Photo: Matt Boggs | The Sentinel
Taylor Blackmon, Staff Writer
To prepare for the 2014-15 season, the Kennesaw State women’s basketball team was active in creating team chemistry in efforts to build on last year’s campaign, which ended in a first-round loss in the Atlantic Sun Conference tournament.
Along with getting better, faster, and stronger, head coach Nitra Perry concentrated on bringing her team together on and off the court. “Building relationships was the focus of our staff [for the off season],” Perry said.
The team motto for this season is “We’re All We Got, We’re All We Need.” The staff, which includes assistant coaches Stacey Franklin, Janie Mitchell and Talvis Franklin, felt that cultivating relationships with the girls would make them play their hardest on the court. “Making sure the players know we care about them will make them go out [on the court] and give it their all,” said Perry.
The off-season brought more than a new mindset for the Owls. It also brought the addition of several new faces in Karly Frye, Clara Young, Neffie Lockley, Tianna Germain, Katie Polinsky and Jasmine McAllister.
The first official team practice was Oct. 5 and, thus far, the Owls’ practices have been directed at execution and communication. During this time, the coaches are developing a feel for the players, and the players are trying to figure out what the coaches want. “As they’re trying to learn me, I’m trying to learn them,” Perry said.
With the addition of so many new faces, forming trust on the court will be a process for the Owls. “[We need to] be patient with each other and meet each other half way,” Perry explained.
Perry noted that the leadership from senior guard Bria Young will be especially important for the production of the team this season. “She contributes by doing all the small things we need,” Perry said. “She talks and keeps the team up, and those things matter.”
Newcomers Frye and McAllister both come from Walters State Community College in Morristown, Tennessee. They bring experience from a well-marked junior college and will bring a new level of play to the court for the Lady Owls. “They have instant chemistry, which we needed,” says Perry.
With their skill set at the point guard and forward positions, Frye and McAllister will also compliment returning guards and leading scorers Kristina Wells and Deandrea Sawyers. “With adding firepower to Kristina Wells and Deandrea Sawyers, we felt like we got a lot better,” Perry said.
In the 2013-14 season the Owls’ record was 6-24. Though the team’s record indicated an adverse season, Wells and Sawyers served as the bright spots for the Owls as they averaged 15.3 and 12.6 points per game, respectively.
Freshmen forward Neffie Lockley from Aurora, Colorado has also made a huge impact in the first few weeks of practice. “We’ve tried our best to be a family away from her family,” Perry states. On the court, Lockley identifies herself as a defensive specialist. Perry compliments Lockley’s persistent efforts. “She’s a hard worker [who has] been really trying really hard in practice and bringing a positive attitude every day.”
Perry also described the 6-foot-3 freshman post player from Gainesville, Fla., Katie Polinsky as a very skilled kid.
Returning to the roster from the 2013-14 season will be Kelly Dulkoski, Wells, Valescia Dixon, Bria Young, Breonna Mosley, Katie Hunt, Aareon Smith, Chloe’ Branch and Sawyers. With the addition of the aforementioned new players, the Owls’ will look forward to a fresh start this season. “We feel as though we have enough pieces to help us be successful,” Perry said.
The Owls will begin their campaign on Nov. 8 with an exhibition against Emory, before officially opening the 2014-15 season at home against the College of Charleston on Nov. 14 at 7 p.m.
