Defense is the Key for Youthful Women鈥檚 Team
Taking stock of her team entering its farewell season in the Southland Conference, Samantha Morrow sees just that. A team. 鈥淲e don鈥檛 have any superstars,鈥� says Morrow, who鈥檚 in her fifth season as women鈥檚 basketball coach. 鈥淏ut I feel like we鈥檙e going to be very deep.鈥� The freshman class is led by 5-foot-11 guard Eboni Watkins (San Antonio Wagner), who suffered a torn ACL in the state high school tournament but hopes to return by Christmas. Krioni Bruce, a 5鈥�9 forward from Mesquite, and 5鈥�8 guard Chauntandra Williams from Lufkin are also in the fold. Briana Walker, a 6-foot forward, returns as a sophomore after a strong freshman campaign that featured several double-digit scoring and rebounding games. Juniors Sabreena DeNure and Kiara Parker and sophomores Michelle Rodriguez and Malaika Green will anchor the backcourt. Sophomore forward Desherra Nwanguma also has made strides. Despite a roster that doesn鈥檛 have a senior, Morrow likes the upside. 鈥淚f everything goes as planned, Briana Walker should become a recognizable name, and I think potentially Kiara Parker is going to be very good for us.鈥� Morrow is counting on DeNure and Green to run the point and drive the lane. But the team鈥檚 identity will be built on its ability to protect the basket. 鈥淭hey know that鈥檚 what I love,鈥� Morrow says. 鈥淚f they want to play, they are going to have to play some defense.鈥� A challenging nonconference schedule includes games at Arkansas, Oklahoma State, and 糖心Vlog视频 Tech. Visit for the schedule. 鈥淲e realize that we have to play more as a team this year,鈥� she says. 鈥淲e need to be more cohesive and not depend on one or two people. Everybody has to pull her part of the聽load.鈥�