By: Jake Miller
HARTSVILLE, S.C.- The Coker women's basketball team was picked ninth in the South Atlantic Conference preseason poll in Shannon Johnson's second year as Head Coach, the league announced today. Wingate took the top spot in the poll with a total of 119 points.
Checking the Rearview Mirror
Johnson has not altered her expectations from her first year as Head Coach. The Cobras put up a nine-win season highlighted by eight wins within the South Atlantic Conference.
"We want to be more effective in the conference over a long period of time, as far as being consistent with our wins," said Johnson.
Starters in Key Roles
The Cobras will lean heavily on two returning starters in junior guard Kendra Lambert and senior forward Terrika Foster. As a sophomore, Lambert averaged 10.5 points and 2.2 rebounds per game last season, notching double-figure scoring 12 times. Foster played and started in all 28 games last season and averaged 8.1 points per game along with 6.0 rebounds per game.
"They played a lot of minutes last year, and I want to get more out of them in the minutes they are playing," said Johnson.
Hungry from the Opening Tip
Johnson also spoke very highly of her first recruiting class here at Coker, which presents a mix of youth and experience with some freshmen and some transfers. She spoke well of several individuals, including transfer Iresha Cooper.
"I think Iresha Cooper will be good for a double-double per game," said Johnson.
She also spoke very highly of how they blend in with her returning roster.
"I feel like the guards that we have brought back and the newcomers make a good mesh for us to be effective," said Johnson.
She stated that part of the goal with her first recruiting class was to build around her returning talent. Johnson brought in a total of 10 new players, including seven freshmen.
"I know what I can get from my returning players, now I am just trying to build around them," said Johnson.
She added that some of her recruits will help improve the dynamic of how the team plays.
"What I really want is to be more consistent throughout the whole game," said Johnson.
The Road Ahead
The Cobras begin the season at the Stokes-Trainor Conference Challenge, where they take on Conference Carolinas members Limestone and Belmont Abbey on Nov. 11 and Nov. 12. The Cobras play their home opener Nov. 14 against UNC Pembroke before opening their SAC schedule at home against Catawba on Nov. 22. The month of November concludes with a non-conference contest at Augusta on Nov. 29. The month of December starts with a three-game road trip within the South Atlantic Conference. Coker will travel to Lincoln Memorial (Dec. 2), Brevard (Dec. 10) and Queens (Dec. 12) before coming home to take on Anderson on Dec. 14. The last two games of December are at Tusculum (Dec. 17) and home for a second date with Belmont Abbey on Dec. 19.
The Cobras ring in the New Year with a Jan. 4 date with Wingate in Hartsville, before traveling to Mars Hill (Jan. 7) and Newberry (Jan. 11). The Cobras then come home for three straight with Carson-Newman (Jan. 14), Lenoir-Rhyne (Jan. 18) and Lincoln Memorial (Jan. 21). The Cobras end January going to Catawba on Jan. 25 and playing Brevard at home on Jan. 28.
The Cobras begin the month of February playing Queens at home on Feb. 1, before hitting the road for games at Anderson (Feb. 4) and Lenoir-Rhyne (Feb. 8). Coker hosts Tusculum on Feb. 11 and travels to Wingate on Feb. 15, before playing its two final home games against Mars Hill (Feb. 18) and Newberry (Feb. 22). The Cobras will conclude the regular season at Carson-Newman on Feb. 25.
"I think that December stretch will be tough for us, on the road for four games, and then to turn around and play Anderson at home, and then on the road again at Tusculum. It will be tough, but a learning process for us also," said Johnson.
The Cobras open the season Nov. 11 at the Stokes-Trainor Conference Challenge when they take on Limestone. Opening tip is set for 2:00 p.m. at Newberry's Eleazer Arena.