Coastal Bend Women's Basketball is coming off a very up and down season.  There were many highs and just as many lows.  The team won five conference games for first time in school history but also had to forfeit four overall games.  The 2019-2020 year features 11 second year players, eight with game experience and three who red-shirted the 2018-2019 season.  "These kids are tough because of what happened last season.  All 11 returners have had to fight for this team and with this program an entire year."  There was plenty of adversity last season, but the Cougars qualified to play against Paris Junior College in a play in game for the regional tournament.  All eleven of these players watched the first day of the tournament so hopefully that created a hunger.  Along with the eleven sophomores, the team features six new freshman from Texas that should make for a deeper roster and create a more competitive practice environment.  "Every practice matters 100 fold to the games because if you can't do it in practice you sure can't do it in games." Said Coach Purswell.

 

The eleven returners saw eight who played minutes, and seven who started in at least one game.  Playing in all 31 games was Jada Mitchell who was Honorable Mention All Conference last season and averaged 10.9 PPG along with 1.9 APG, 4.3 RPG, and 1.6 SPG.  Cassie Hogan played in 19 games after a fall injury and averaged 11.3 PPG on 35.6 3PT%, she also grabbed 3.8 RPG.  Aubrey Guerra from Pleasanton averaged 10.5 PPG and 3.9 RPG on 33.6 FG%, 31.7 3PT%, and 87 FT% before a late season injury sidelined her the last seven games.  She is set to return in early December hopefully.  Marley Martinez from San Diego Texas saw significant minutes and started in five games averaging 8.1 PPG.  Tianie Johnson missed nine games in the fall but became a strong post presence averaging 5 PPG and 5 RPG.  Rosalie Hansen, Olivia Chisolm, and Sammie Santos also saw minutes and contributed greatly to last seasons team, and came back for more.  Aneth Jimenez, Justiss Brooks, and Essence Richards all redshirted last season and have really bought in and will give us much more depth and experience at certain positions.  The six freshman coming in also add depth.  Two at the post, Candice Ellison a 6'0 post from Corpus Christi King High School and Khristina Dupree a 6'0 post from Sam Rayburn High School in Houston.  Jada Sheridan and Brianna Martinez from San Antonio and Edinburg respectively bring on and off ball guard help to the team.  Liz Hicks from San Antonio and Brianna Castellano from San Marcos added length to the forward position.

 

The 2019-2020 team will have eight players who saw action and played minutes.  11 players who have ran the offense and were able to play in the system and be in the program.  Purswell returns 49.2 PPG and 21.8 RPG.  Four of the top 35 scorers in the league and two of the top seven 3 point shooters back as well.  The team features a lot more maturity and experience from last season.  The best part is how competitive and tough these players are.  In the first five practices we have been very upbeat and competitive.  They also got to play seven games against teams that were in the national tournament last season.

 

Head Coach Nathan Purswell on the upcoming season: "The schedule is brutal in just Region XIV alone there will be at least two or three national tournament teams.  We also play South Plains CC a final four team from last year and add Odessa College who played in the national tournament.  The schedule features all NJCAA Divison 1 schools ranging from Kansas to Louisiana.  Also in the 18 conference games for Region 14 we see the likes of Trinity Valley CC who has been in the national championship three out of the last five years.  Tyler JC returns a solid core. Angelina College lost a National Player of The Year to the next level, but will have their team ready to roll, Panola brings back a good group, Kilgore College who is always tough, a well oiled Paris JC team, and Bossier Parish CC and Jacksonville College who are always ready to go.  There will be a ton of talent and some really good basketball being played in Beeville this year and all over Texas.  We have looked the part in practices and early on this year.  The kids are working their tails off and as their coaches know whatever experiences may come up, we are going to be tough and fight for each other and Coastal Bend."

 

The Cougars first Home game will be on Friday, November 8th when Howard College heads into town for a 5:00 PM showdown at the Peter S. Marecek Physical Fitness Center.