfer from Morehead State. At the top of the page, the Jaguars’ Jaelyn Autman receives a pass from Mone Florence. (photos by Shelbie Summerlin)
