Women’s basketball working on COVID comeback
By Shelbie Summerlin | Sports writer
Augusta University women’s basketball is gearing up for the upcoming season and has big goals to accomplish.
In the limited games last season due to COVID-19, AU finished fifth in the Peach Belt Conference standings with a 5-5 league record and just missed the post-season tournament. The Jaguars are hoping to improve on that this coming season and are working out in the preseason. They are conditioning and doing individual drills.
“This upcoming year we want to finish in the top three of the conference,” said AU women’s Coach Millette Green.
Green knows the team faced a lot of adversity last year, but she said the team adjusted well and improved throughout the season.
“I thought we did a good job of improving, despite everything we went through,” said Green.
Green also said last years struggles taught her how to adapt as a coach.
“I never knew how many kids would be available,” said Green. “We had 25 days to practice and play games. We only practiced maybe three days out of those 25 days. We never had ten players to fully practice.”
After last season’s conflicted COVID season, Green is ready to get back into the swing of things, but things aren’t starting off completely as planned.
“Pre-season has started off a little rocky, I have half of my team available,” Green said, “As a coaching staff, we’re trying to figure out how to continue to build the kids that have been here and then also bring the players who have missed a week or two up to speed and make sure we do everything in the best interest of our players.”
Green is most looking forward to seeing the experience in her 10 returners and hopes they’re more equipped to handle close games.
“We have two all-conference players returning. Six seniors and one grad student. I feel like we’re a veteran team,” Green said. “We learn from our mistakes. It’s time to take that next step and compete for the championship.”
According to Coach Green, leadership is huge and she expects big things out of senior guard Kiera Howard and sophomore center Kennedi Manning. Howard led the team in assists and steals, while Manning was the leading scorer (12.5 points per game) and rebounder (7.9 boards per game).
“Kiera has developed into the go-to leader for our program,” Green said. “She is our heart and soul and our leader. I think Kennedi Manning can step up in that role as well.”
There are five new players—two NCAA Division I transfers and three freshmen to help the returning squad reach their goals this season. Green is excited about what they can bring to the table.
“I do not look at classification; I look at their ability to get the job done,” said Green.
With the help of the returning players and new additions to the team, the Jaguars are working towards their season opener this fall.
Contact Shelbie Summerlin at SSUMMERLIN@augusta.edu.
November Morton shows her form during a shooting session for the AU women’s basketball team at Christenberry Fieldhouse. At the top of the page, freshman Je’Bria Fullwood works on her form. (photos by Shelbie Summerlin)
