By Damali Thomas
Montgomery, AL- As the weather starts to get colder and the nights get longer, every sports enthusiast starts to realize what that mean—college basketball is back in action. Huntingdon College women’s basketball has been gearing up for the season since April. After finishing last season 20-7, with a loss to Piedmont in the USA South quarterfinal game, the returners established a high standard early for the new incoming players. Eight workouts three days a week, pickup games twice a week, and conditioning circuits have set the tone for the upcoming season. The women started the season with their annual inner squad scrimmage, to challenge each other, and allow coaches Buzz Phillips and Paige Huff to see each player react to game scenarios.
Under the leadership of senior Juliette Harp, the Lady Hawks hope to return to the USA South conference tournament and leave as champions. Harp, a four-year starter for the Lady Hawks, was named First-Team All-Conference last season averaging 15.3 points and 11.8 rebounds per game. When asked about her goals for the team this season she stated, “Essentially, I want to win a ring, because who wouldn’t want that? But in all I want to help shape and mold a team that will be good or better without me after I graduate because as a senior that’s what you’re supposed to do. I want to help them develop a relationship with each other so that when I’m not there to answer their questions next year, they’ll have people to go to that will have the answers. But of course, the main goal is to have fun and enjoy athletics at the collegiate level. For a lot of them it’s their first year and that can either make or break a player. I want them to realize that it’s not all about the playing time, it’s about the hard work and memories you make with one another because in the end that’s all you’ll have left to remember”.
The Lady Hawks will travel to take on Faulkner University in an exhibition match November 4th at 7PM CDT. Go and support your Hawks as they take on across town rival in their first showing for the 2017-2018 season!
All rights reserved, Gumptown Magazine. Copyright 2017.
